Sign up
Log in Sign up
Fri 27 May 2011, 07:17 GMT

Hybrid power system to be tested in June


System to be installed on solar power-assisted vessel and adapted to use low sulphur fuel.

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KHI), the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI), and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) are to begin shipboard tests in June to verify the effects of a jointly developed hybrid power supply system for vessels.

The system will be installed on NYK Line’s solar power-assisted car carrier Auriga Leader (60,213 gross tons), which will also be fitted with a ballast-water management system and adapted to use low sulphur fuel.

The power generation and endurance of the photovoltaic panels on Auriga Leader have been undergoing shipboard tests since the completion of the vessel on December 19th 2008. The tests have shown that providing a stable power supply from the photovoltaic panels is difficult because even a slight change in the weather has a significant influence on the amount of power generated.

It was also found that attempting to make the solar power system bigger to gain more output and to increase its dependency could result in problems with regard to stable operations due to fluctuations in the power supply.

The hybrid power supply system has been studied since 2009. NYK Line and MTI, with the aim of curtailing CO2 emissions, have pursued a stable onboard power supply in case an unstable renewable energy source such as solar power were to be adopted.

KHI has been working to develop a hybrid power supply system for vessels through the use of its self-developed large nickel hydrogen batteries known as Gigacell®; and ClassNK is supporting these projects as part of assistance provided through a joint research scheme based on industry demands.

According to the project members, charging and discharging a fluctuating amount of solar power generated by this hybrid power supply system will stabilize the supply to the vessel’s electrical power system. This is also said to minimize output fluctuations from the diesel power generator and secure a stable power supply.

The firms said they will continue to carry out shipboard tests on Auriga Leader with the aim of achieving a stable power supply under harsh marine conditions through the combination of solar power generation and the hybrid power supply system, and the effects will be verified.

Based on the experiment results, NYK Line and MTI will aim to develop an even larger solar power generation system for vessels, while KHI will seek to commercialize the hybrid power supply system for vessels.

Hydrogen   NYK Group   Japan 
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) logo. ABS introduces nuclear-ready notation for marine and offshore assets  

The classification society has released what it describes as an industry-first notation to support future nuclear conversion of vessels and offshore assets.
AiP handover ceremony for NEXTGEN Energy Hub (NGEH) design. ABS grants approval in principle for Seatrium’s NEXTGEN Energy Hub design  

The hub concept integrates ammonia bunkering, power generation and electric vessel charging in a single unit.
Jumbo Maritime crew aboard vessel. Jumbo orders two methanol-ready L-Class heavy lift vessels from Dajin Heavy Industry  

Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo signs newbuilding contract for two 25,000-dwt vessels.
China flag. Zhoushan completes first bonded bunker operation at Majishan port area  

The operation marks full fuel supply coverage across all general cargo terminals in Zhoushan's port system.
US dollar banknotes. Port of Long Beach launches $1m methanol bunkering challenge for oceangoing vessels  

A $1m prize aims to kick-start commercial methanol bunkering at one of North America's busiest ports.
Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.
Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.
Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.
CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.
Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.




   Fuels & Propulsion

Ammonia B100 B24 B30 Bio-LNG/LBM Biofuel Biogas Biomethanol Dual-fuel E-fuel E-methane/e-NG Electric Ethanol FAME Green hydrogen Green/e-ammonia HVO Hydrogen LNG LPG Lubes Methanol MGO Nuclear UCOME ULSFO VLSFO Wind power



 Recommended