Hybrid ferry

Hybrid ferries combine traditional diesel power with electric battery power, resulting in reductions in fossil fuel consumption, carbon emissions and other pollutants.

Development

In February 2011 the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Keith Brown confirmed Scottish Government funding to Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) for the Low Emission Hybrid Ferries Project, which will see the development of the world's first seagoing roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger diesel electric hybrid ferries in Scotland.

Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow, Scotland, will be working alongside Glasgow based ship design specialists Seatec and electrical specialists Tec-Source to build two hybrid ferries accommodating 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs, with a service speed of nine knots.[1][2]

The ferries, which will be operated by the current operator of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac are designed for use on many of the short crossing routes around the Clyde and Hebrides and will use some of the most innovative 'green' technology, including battery banks supplying a minimum of 20% of the energy consumed on board.

The vessel will be powered by small diesel generator sets, feeding power to a 400 volt switchboard, which will supply power to electric propulsion motors that turn the Voith Schneider cycloidal propulsion units. In addition, the battery banks will provide power to operate the vessel.

The ferries will charge overnight while they are moored on the islands they will serve and future plans include the use of energy from local wind, wave or solar systems to charge the batteries.

Building will commence later in 2011 and it is anticipated that the first vessel will enter service in late spring/early summer 2013, with the second following six months later.

Other hybrid ferries

Alcatraz

When changing to hybrid ferries, Alcatraz has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 700 thousand pounds. It does so by drawing power from a photovoltaic system that uses 959 photovoltaic panels that are located on the cell house roof power on the island. The ferry has its own photovoltaic panel and wind turbine on top that helps power the vessel.[3]

Washington

The Washington State Department of Transportation – Ferries Division requested money for a Hyak Hybrid Ferry Propulsion Project that was projected to save four and a half million gallons of diesel fuel annually. They did so by implementing a new Variable Speed Generator that allows the ferry to supply power as needed by using a smart grid system that allows computers on board of the vessel to respond to the load with the appropriate amount of power. Batteries will be used as a backup source of power and this eliminates the need to turn on additional generators. The hybrid ferry will be able to charge on shore side to power up for short trips. The proposal was later accepted in 2013. Two catamarans will provide the majority of service from the route Orchard–Bremerton and Annapolis–Bremerton.[4]

New York

The island of New York creates an obvious need for water transportation. In the past, conventional diesel fueled ferries have admitted high pollutions and costs limiting the use of ferries. It is estimated that sixty five thousand people ride the Staten Island Ferry every day. This number could increase with the use of a solar electric diesel wind power hybrid ferry. The Solar Sailor Vessels operate as a catamaran equipped with sails. This vessel can be propelled by either wind from the sails, an internal combustion engine, or electric batteries charged with solar arrays. These power sources will work independently which reduces the energy efficiency but increases power and speed.[5]

More on the Scottish hybrid ferry

The vessel will be equipped with two Voith Schneider propellers with an input power of 375 kW per propeller.

Kitsap Transit

Kitsap Transit is searching for an alternative in marine transit. They have hired Bremerton marine engineering firm Art Anderson Associates. When looking into a hybrid system they found the Northern lights Inc. of Seattle, said Ralph Duncan, Art Anderson Associates vice president of marine engineering and research. A Hybrid system is one where the diesel engines don’t power the propeller. They are not attached to the propeller. Instead the engines charge the batteries and the batteries they power the propeller, providing the necessary propulsion. By doing this the engines would be saving $45,000 a year in fuel. The cost of the Hybrid system would be $400,000 more than a traditional diesel powered system. With saving in fuel it would take about 5 ½ years to break even. Over the next 20 years after the hybrid system could save $700,000 to $1.5 million. The total emissions would see a decrease between 53%–67%. On the surface Kitsap is pleased with the plan. They will be looking more heavily into the electric hybrid ferry system.[6]

The New York Hornblower

The Hornblower took two years and over 300 individuals for Derektor Shipyards, Bridgeport, CT to construct and was 168 feet long. The vessel made its debut in the New York Harbor during the celebration marking the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. The New York Hornblower is the first vessel in the United States to be powered by diesel, hydrogen fuel cells, AGM batteries, and wind and solar energy. The reason why they chose to use the hydrogen fuel cells was in hope it would operate in zero emissions mode all day. Cameron Clark who is the director of Environmental Affairs and Special Projects at Hornblower described the hydrogen fuel cell technology as hydrogen being broken down and used as heat, electricity, and water. The idea was for the electricity to be used for the motor and batteries and the heat and water would evaporate. The ferry is designed to carry 600 passengers with an operating speed at twelve knots. The function of the ferry is to operate a round trip between Battery Park, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island, a harbor tour boat, and a dinner cruise boat.[7]

Roll-on/roll-off

The term roll-on/roll-off refers to the fact that cars and other large vehicles can be brought aboard. This type of vessel is used for large commuter areas such as in the Washington area. Roll-on/roll-off does not just apply to ferries. Military vessels and other large commercial vessels use this technology. With ferries the roll-on/roll-off system takes the place of commuter bridges.[6]

An example of a truck using the roll-on/roll-off technology for transportation

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "World's first 'hybrid' ferries". Scottish Government. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "New Hebridean ferries to be battery-powered". BBC News. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  3. ↑ National Park Service. (2014). Sustainable alcatraz. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/goga/naturescience/sustainable-alcatraz.htm The Department of the Interior makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this website and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this website.
  4. ↑ Washington State Department of Transportation. (2011). Hyak hybrid ferry propulsion project: green fleet ferry program. Retrieved from www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AF8C5114-E659-4FFO-B339-4924D1550779/0/TIGERIIIHyakHybrid102811FINAL.pdf
  5. ↑ NYC Department of Transportation. (2007). Sustainable modes. Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/transportation/world_cities_pt2a.pdf
  6. 1 2 Friedrich, E. (2013, Mar 19). Hybrid ferry statistics please kitsap transit. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1317843700
  7. ↑ NEW YORK HORNBLOWER HYBRID FINALLY MAKES ITS DEBUT. (2011). Marine Log, 116(11), 15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/910804529

See also

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