Page 29: of Marine News Magazine (September 2014)

BOAT OF THE MONTH no fuel is needed.? Moreover, the all-electric system elimi- nates exhaust emissions and the potential for fuel spills, while reducing noise. The result: a more environmentally- and economically-sustainable solution.The Canal Corporation partnered with New West Tech- nologies, LLC (New West) to evaluate and help determine a clean propulsion transition path for its work boat  eet. The initial Phase 1 feasibility study completed through this partnership validated the energy, economic, and envi- ronmental bene ts of electric propulsion for Canal Corpo- ration?s work boats. Phase 2 includes the ultimate goal of evaluating the tender?s operational and maintenance data to support the goal of transitioning the long-term sustain- ability of New York?s  eet. New West is now collecting op- erational data from both the all-electric boat and a standard diesel boat to analyze the real-world performance bene ts for the Canal Corporation. Other entities considering the use of all-electric or hybrid-electric marine powertrains are no doubt watching closely from the riverbank, as they do. Workboat Ready: Electric Power The electric powertrain was manufactured by Elco Mo- tor Yachts, LLC (Elco), located in Athens, NY. Elco de- veloped the system that tightly adapts two electric motors into a robust powertrain con guration that could be ap- plied to the dredge tender. Particularly impressive with its modular design, this powertrain design allows it to be eas- ily con gured for other dredge tender boats with more or less electric motor power and more or less battery capacity, as needed.Elco electric motors are known for their safe, ef cient operation, simplicity, reliability and ease of installation. Elco?s twin EP-10000 motors allow the tender to work si- lently with zero exhaust emissions and without contribut- ing to water pollution.Any downside of electric propulsion today will even- tually be eclipsed by evolving technology tomorrow, says Elco?s Fleming. For example, in terms of the ?pound for pound? energy content of lead acid AGM batteries verses www.marinelink.com MN 29MN Sept14 Layout 18-31.indd 29MN Sept14 Layout 18-31.indd 298/20/2014 11:44:23 AM8/20/2014 11:44:23 AM