https://electrek.co/2018/11/07/all-electric-ferries-canada/
[There is already an electric cable ferry on the Ottawa River, though
not as large as these. Wolfe and Amherst Islands are home to a lot of
wind turbines.
images and links in online article]
Two big new all-electric ferries are coming to Canada
Fred Lambert
- Nov. 7th 2018 8:42 am ET
Electric propulsion is coming for virtually every mode of
transportation, including maritime transportation. Ferries are a good
place to start since they cover the same routes again and again. It
makes it easy to plan for the range and charging solution of
all-electric ferries.
Now Canada has got on board with the concept and ordered its first two
new giant all-electric ferries.
Schottel and Damen Shipyards are partnering up to equip the first
all-electric vessels to operate in Canada.
They are going to work on the two new ferries serving the Amherst Island
and Wolfe Island in Ontario.
The conversion will include equipping the ships with four electric twin
propellers, STP 260 FP from Schottel, each with an input power of up to
550 kW.
A battery pack system will be installed onboard to power the propellers
and a diesel generator will serve as backup power.
They expect the vessels to have a similar capacity as the conventional
ferries with speeds up to 12 knots, but it will also “reduce emissions
by the equivalent of 7 million kg carbon dioxide per year.”
Delivery of the Amherst Island ferry, which has a length of 68 m, a
width of 25 m and can accommodate up to 300 people and 42 cars, is
expected in 2020. The Wolfe Island ferry, which is even bigger with a
length of 98 m, a width of 25 m and can transport up to 399 passengers
and 75 cars, is scheduled for delivery in 2021.
All-electric Ferries
The operators of the first all-electric ferry in Norway, the ‘Ampere’,
reported some impressive statistics after operating the ship for over 2
years.
They claim that the all-electric ferry cuts emissions by 95% and costs
by 80%.
At an event last year, they announced their findings and unsurprisingly,
the potential cost savings are attracting a lot of orders for new
all-electric ferries and for the conversion of existing diesel-powered
ferries.
Not long after, Fjord1, a major Norwegian transport conglomerate which
operates 75 ships, placed an important order with the Havyard Group to
build a fleet of battery-electric ferries.
We have seen other routes planned to be electrified, like New York,
which is getting its first electric ferry next year.
Electrek’s Take
I think this is a no-brainer. It makes so much sense to electrify
ferries. They operate on relatively short and consistent routes, which
makes it easy to plan for range and to install charging infrastructure
at the docking locations.
If the results in Norway are true, it not only cuts emissions almost
entirely, it also results in incredible cost savings.
We are seeing many engineering firms now offering conversions to
electric and I think fleet operators should really consider it at this
point.
Some shipyards are also working on new all-electric models, which will
likely be the main choice for many fleet operators when it’s time to
update their fleets in the coming years.