Image credit: Stena Line

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Stena Line has moved a step closer towards operating a vessel solely on battery power between Sweden and Denmark.

A contract was recently signed with Callenberg Technology Group for batteries with a capacity of 1 megawatt-hours (MWh) to be installed on the Stena Jutlandica which operates between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn.

The project is now under way and is divided into three phases:

- In step one of the project, battery power of 1 MWh will be switched on for the bow thrusters and manoeuvring when berthing in port.

- In phase two, an extended battery operation with a capacity of about 20 MWh will be connected to the propellers, which will enable the Stena Jutlandica to operate on electricity for a distance of around 10 nautical miles - equal to the distance between Goteborg and Vinga Lighthouse.

- The third step will involve extending the battery capacity to 50 MWh so that the vessel can run on electricity for roughly 50 nautical miles - corresponding to the distance between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn.

The technology tested is based on plug-in hybrid technology. The batteries are charged when the ship is connected to shore power, but can also be charged while operating the ship's generators.

The aim of carrying out the project in several steps is to test and gather knowledge about electrical operation along the way. If the project is successful, Stena Line says battery operation may also be used for other vessels in the company's fleet of 38 vessels.

The technical solutions are being developed in conjunction with Stena Teknik, which cooperates with the academic world, authorities and various suppliers. The first phase is being supported and partly financed by the Swedish Transport Administration and the European Union (EU).

"Sustainability is very high on our agenda and we are constantly evaluating new ways to reduce our impact on the environment. From 2015, for example, methanol is part of the fuel mix on Stena Germanica, which operates between Gothenburg and Kiel, and we also run around 300 different energy saving projects. As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation becomes a very exciting alternative to traditional fuels for shipping, as emissions to air can be completely eliminated," remarked Stena Line's CEO Niclas Martensson.

According to Stena Line, battery power for the Stena Jutlandica's port operations will be installed before the summer.