Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) will deliver plug-in hybrid electric systems for three new ferries to be designed by Multi Maritime and built by Havyard Ship Technology.

Each ferry has a capacity of 50 cars and 199 persons. Two will operate on the route between Brekstad and Valset, and one between Sandvikvåg and Husavik. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in May 2018.

The new ferries will be capable of all-electric operation, and will be equipped with diesel engines capable of using biodiesel.

NES’s system includes DC and AC switchboards, generators, transformers, and QUEST battery packs. It also features NES’s Odin’s Eye DC grid solution, which allows for the use of variable speed generator sets.

“We have always believed in DC grid solutions – they work, they save fuel and have lower emissions,” said Paul Winson, Senior VP of Sales for NES. “However, we did not like the technology currently being offered because it was very expensive and limited, so we set about finding a solution which is less expensive and offers more capability, including improved safety. It turns out we had the answer already.”

“We expanded our Frequency Converter, the Quadro Drive, and connected it in a ring net solution. Instead of being limited to just a two split switchboard, which means drastically over-sizing the generators and propulsion motors, we can now split all the essential equipment up into separate autonomous islands. These islands can be configured to work together with closed bus-ties or independently with open bus-ties.”

Source: Norwegian Electric Systems via Green Car Congress