Hybrid electric CTVs now in service at Hornsea Two
The CTVs will be deployed in the North Sea (Source: Volvo Penta)
Two new Chinese-built hybrid crew transfer vessels (CTVs) have been commissioned by wind farm transfer company, MHO-Co, to service Ørsted’s Hornsea Two wind farm in the North Sea.
The CTVs – MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo – have propulsion systems based on an energy combination from Volvo Penta and Danfoss Editron. This consists of a Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) and a Danfoss electric power setup. The hybrid system enables the vessels to run on electric power for up to eight hours and to provide a maximum speed of 24 knots in combined operating mode.
The hybrid vessels have already been working successfully for more than a month, servicing the North Sea wind farm that lies about 90kms off the UK’s east coast. Fuel and emission savings are significant.
The Volvo Penta IPS already provides a 30% reduction in emissions compared with traditional inboard engines, the company said, but the addition of a hybrid component from Danfoss Editron gives further fuel and emission savings of about 21%. Peter Granqvist, Volvo Penta’s CTO, commented: “Cross-industry collaboration is needed now more than ever to take steps towards mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. By working together, we’ve been able to begin to make real change with impressive fuel and emission savings, as well as more flexible operation for our customers.”
