Dubbed Seasight, the lightweight Carbon-Fibre ferry measures 40 m long and 15 m wide, with capacity for 450 passengers. Using ABB’s system, the ferry will charge its battery using diesel engines for 32km from Flåm to Gudvangen, along the UNESCO-listed Norwegian Nærøyfjord, before switching to battery-only operation and cruising at around 10 kn.
The Onboard DC Grid is a key enabler in efficiently integrating energy storage into modern marine power systems through its DC infrastructure and integrated power and energy management system. In the case of the Seasight, the Onboard DC Grid will transfer energy to the battery during charging, which will happen at both ends of the voyage, and whilst the diesel engines are running.
ABB says the possibility already exists for its DC grid technology to be scaled up for car-carrying ferries and larger vessels. “Regulation means Norway is leading the world in terms of battery power for passenger ferries,” commented Sindre Sætre, ABB’s director of Marine and Ports in Norway. “Globally battery power and hybrid technology is gaining importance in the maritime sector.”
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