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38 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ? MAY 2013 1Saving money and the planet, it?s the Holy Grail for today?s cost and image conscious shipowners. Bearing that in mind, fellow open hatch cargo vessel operators should sit up and pay attention to the Þ ndings of a new research project conducted by Grieg Star, in partnership with DNV Research & Innovation, and supported by the Research Council of Norway. Grieg and DNV have been investigat- ing the potential of hybrid battery/diesel solutions for powering onboard cargo cranes. In a unique simulation project, using DNV?s COSSMOS tool, the pair modeled scenarios whereby two sets of four cranes were in operation over an extended period ? with one set powered using a conventional system of diesel generator sets producing electric power, while the competing conÞ guration uti- lized a hybrid system with a lithium-ion battery (of 312kwh).Grieg?s operational knowledge, har- vested from decades of loading and unloading products such as wood pulp, forestry cargo and steel products, and DNV?s industry focused research ex- pertise combined to produce startling results. The hybrid solution ? which actually allowed the battery to recharge itself with the energy from loads being lowered on and off the vessel ? used less fuel, reduced engine maintenance requirements, produced less emissions and created huge cost savings.The models showed that the fuel used by the conventional system amounted to 313 tons a year, whereas the hybrid solution consumed only 217 tons. This translates to a 96-ton, or 31%, fuel re-duction for crane operations, totaling an eye-catching $110,000 annual saving. After the cost of the battery and instal-lation were taken into consideration, the payback period for the hybrid system was found to be less than one year. A strong case, DNV claims, for consider- ing getting battery power onboard ves-sels ?sooner rather than later.? Grieg Star, which is currently in the middle of a $500m newbuild investment program (adding 10 new vessels to its existing ß eet of 30 open hatchers), said it was encouraged by the results. Jan Øi-vind Svardal, Vice President Newbuild- ings & Projects in Grieg Star, says that the environmental and Þ nancial bene Þ ts create ?a win-win? scenario for shipping businesses.He disclosed that the Þ rm would con- sider the solution for the next generation of its vessels and possible retroÞ tting on existing ships, if feasible. Such ini-tiatives, he stressed, would Þ t in with Grieg?s broader environmental vision and sustainable business aims.Discover NorwayThe Innovation GreenhouseHome Grown Marine Tech Bergen, Norway serves as a greenhouse for advanced maritime technologies Something strange is happening in Bergen. The mountains that crowd round the city, pushing its people either closer together or out to sea, have created an environ- ment where new ideas are ß ourishing. Fed by maritime passion (and watered by the ample rainfall), these innovations are grow- ing fast and garnering global attention. Here Maritime Reporter presents four of the best ideas that are emerging from the city area right now. By Alan Johnstone Grieg Star & DNV?s Crane Collaboration (Courtesy Grieg Star) MR #5 (34-41).indd 38MR #5 (34-41).indd 385/2/2013 9:44:32 AM5/2/2013 9:44:32 AM