Norwegian shipping company Norled has commissioned the world’s first electrical car and passenger ferry powered by batteries.
The new vessel is built by Fjellstrand. It will be operated on the ferry link across Sognefjord between Lavik and Oppedal, Norway. It is expected to use 150kWh per route and reduce the cost of fuel by up to 60%.
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The 80m-long and 20m-wide vessel features three battery packs, including one lithium-ion battery on board the ferry, and one at each pier to serve as a buffer. The onboard batteries are recharged directly from the grid when the ferry is not in use.
For the construction of this ferry, Siemens provided the complete electric propulsion system and charging stations with lithium-ion batteries that are charged from hydro power.
Siemens delivered its electric propulsion system BlueDrive PlusC, which includes a battery and steering system, thruster control for the propellers, an energy management system and an integrated alarm system.
Siemens Business Unit Oil & Gas and Marine CEO Mario Azar said: "We are both optimistic and excited about this technology and how it will help shape the future of environmentally friendly maritime technology.
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By GlobalData"We were pleased to apply our expertise in this field including electric propulsion systems to such a worthwhile project."
This emission-free ferry is powered by two electric motors, made of light aluminum and each with an output of 450kW.
The vessel, which will be travelling 6km across the fjord 34 times a day, is capable of accommodating 360 passengers and 120 vehicles.
Image: The first battery-powered passenger ferry will reduce the cost of fuel by up to 60%. Photo: courtesy of Siemens AG.
