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POWER
HYBRID MODULES FOR ESCORT TUG
Wärtsilä will supply two HY 2 hybrid power modules for a new escort tug being built for the Swedish port of
Luleå located on the Gulf of Bothnia in the northern end of the Baltic Sea. The vessel is being built at Gondan
Shipbuilders, in Asturias,
Spain. When launched in
early 2019, it will become
the first vessel operating
with a Wärtsilä HY solution.
The Wärtsilä HY solution
will bring notable
environmental benefits, as
well as operational and
flexibility advantages that
result in considerable
economic gains. It will can
operate on electrical battery
power when in transit.
Although it is configured as
a mechanical set-up, the
'hybrid diesel-electric'
mode will allow the number
of prime movers utilised to be reduced to just one for various operational tasks. These include ship assist with
a bollard pull of up to 55 tons, or 90 tons on two main engines in diesel-mechanical mode. A bollard pull of 100
tons will be available when in boost mode.
The vessel will be capable of being completely independent from additional charging facilities, since recharging
of the energy storage system will be automatically managed by the Energy Management System, the
"brain" of the Wärtsilä HY. In addition, the installed onshore electrical connection will give the tug the
flexibility to re-charge the energy storage system, even when the tug is berthed at the quay. The Wärtsilä HY
product's operational flexibility will yield significant fuel, emissions, and maintenance cost savings.
"We expect to see the Wärtsilä HY 2 hybrid power module becoming the new technological benchmark for
tug propulsion systems given its clear economic, operational, and environmental benefits. The Wärtsilä HY
technology opens the door to a new era in shipping, and is based on our unmatched in-house capabilities in a
broad range of disciplines," explains Giulio Tirelli, Director, Marine Engineering, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
"The integrated hybrid functionality of this vessel will give us a bollard pull of up to 100 tons, while saving
fuel and maintenance costs and producing emission levels some 20% less than from a conventional ship of this
type and size. In other words, we shall have first-class performance in both its operation and its environmental
impact. We are very pleased to be getting a tug that reflects the future needs of the industry," says Henrik
Vuorinen, Managing Director, Port of Luleå.
"This new vessel will represent the state-of-the-art for modern tugs. The highly advanced technology
enhances the overall performance in terms of operations, economics, and environmental impact," says Daniel
Scavuzzo, Gondan Shipbuilders Commercial Manager.
Since the Gulf of Bothnia is typically frozen over in winter, the 36m long tug will be capable of icebreaking
operations and able to handle one metre thick ice at a speed of up to 3 knots. The Wärtsilä HY is designed to
cope with these harsh conditions.
The Wärtsilä HY scope includes an energy management system that optimises the combined use of the
engines, the energy storage systems, and the power distribution train. The mechanical machinery part is based
on two Wärtsilä 26 engines. The Wärtsilä scope also includes the tug's integrated automation and alarm
system. The equipment is scheduled to be delivered to the yard during summer 2018.
BATTERY SYSTEM FOR SUBSEA VESSEL
Wärtsilä has agreed to retrofit the world’s first energy storage solution on board a large offshore supply vessel.
The North Sea Giant, one of the world’s largest and most advanced subsea construction vessels, will be fitted
with an energy storage system that reduces the vessel’s energy consumption, operating costs and exhaust
emissions.
The retrofit energy storage system improves the operational efficiency and environmental footprint of the
North Sea Giant, responding to key requirements of Norwegian North Sea Shipping AS, the owner of the vessel.
The solution provides power redundancy and increases responsiveness of vessel operations.
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