Year milestone for PBES powered electric ferries

Melshorn and Vardehorn were originally built in 1999 but were retrofiited with PBES batteries at Havyard yard (Sogn og Fjordane) in late 2016.

“Melshorn and Vardehorn provide an important role in Norway’s transition to clean transportation,” said Grant Brown, Vice President Marketing at PBES.

“They prove that commercial transportation need not be dirty and inefficient. Energy storage is an important part of this transition and PBES is proud to be providing the best quality, Norwegian built energy storage in the industry.”

Zero emissions push

The low-emissions ferries are part of the ongoing push for zero to low emission public transportation in Norway.

Each 102m vessel can carry 120 automobiles and 350 passengers. The Melshorn operates on the 25-minute crossing on E6, Bogenes to Skarberget and Vardehorn runs the 45-minute crossing R827, Drag to Kjøpsvik.

The vessels are equipped with 520kWh of PBES Power 65 batteries providing 1000V to the DC bus.

In 2017, PBES installed more than 15MWh of energy storage to marine markets around the world.

PBES said that its energy storage system has been engineered to the highest standards of performance and safety and is designed to seamlessly integrate with electrical infrastructure on any vessel.