
Siemens expands electric ship battery and fuel cell systems
The Siship BlueDrive Eco integrates an in-house developed battery systems with small to medium-sized propulsion systems from 5 kilowatts (kW) in auxiliary mode up to 5.5 megawatts (MW) for the main drive
The Siship BlueDrive topology is based on DC technology and offers a wide range of benefits such as continuously reliable operation, a leaner design due to fewer components, an extended life cycle and fuel savings. The regulations and requirements surrounding green propulsion systems for use on inland and coastal waterway transportation are growing ever more stringent, forcing the shipbuilding industry to rethink its approach. This has impacted on rolls royce, which is selling its marine division to Kongsberg in Norway.
While new drive solutions are required to produce only minimal emissions, they also have to be economical for the operating companies. The systems are designed to be used in ship types which can be diesel-electric, hybrid or fully electrically powered such as ferries, yachts, cruise liners and work boats or research vessels.
Successfully completed projects include the passenger ship MS Diamant in Switzerland, the HADAG harbor ferry in Hamburg, and the Ampere, the world’s first fully electric ferry in Norway lajuched in 2015 (above).
Siemens is also working with Power Cell, a Swedish producer of fuel cell modules, on the integration of fuel cell modules in shipping. Siemens will supply the SISHIP BlueDrive integrated energy and propulsion system into which PowerCell will install its fuel cell modules. Possible joint projects could include energy supply systems for ferries, yachts, cruise ships and research vessels. By 2020, both partners will have chosen an appropriate collaborative model.
