Page 64: of Marine News Magazine (November 2022)

63 65

Tech

File

Among the most noteworthy applications for the Hybrigen system is the Sea Change ferry,

America’s ? rst hydrogen fuel cell powered vessel.

All American Marine sition to all-electric, simply by adding more power through sidering hybrid, electric or even fuel-cell-based propulsion batteries or tapping into shoreside charging infrastructure certainly does have a payback. And that payback is both in to recharge those batteries.” the form of tangible lower operational costs, but intangible

Of course, a number of challenges come with the ter- bene? ts as well. . . We can help walk through operators ritory for hybrid and electric vessel projects, as is the case while they’re considering the total cost of ownership and for the adoption of any “new” technology. For battery- showing them what they can expect with an alternative electric vessels in particular, Hudspeth said, “One of the propulsion system.” main challenges is many of the piers and docks in which Hudspeth noted lower noise, decreased vibration these vessels operate have not been properly set up to ac- and the ability for vessels to operate safely in sensitive commodate the infrastructure for shore side charging. . . coastal environments among key bene? ts. The Hybri-

It’s going to take some time for this infrastructure to de- Gen can also be used with geofencing technology that velop, but we think that there are solutions that are avail- allows vessels that may be using hybrid propulsion to able today that can help people get into operations with go into an all-electric emissions-free mode anytime lower emissions.” they enter into a speci? c GPS de? ned boundary, Hud-

Another challenge, according to Hudspeth, is upfront speth said. “There is no need to push buttons or pull costs that are typically higher than traditional propulsion levers. It’s done automatically and you can ensure that options. “The cost typically is at a premium, but if you the vessel is operating with a lower carbon footprint in look at the total cost of ownership, you will ? nd that con- those sensitive coastal environments.” 64 | MN November 2022