Havila Kystruten ferries to feature 6.1MWh Corvus ESS

System integrator Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) commissioned Corvus Energy to supply a 6.1MWh Orca lithium ion Energy Storage System (ESS) to the four vessels currently under construction at Turkish shipbuilder Tersan and Astillero Hijos de J. Barreras in Spain. The ESS is double the capacity of any existing battery-operated ferries, and will be second only to the installation on the autonomous Yara Birkeland.

“This is a big step for the cruising industry and we are extremely proud to receive this order. It demonstrates that we drive technology further by pushing boundaries for the use of batteries,” said Geir Bjørkeli, CEO of Corvus Energy.

Speaking to the Motorship at Corvus Energy’s headquarters, Halvard Hauso, executive vice president, sales and marketing of Corvus Energy explained that the ESS could be operated in normal sailing mode, port mode as well as a “fjord mode” in which final approaches to port within zero emissions coastal areas could be made under battery power alone.

The ESS will enable the vessels to enter fjords and ECAs on zero emission mode five years before Norway tightens emissions regulations. The Norwegian parliament passed a resolution on 3 May 2018 to introduce a zero emissions policy in Norway’s most heavily visited coastal fjords from 2026, although the exact details are still under discussion.

The last of the four vessels being constructed for Havila Kystruten will feature a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion arrangement partially funded by Norway’s Pilot-E programme. The propulsion systems onboard all ferries will be designed to integrate hydrogen fuel and fuel cells.

“The unused potential for using batteries on board cruise and passenger ferries is huge. Batteries reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs, cut pollution and, with increasing environmental regulations and requirements that will incur costs for air emissions, provide a very compelling business case. As more and more shipowners wake up to this, we expect to see uptake accelerating across the board. The industry is just starting to understand the power of batteries,” said Roger Rosvold, Vice President Sales at Corvus Energy.

Corvus Energy powers 194 commercial hybrid and electric maritime installations around the world, with an installed-base totalling over 200 MWh. Some 13 of its projects to date have been commissioned for cruise vessels and yachts, compared with 50 car and passenger ferry orders.

Corvus Energy expects to extend its range of energy storage systems at Nor-Shipping in June, when it will launch a new more compact, higher energy density battery variant intended for the cruise and Ro-Pax segments. Earlier in February 2019, Corvus extended its product range into the lightweight and subsea sectors after agreeing a deal to acquire Norway-based maritime battery supplier Grenland.