Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (January 2021)

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Feature

Electri? cation

Large energy storage batteries and integrated hybrid systems require signi? cant automatic controls to operate. Being able to effectively troubleshoot and maintain these systems requires a good understanding of the underlying software and hardware. This will be a barrier to some operations. – Jim Wolfe, PE,

Senior Electrical Engineer, Glosten cost bene? ts as well as other bene? ts as well. to outline how much energy a vessel will consume when it

Joe Wolfel, CEO of Terradepth Inc. in Austin, Texas, is in operation. Some operators may not be ready to go all says that any sustainable platform has operational chal- electric, so we believe it is important to offer incremental lenges as they represent a new way of transporting goods. solutions that meet speci? c needs. Unlike electric cars, this

Alternative fuels and other means of propulsion beyond is not a universal model, instead we believe that solutions the traditional high, medium and slow speed diesel engines should be tailored to a speci? c vessel. It is also important to must consider the logistics of supporting new systems. note that you don’t need costly infrastructure or high grid “There are challenges with the energy density of fuels power shore side to operate this technology on marine ves- that are safe to submerge, creating the need for larger plat- sels. There are many vessels in operation today that use self- forms, which drives a cost increase,” Wolfel says. “Safe charging capabilities to recharge their batteries on board.” transportation, storage and handling are also challenges, as Though larger vessels aren’t as concerned about battery you combine volatile materials such as lithium, hydrogen charging for propulsion, they will likely need more battery or heavy fuels.” storage and charging capacity for control systems that sup-

For electric plants, there’s even a heavier burden of en- port them. In addition, electric propulsion is newer tech- ergy storage and an infrastructure to support any needed nology to operators and may require additional training shore power connectivity or other interface while in port— and knowledge to operate and maintain main and auxil- domestically and abroad. iary electric systems. “We understand the challenges that boat builders face “System complexity and specialized skills are a signi? - when adopting new technology and what it takes to make cant barrier,” says Jim Wolfe of Glosten. “Large energy it certi? able for operation,” explains Peter Brook of BAE. storage batteries and integrated hybrid systems require “There are many factors when going electric, but the three signi? cant automatic controls to operate. Being able to ef- key components to consider are power needs, types of fectively troubleshoot and maintain these systems requires technology and infrastructure. We closely examine power a good understanding of the underlying software and needs early in the design phase with the builder. No two hardware. This will be a barrier to some operations. Some vessels are alike, so our goal is to work with the customer system providers have highly integrated standard solutions 26 | MN January 2021