Page 54: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2019)

T

TECH FILES: Hybrid Propulsion

One Word: Hybrid

By Joseph Keefe he iconic 1967 ? lm, The the logic behind so-called tier beater least for this deckie – like never before. that running those higher horsepower

Graduate, has a lot of fa- arrangements presumably intended to As we sat down for our scheduled ap- tier 4 engines at slower speeds than what mous scenes, some of which sidestep the now required EPA Tier 4 pointment, I asked him the same (an- the OEM originally intended isn’t neces- weren’t necessarily in- mandates. Until last week, that is. noying) question I usually ask of other sarily a good idea. Nor is it good for the

Ttended for family viewing. It was a while back that I asked my propulsion SME’s: “What’s the point of engines. Just looking beyond the work-

That said; one particular quote resonates good friend (and favorite propulsion having the EPA Tier 4 rules if everyone boat sector to blue water shipping where strongly, especially when I think about writer, Massachusetts Maritime Acade- seems to obviate it by installing smaller those large post-Panamax boxships have the myriad discussions and interviews my graduate and engineering SME) Bob engines so as to escape the lower limit been lurching their way across the ocean that I participated in, last week, in the Kunkel what was up with the whole ‘tier horsepower requirements that the rule on those ‘slow-steaming’ voyages is evi- ‘Big Easy.’ beater’ trend ongoing in the world of ma- entails?” And, as Schwarz (patiently) dence enough to reinforce that point.

Perhaps the most memorable scene in rine propulsion. Probably well aware he went through the explanation, point by In contrast, a hybrid propelled boat, the ? lm begins with Mr. McGuire tell- was speaking to a deckie and not an en- point, the ‘light’ ? nally went on in my employing three smaller engines as op- ing our young graduate, Ben Braddock, gineer, he replied simply, “It’s just good head. posed to two larger Tier 4 models, can played by Dustin Hoffman, “I just want design.” Now, if Bob says it, I believe it. It turns out that when it comes to the ef? ciently loiter or proceed in transit to say one word to you. Just one word: And, that settles it. But, that didn’t mean so-called ‘hybrid wave,’ there are a lot using just one engine at its ideal speed plastics.” Mr. McGuire then goes on to I really understood it. of options out there. And he said, “Hy- settings, using less fuel, emitting less say that there’s a great future in plastics. I talked to a great number of people brid means different things to different emissions and at the same time, effec-

He adds, “Think about it. Will you think during the show, many from engine people.” Beyond the obvious attraction tively lengthening the time between the about it?” Young Braddock promises OEM’s, shipyards, designers and, of of installing ever smaller equipment, dreaded maintenance intervals. And, that he will. On the other hand, and by course, equipment integrators. That dia- the price of these system integrations these workboats can employ any one of midday on Thursday at last week’s an- logue has convinced me that, like noth- continues to come down. These systems those three (or more) engines in planned nual trade event, one word seemingly ing else happening on the collective wa- might take the form of an all electric pas- sequence, effectively reducing operat- kept coming up, no matter who I talked terfront today, the move towards hybrid senger vessel, a diesel electric workboat, ing hours on all of them by as much as to. Here’s a hint: it wasn’t ‘plastics.’ propulsion arrangements – of one type or a half dozen other iterations. And, 50 percent. Of course, when that ‘hour or another – has gathered enough mo- leaving aside the environmental aspects of power’ arrives, the properly designed

Tier 4, Tier Beaters and … hybrid mentum that it simply can’t be stopped. of the hybrid choice, the impact of going hybrid workboat can also use all three

As a matter of full disclosure, I’d be There are a lot of reasons for that real- ‘hybrid’ can reduce your fuel bills by as for that quick towing assignment or ship the ? rst person to tell you that when it ity, and there were a lot of smart people much as 30%. But, that’s only the begin- assist shift.

comes to propulsion stories and engine at the trade event to show me how, why, ning. In the end analysis, it’s about total life- editorial in general, I generally need and when (now) it is coming. As operators increasingly turn to the cycle costs, lower fuel consumption, in- adult supervision as I’m grinding away For example, a visit with Ed Schwarz hybrid option as they contemplate re- creased (longer) maintenance intervals, on the keyboard. Beyond that admission, at the ABB booth on Thursday brought powers or newbuildings, they do so for reduced operating hours on installed en-

I also admit to not really understanding the hybrid concept into full focus – at many reasons. For example, it turns out gines and a markedly smarter way to op- 54 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2019

MR #1 (50-58).indd 54 MR #1 (50-58).indd 54 1/11/2019 3:37:24 PM1/11/2019 3:37:24 PM