MI 2020 Solutions FINAL

SECTION 04
TRANSPORTATION
02
FUTURE OF THE FJORDS
CHALLENGE
Hundreds of cruise-vessels visit
the famous Norwegian fjords
every summer, causing air
pollution in the area. Emissions
could be considerably reduced if
some of the cruise vessels could
stop closer to the coastline and
use zero emission vessels to show
tourists some of the UNESCO
world heritage areas.
INNOVATION
Brødrene Aa built the world’s
first civilian passenger boat in
carbon fibre back in 2001. Now
they have taken this a step further
by constructing an all-electric
passenger vessel called Future
of the Fjords. They combined a
low weight carbon fibre structure
with the lightest lithium battery
technology, and an effective
propulsion line with controllable
pitch propellers, to deliver a
zero emission vessel. The vessel
also has a unique universal
design, giving tourists a special
experience of the scenery in the
Norwegian Fjords.
maritime transport. PILOT-E is a
collaboration between different
Norwegian support systems to
fast-track through the stages of
research from idea to market. It
was inspired by the American
programmes designed to address
specific challenges, such as the
Advanced Research Projects
Agency and Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency.
ACTION
To increase the range of this type of
weight sensitive vessel, the battery
technology needs to be improved,
and a higher energy density is
also needed. It is also important to
source a lower price battery.
POTENTIAL
When Future of the Fjords can
operate at 16 knots, with 400
passengers for 2.5 hours, it will be
a real eye-opener in the market for
zero emission vessels. Brødrene
Aa has already received many
enquiries from all over the world
about the boat.
NORWAY
JP, SE, DE, KR
©Brødrene Aa
The project is part of the
Norwegian Research Council’s
PILOT-E programme, which
is focused on emission-free
USEFUL LINKS:
braa.no
64 65