Study on hybrid power generation

Speaking at the CIMAC conference in Vancouver recently, Dr Alexander Knafl, MAN Energy Solutions, presented the results of a new study which examines the potential of hybrid power solutions in light of tightening regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HYCAS study, which is a result of a cooperation between MAN Energy Solutions, Corvus Energy and DNV GL, examined the cost effectiveness of hybrid power solutions on a 1,700-TEU container feeder vessel. It explored two main scenarios, a vessel built in 2020 with a 500kWh battery system replacing one genset used for peak shaving and as a spinning reserve, and a vessel built in 2030, using a much larger 11MWh hybrid system for zero emission port entry and exit. Under the first scenario, with the hybrid power train resulting in a total cost of approximately 13% of the vessel, payback times are as low as two to three years. The larger system, however, increases the costs of the vessel significantly, meaning that only with a combination of lower prices for the battery system and higher fuel costs than today would the system be economically attractive. “It is our hope that these study results will increase cargo shipowner confidence in seeking out new energy solutions, as a good economic rationale already exists for supporting auxiliary loads with a hybrid configuration,” said Sean Puchalski, Corvus Energy.