Page 17: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2023)

Eye on Design

Rapid Charging Systems:

Image courtesy 3mar

Current Technology for the

Future of Ferries

By Maggie Stagner, Electrical Engineer, Elliott Bay Design Group s the devotion to more sustainable shipping ex- are existing active RCS options to consider. Notably, Scan- pands and regulations become more stringent, the dinavia has a signi? cant quantity of plug-in ferries in service demand for lower emissions operations continues that operate with RCS.

A to increase. As a result, the marine industry is con- The most signi? cant challenge associated with introducing fronted with the challenge of large-scale electri? cation as an RCS is the ship’s motions relative to the pier. The system must alternative energy solution. span a gap to the vessel and maintain a safe electrical connection

For electric ferries, one developing technology is Rapid without interfering with vessel operations. Subsequently, most

Charging Systems (RCS), which transfer electrical power existing systems utilize positive restraint to minimize vessel mo- from the shore to a vessel at a high rate. These charging sys- tions. Developing such systems often requires substantial instal- tems establish a ship-to-shore connection quickly, providing a lations or modi? cations of shore-side infrastructure. Some plug- power transfer solution for vessels with short docking periods. in ferries in Scandinavia have actually gone into service before

As the United States maritime industry continues to adapt to their corresponding ? nal charging systems could be installed. A more sustainable powering and propulsion technologies and temporary mechanical testing stage can prove out system func- begins to incorporate energy storage on a larger scale, there tionality, which delays electrical infrastructure costs until the www.marinelink.com 17

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