Proven feasibility for battery power

Earlier this year, the Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein and Prins Richard joined the first converted ship in the Scandlines fleet, in employing a bank of Corvus lithium polymer batteries to save fuel and cut emissions, particularly when operating in harbour.

The 2.7MWh Energy Storage System (ESS) on the three latest ships consists of 399 Corvus Energy AT6500 batteries integrated with Siemens drive systems. The battery banks provide power for slow speed manoeuvring, auxiliary power when tied alongside, and can provide a boost to the main propulsion system if high power is needed.

Corvus says that its lithium polymer energy storage solution provides a cost effective solution for hybridisation of commercial vessels. It provides the consistent performance to meet the growing demand for more sophisticated, green vessel systems. The success of the Scandlines project proves that suitable ships can be economically converted to battery hybrid operation, while similar energy storage systems have been chosen for Eidesvik’s Viking Lady offshore supply vessel. Corvus systems have, in addition, been specified as the main propulsion power source for the newbuild Norwegian ferry Folgefonn.

The ESS has received approval from three major classification societies – DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register and ABS, following extensive tests by independent accredited laboratories to replicate the extreme environmental conditions the system may encounter in commercial marine applications. Corvus says that the system handles the extreme duty conditions encountered in a commercial marine engine room, and is up to 10 times more powerful than lead-acid batteries, and significantly more powerful than currently available lithium alternatives. It can operate from -40 to +60°C, withstand shocks of 30G, and continuous vibration of 8G.