The Candela P-30 will be the “most energy-efficient fast ship ever built”
The world’s first foiling electric passenger ship will be launched in Stockholm in 2022.
The foiling Candela P-30 will run on an 180-kWh lithium ion battery. Funded jointly by Stockholm technology boat builder Candela and the Swedish transport authority, the P-30 sails on computer-controlled hydrofoils which reduce energy consumption by 80% compared to the best fast ferries of today, said Candela. It explained “This is the key to its long all-electric range at high speeds. The higher service speeds will allow the new P-30 ferry to shuttle more passengers farther and faster than any other electric ship and will be able to service even the longest routes because it can travel more than three hours at 20 knot cruise speeds before recharging.”
Candela’s new 30-passenger ferry P-30 will commence operations next year, with the intention of eventually replacing the city’s ageing fleet of 60 diesel boats that serve commuters and visitors to and from the island archipelago. After sea trials, the P-30 will start commercial operation in 2023.
Candela said in a statement “At its introduction, the foiling P-30 will hold the distinction of setting several world records. It will be the longest-range electric passenger ship, as well as the fastest. But, it will also be the most energy-efficient fast ship ever built.”
The company said the P-30 can also operate in urban waterways at higher speeds than traditional passenger boats because it creates virtually no wake that would otherwise damage nearby vessels or property.
“Today, most of our waterways are unused for mass transit, even though most highways are congested during rush-hour traffic. Opening up urban waterways for high-speed electric transport can revolutionise commuting in cities such as San Francisco, Seoul or Amsterdam – at a very low cost,” said Candela founder and chief executive Gustav Hasselskog. “There’s no need to build new infrastructure.”
The P-30 ferry will use its flight controller, a computer that analyses the boat’s pitch and roll a hundred times a second and automatically adjusts the foils to keep it level above the waves. Thanks to the computer and software, the ride is artificially stable, boosting the comfort of passengers.
A recent report by the municipality of Stockholm estimated that the overall cost of operating the Candela P-30 will be half the cost of conventional diesel ferries.
P-30 consumes about 3 kWh per nautical mile, which is one-tenth of a conventional ship and comparable to the energy consumption of a modern electric-hybrid bus.
Candela director of public transportation Erik Eklund says “Our goal is to prove that our electric hydrofoil ferries are much cheaper, more comfortable and a lot more versatile than conventional vessels. It’s not just an alternative to other ships, but a whole new take on public transportation.”
Candela P-30 is based on Candela’s electric hydrofoil technology for leisure boats.
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