Harvey Gulf to retrofit LNG-fueled PSVs to battery-hybrid

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Harvey Energy

The first LNG fueled platform supply vessel in the America’s will soon be even more efficient and environmentally friendly. Harvey Gulf International is to retrofit its Harvey Energy with an energy storage solution from Wärtsilä.

The hybrid retrofit installation will significantly enhance the efficiency and environmental performance of the vessel.

“The company has ordered a GE battery system for the Harvey Supporter as well,” said Harvey Gulf Marine Chairman and CEO Shane Guidry. “We are pleased to work with Wärtsilä and GE to deliver America’s first two battery systems to oil & gas service vessels. These two systems will only be the beginning of the installation of battery power systems on board service vessels, and we want to continue to deliver the best emissions and fuel savings technologies to our customers, our country and our industry.

“At Harvey,” he continued, “my management team and I are also committed to delivering Safe Excellent Service (SES) and we stand fully prepared to merge with others and run a bigger company, thus delivering SES with low cost, fuel-efficient solutions on larger scale to all customers.”

The installation of a Wärtsilä 1,450 kW battery hybrid solution will reduce the Harvey Energy’s exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and noise level. The overall fuel cost savings are expected to be in the range of 10 to 20 percent. The battery capacity will be sufficient to sail in and out of harbor on electric power, while also providing hotel load electricity when docked, which will reduce noise and pollution levels in the harbor area. Furthermore, the ability to operate on battery power will assist maneuverability during critical dynamic positioning (DP) operations at the offshore platform.

Included in the solution are the Energy Storage System, the Energy Management System, the transformer and drive, all mounted within a single container. The project will also include integration with the existing Wärtsilä Power Distribution, Power Management, and Integrated Automation Systems. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in December 2019.

“We partnered with Wärtsilä several years ago due to their significant experience in LNG and dual fuel engine technology, which fit very well with Harvey Gulf’s mission to have the most fuel efficient environmentally friendly fleet of platform supply vessels in the Americas.” said Guidry. “When we decided to enhance these traits by installing hybrid technology, Wärtsilä was the natural choice,”

Guidry added that Wärtsilä’s “very strong service support after vessel delivery” had proven itself in zero unscheduled down time on the five LNG fueled PSV’s in Harvey Gulf’s fleet.

Wärtsilä’s hybrid solutions are based on a “first-of-its kind” fully integrated hybrid power module. This combines engines, an energy storage system using batteries, and power electronics optimized to work together through an innovative, Wärtsilä developed energy management system. The solution marks a new benchmark in marine hybrid propulsion. While the Harvey Energy will be the first PSV in the Americas to have a hybrid retrofit, Wärtsilä has already completed a number of hybrid retrofits for PSVs in Europe.

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