Island Offshore orders Kongsberg battery packs
The Island Crusader is one of the vessels to have battery packs installed (Source: Gunder Tande Sandersen)
Norway’s Island Offshore is installing battery packs and shore power connections from Kongsberg for three of its platform supply vessels (PSVs) on long-term charter to Lundin Energy Norway.
The battery containers will be placed on a mezzanine deck aft of the wheelhouse so as not to lose valuable space on the main deck. Shore power connections will enable the PSVs to lay alongside quays without using their engines where power is available. Alternatively, they can activate harbour mode, using their own batteries.
Tommy Walaunet, managing director of Island Offshore Management AS, explained: “Two of the vessels are already running on natural gas, or optionally marine gas oil, and will now additionally have batteries and shore connections installed. This will contribute significantly in reducing emissions.”
The batteries can be used while vessels are offshore in standby mode, saving fuel and generator time, and they can also provide immediate extra power in transit instead of starting up another generator. The gas engines operate most effectively at constant load so the combination with batteries is an ideal arrangement, the company said.
The first of the three vessels, Island Crusader, began its latest contract on July 4th and is supporting the harsh environment drilling rig, West Bollsta. The Island Commander is attending the Edvard Grieg platform and will start a new three-year period in November. The Island Contender will be deployed in supporting the Rowan Viking jack-up rig from spring 2021.
