Ferry completes successful first month of hybrid operation

The results so far have exceeded expectations, according to the company. Only one diesel generator is used in port, instead of three, cutting fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
The 182m-long vessel, built by Van der Giessen de Noord, has four MAN B&W diesel engines and diesel generators for manoeuvring in port, providing power for the bow thrusters. Electrification of the vessel is being undertaken in stages so that the results of each step can be monitored and assessed, the company explained. During the first month of operation, batteries with a total capacity of 1 MWh provided by Callenberg Technology Group are being used to supplement diesel generator operation in port.   
The next step will involve connecting the batteries to two of the ship’s main engines, enabling the ferry to run on electrical power inside the Gothenburg archipelago as far as Vinga Lighthouse. Then, in a third stage, all four engines will be connected to batteries, providing sufficient power for the vessel to sail the 50 nautical miles between Sweden and Denmark operating only on electrical power.
Erik Lewenhaupt, head of Sustainability at Stena Line, said: “It’s really exciting to be running with electrical power on Stena Jutlandica. This project is an important part of our focused efforts to find ways of reducing our impact on the environment. As both the size and cost of batteries decrease, battery operation is becoming a very attractive alternative to traditional fuel for shipping since emissions should be possible to completely eliminate in the future.”
The technical arrangements for the first stage of the electrification project have been developed by Stena Teknik together with the Callenberg Technology Group. Half of the funding is being provided by the Swedish Transport Administration and the European Union.