MBF at the Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference, 2023
The 4th Annual event, once again brought together leading maritime and shipping industry players in Bergen for 3 days of compelling debate, knowledge sharing and unrivalled networking. The MBF was present the entire time so here is a breakdown of our key takeaways!
Day one included presentations from different companies and experts, with a focus was on alternative fuels (#ammonia, #methanol and specifically maritime hydrogen fuels), highlighting potentials, applications, opportunities and barriers in contributing to the decarbonization of the maritime industry.
One thing they all have in common is that they can all benefit from hybridization with a battery system.
Organized by Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) & Maritime Hybrid, Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cells Community, day 1 rounded up with the Havila Pollux tour including the bridge, the battery room, switch board and engine control room.
Day two’s highlights included insights shared by Corvus Energy's Halvard Hauso on operational data from over 20 hybrid battery tug installations that reflected significant savings in fuel, maintenance costs and emissions, along with performance benefits over conventional diesel tugs
Other highlights included;
Hybrid systems with multiple energy sources like fuel cells, batteries, and low emission engines provide flexibility but also integration challenges. Seamless integration requires interoperability across control systems.
Regulations need to evolve to keep pace with new technologies. Safety standards, testing protocols, and class approvals must be developed.
Crew training and new maintenance procedures need to be established for these complex systems and alternative fuels. Human factors must be considered early in the design process.
Lifecycle emissions and costs depend strongly on the future cost trajectory of alternative fuels as well as carbon taxes. But modelling shows long term potential for cost competitiveness
Day 3’s main highlight was the MBF director Syb Ten Cate Hoedemaker’s presentation of our recently released Guideline towards the standardization of containerized maritime battery systems. He also highlighted the #opportunities, different #applications and possible challenges of #swappable, flexible or #fixed battery containers with visual examples from our members ( Alphenaar by Zero Emission Services, Sea Q power by VARD, BOB by Corvus Energy and Wärtsilä battery system on Maesrk minder.
Here are other key take aways
Battery safety, #standards and #regulations as well as the importance of unified #training programs for crew & emergency responders - Brynhild Garberg Olsø - SINTEF community, Dr Kerstin Knott - SINTEF Digital
Andreas Ullrich from MBF member Bureau Veritas Group, emphasized on battery #safety and the role of class societies in risk mitigation.
69% of day 3 conference attendees believe that batteries in combination with other #alternative fuels are our best bet to reducing #carbon #emissions in the maritime industry.
Panelists believe that safety is a responsibility for the entire industry. From battery manufacturers to ship builders & designers to the crew, everyone has a vital role to play in combating fires onboard battery powered ships.
Thank you to all our members who showed up and participated;
Corvus Energy, EST-Floattech | Energy Storage Solutions , FIFI4MARINE, EAS Batteries GmbH, Lehmann Marine GmbH, Sanmar A.Ş., Bureau Veritas Group, DNV, Kongsberg Maritime, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Damen, ABB, Norwegian Electric Systems (NES), Rem Offshore, Simon Møkster Shipping AS, SINTEF, Skuld, Wärtsilä, ULSTEIN
What better way to round up this week than to pay a visit to some of our members in Bergen?
We were glad to have had the chance to discuss member needs and expectations, collaboration opportunities between members and exchange ideas over coffee.
We are grateful for the warm hospitality from ;
Øystein Kalvenes, Sigurd Vik, @Rune Kolbeinsvik and Joakim Warpe from Austevoll Elektro
Lars Christian Larsen and Arnstein Kløvrud from DOF
Torbjørn Haugland, Håkon Gjøvåg Klepsvik and the team at Norwegian Electric Systems (NES)
