Siemens and ABB have this year both achieved further successes in marketing their electric propulsion solutions to the passenger shipping market
Two leading technology suppliers, Siemens and ABB, have announced some interesting contracts for electric drive systems for ferries and cruise vessels in recent months. These reflect the fact that more passenger shipowners, especially in Scandinavia and the Baltic, are now embracing the potential offered by latest generation electric propulsion technology.
After supplying various elements of the propulsion system on the Norwegian vessel Ampere, the world first all electric-driven ferry, in 2015, and securing a follow up order from FinFerries of Finland, Siemens has more recently received an order from another Norwegian ferry operator, Fjord 1, for two new battery-driven ferries. This contract means the first four battery-driven ferries in the world will all run on technology developed and manufactured by Siemens, through its Norwegian subsidiary.
The all-electric ferries commissioned by Fjord 1 will operate between Anda and Lote on the west coast of Norway and will have capacity for 120 cars, 12 trailers and 349 passengers. Due for delivery in January 2018 from Turkey’s Tersan shipyard, which is building to a design by Norwegian company Multi Maritime, the two ferries will each feature Siemens BlueDrive PlusC propulsion technology. This includes lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, and Siemens-designed thrusters and remote control technology for the propellers. The ship’s energy storage system will be charged at each side of the crossing, with a shore connection to the local grid, and will be monitored from the ferries using WiFi communication.
“With this contract, we have proven our leading position in environmentally-friendly propulsion solutions,” says Jürgen Brandes, chief executive of the Process Industries and Drives Division at Siemens. “We have shown that the technology is robust and sustainable and reduces costs.”
Earlier this year, Siemens was commissioned to provide a complete electric solution for Finland’s first battery-powered car ferry. FinFerries has ordered the newbuilding from Polish shipyard CRIST. It is expected to be delivered in the summer of 2017, and will operate between Nauvo and Parainen in the Turku archipelago. Approximately 90m long and 16m wide, with capacity for 90 cars, this ferry, too, will be equipped with the BlueDrive PlusC electric propulsion system. Because of the harsh winter conditions in Finland, the vessel will additionally have a diesel engine to support the onboard batteries when required, to give an extra boost to break and travel through ice.
In developing the technology for the new FinFerries and Fjord 1 ferries, Siemens has been able to draw on the experience gained with Ampere, which entered service in May last year. Ampere is reported to be using only 150 kWh of power on its route, helping owner-operator Norled cut fuel costs by 60 per cent. Based on this experience Siemens calculates that of the 180 or so ferries operating in Norway, 84 could viably be converted to battery operation, and a further 43 to hybrid solutions.
As well as securing orders to supply electric-driven ferries, Siemens has achieved some breakthrough success within the cruise shipping sector. The company will be equipping a newbuild cruise liner for Saga Cruises – ordered recently by the UK-based operator from Germany’s Meyer Werft for 2019 delivery – with its SISHIP eSiPOD electric pod drive solution. The contract includes an option to supply an additional sister vessel, potentially due for delivery in 2021.
The new cruise ship’s power plant will comprise four generators with a total electrical output of 21MW and an NXAIR medium-voltage switchgear designed to distribute power safely and efficiently. The permanent excited synchronous propulsion motor on board will be integrated into a pod-shaped housing located outside the ship’s hull. Siemens believes this initial contract for Saga will enable the company to secure further contracts for its new generation podded propulsion system within the cruise segment.
As far as electric pod-based propulsion is concerned, Siemens claims to be the only supplier with systems that can be equipped optionally with twin or mono propellers. The SISHIP eSiPOD-M, for mono propellers, is designed for vessels with relatively demanding requirements in terms of open water performance and efficiency, and is well suited for cruise ships and large passenger vessels, while the SISHIP eSiPOD-T, designed to provide maximum thrust within compact spaces through a twin-propeller layout, is said to be beneficial for many passenger ferry types.
ABB’s Azipod electrically-driven propulsion units, well established as the market leader for cruise ship podded propulsion, continue making considerable inroads within the passenger shipping sector. On top of main propulsion system equipment, ABB is supplying a large volume of electric drives to control auxiliary systems, such as pumps and fans, in both public and machinery spaces on passenger vessels, for newbuildings and retrofits. ABB reports that it is currently delivering more than 800 electric drives a year to cruise and ferry customers.
Recent Azipod contracts include an order to supply the 16,800 grt Scenic Eclipse, an ice-class passenger vessel ordered from Uljanik Group in Croatia. ABB will deliver two 3MW Azipod D type units to the expedition vessel, due for delivery in 2018, which is designed to operate in polar waters. The Azipod D design, launched in 2015, has a gearless construction, a highly efficient motor and an enhanced hydrodynamic design, and requires less installed power than earlier generation Azipod models. Scenic Eclipse will be the first passenger vessel to be fitted with this type of Azipod, although other orders have been received for offshore vessels.
Looking to further extend its market share, ABB has recently launched the new Azipod XL, a design that claims to be up to 10 per cent more efficient than previous versions. The linear flow Azipod XL achieves an enhanced level of efficiency through the inclusion of a nozzle with stator plates. This directs the water flow from the propeller to reduce turbulence and energy loss, optimising thrust to the vessel.
Azipod propulsion is already widely used in the cruise industry. But ABB believes the improved fuel efficiency of the Azipod XL will make it more competitive as an option for other markets, including ferries.
Like Siemens, ABB is also being called upon to deliver electric drive technology for battery-powered passenger ships. Following a recent contract, the company is supplying the complete power and propulsion systems for two HH Ferries vessels that the Stena Line group subsidiary has decided to convert. The initial modifications to the vessels Tycho Brahe and Aurora were undertaken in autumn 2016 at the Landskrona shipyard in Sweden, in preparation for the installation of batteries which is due to take place in May and October 2017 respectively.
The refit projects will employ various ABB-developed solutions, including batteries, an energy storage control system and Onboard DC Grid technology. The two ferries will, once upgraded, operate entirely on battery power between Helsingør in Denmark and Helsingborg, Sweden. The combined battery power of 8,320 kWh for the two ferries is said to be the equivalent of 10,700 car batteries.
ABB is also supplying the power system for a new hybrid car ferry, designed by Multi Maritime and to be built at Fiskerstrand Verft. The main element within the scope of supply is the Onboard DC Grid system, which features as part of a total electric power system being supplied by Acel. ABB’s modular electric system is designed to simplify the integration of energy storage on board the MM63 type ferry, which in this case comprises two 270 kWh battery packs, and enables the ship’s engines to operate more efficiently at variable speed.
Initially the batteries will be used to help meet power demand during peak loads. However, the owner, Torghatten Trafikkselskap, will have the option of adding another 16 battery packs and a shore connection, in order to operate the vessel in fully electric mode in future.
“Energy storage has been one of the most important areas of focus for our research and development team,” says Juha Koskela, managing director of ABB’s Marine and Ports division. “We recognise that batteries have an important role to play on a range of vessels and it is a technology for the present, as well as the future.”
Torghatten has also decided to retrofit two 1999-built car ferries, Melshorn and Vardehorn, with plug-in hybrid propulsion systems at Havyard Ship Technology. The ferries were originally built with diesel-electric propulsion systems, but batteries and new power electronics will be installed by the end of the year. Once again Multi Maritime has been involved in the concept development and is providing technical support to Torghatten, as well as a detailed engineering package.
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