Wärtsilä and Corvus Energy collaborate to power the world's largest battery electric ship
MBF Members Corvus Energy and Wärtsilä have announced their collaboration on what is going to be the world’s largest battery electric ship. The 130m ferry will have the capacity for 2100 passengers and crew and 225 cars, and will be powered by an impressive 40 MWh battery system.
Photo caption: Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat has under construction the largest lightweight battery-electric ship (130 m in length) so far constructed in the world for delivery to its South American customer, Buquebus. Copyright Incat
A New Era of Green Transportation
The ferry will be built by Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat and will be pushing the boundaries of what we have seen so far regarding battery systems on board ships. This vessel will be the largest of its type with the highest ESS capacity. It will also have the longest zero-emission journey, at the highest speed, and it will be charged with the world’s highest capacity chargers.
“This groundbreaking project marks a turning point in the maritime industry's effort to transition towards greener means of transportation. Combining cutting-edge technology, environmental consciousness, and innovative design, it redefines the future of ferry operations worldwide and paves the way for other large, zero-emission vessels,” says Halvard Hauso Commercial Director Europe, Corvus Energy.
Photo caption: Buequebus all-electric Ro-Pax ferry rendering. Copyright Incat
Milestone for maritime decarbonization in South America
“The ferry will also be the first fully electric vessel in South America, operating between Argentina and Uruguay. Hauso cites the significance of this milestone as a positive indicator of the increasing adoption of maritime electrification. This project demonstrates that “maritime decarbonization is now happening worldwide, not only in Europe.”
Powered by Advancing Battery Energy Storage Technology
This project is made possible by Corvus` latest technological breakthrough– the lightweight battery, Dolphin NextGen. The design is based on the architecture of the 4-year, multi-million development program for the Corvus Blue Whale ESS. The Blue Whale development included a ground-up redesign that reevaluated and improved every aspect of battery design, including battery chemistry, mechanical and electrical design, and software building blocks.
Photo caption: The ferry will have more than 40 MWh of Corvus Dolphin NextGen batteries installed. Copyright Corvus Energy
The Dolphin NextGen ESS is a game changer for marine battery projects due to its low weight and volumetric density, robustness, and unsurpassed flexibility.
The battery systems are scheduled for delivery end of 2024 and the vessel will enter operation in 2025.