Thu 12 Jan 2017, 13:04 GMT

'Resounding interest' for fuel-saving, next-gen battery solution


Order book for Orca ESS has exceeded nine megawatt hours, says Corvus Energy.



British Columbia's Corvus Energy, the world's leading lithium-ion based energy storage system (ESS) manufacturer, says that in less than six months since the launch of Orca ESS, the order book for its next-generation battery solution has exceeded nine megawatt hours (MWh).

"The resounding interest in Orca ESS has been across multiple maritime applications and vessel types - from port cranes to cruise ships," the company said.

Rather than a single product approach, the Orca ESS product line delivers a range of products that are designed to meet the various needs of maritime customers. Orca Energy is said to be ideal for applications that require large amounts of energy, such as ferries and merchant vessels, while Orca Power was designed for applications that require a seamless response to dynamic power loads, such as offshore supply vessels and port equipment.

Orca ESS solutions are designed to scale for applications of all sizes, up to and beyond 10MWh, at a lower total cost of ownership.

"Orca ESS makes sense for new vessel types. With a portfolio of solutions that match the varying requirements of different vessels and a very compelling ROI, Orca ESS is expanding into new vessel types. Corvus Energy has secured several orders to implement Orca ESS into new applications such cruise ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers and speciality vessels. Orca ESS affordability now makes it economically attractive to utilize energy storage for these new applications," Corvus said.

"Beyond the technical advances that Orca ESS brings to the industry, Corvus has rewritten the economics of implementing a battery solution for hybrid or all-electric applications. With a step change in cost, the Corvus Orca ESS provides an economical solution that drastically reduces fuel consumption and maintenance costs - all while helping the environment," Corvus added.

As reported by Bunker Index in December, North America's first LNG-battery hybrid cargo ferry, the Seaspan Swift, features two dual-fuel engines and a Corvus lithium ion ESS that operates as spinning reserve and provides propulsion power for low-speed manoeuvres.

In November, Corvus announced that Scandlines' newest hybrid ferry, the M/V Copenhagen, will utilize a low-emission, fuel-saving, diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system powered by a Corvus ESS. The M/V Copenhagen is the sixth Scandlines hybrid ferry to utilize a Corvus ESS.

Image: Scandlines uses Corvus ESS technology aboard its hybrid ferries.


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