Atlantic Towing selects Vard Electro for PSV battery hybrid conversion

Written by Nick Blenkey
Atlantic Shrike will be first Canadian offshore vessek converted to plug-in hybrid

Atlantic Shriike [Photo: Atlantic Towing]

Saint John, New Brunswick, headquartered J.D. Irving Group company Atlantic Towing has selected Vard Electro to integrate a hybrid battery system into the diesel-electric propulsion plant of its 2017-built PSV Atlantic Shrike.

According to Vard Electro, Atlantic Towing is the first company in the Canadian offshore oil and gas industry to implement this multiple mode application of battery technologies on a single vessel.

Atlantic Towing has received funding for the project through Petroleum Research Newfoundland & Labrador (PRNL) as a component of the offshore research, development and demonstration program of Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Utilizing its experience as a system integrator, Vard Electro will deliver a containerized SeaQ Energy Storage System (ESS) to supply hybrid battery power. The main system components are all fitted into a self-containing deck house to ensure a fast vessel installation while keeping a high focus on quality. Control and monitoring of the hybrid system is handled by the energy management system (EMS) that communicates with the existing control systems onboard.

Containerized SeaQ Energy Storage System (ESS) to supply the system’s hybrid battery power.
Vard Electro will deliver a containerized SeaQ Energy Storage System (ESS) to supply the system’s hybrid battery power.

The SeaQ ESS includes modes for peak shaving, spinning reserve and zero emission transit. By using the batteries to absorb and dispense energy through load fluctuations and running the engines at optimal load, significant efficiency improvements in fuel consumption and emission reduction can be achieved.

SeaQ ESS is based on unique hybrid technology. The main purpose of the system is to reduce emissions, fuel consumption and increase safety. The SeaQ ESS stores excess energy available in the vessel and use it later to reduce fuel consumption and optimize the performance of the vessel. It facilitates operations with fewer engines online, while the engines that are online can operate at a more optimal load. Safety is increased due to the batteries’ ability to supply immediate energy in critical situations.

To simplify installation, integration and make energy storage systems more flexible, Vard has standardized the design while tailoring the interface to the vessel’s systems.

The system can be used as a spinning reserve in DP operations, to enhance dynamic response, to perform peak shaving of loads, for strategic loading where the operating point of the gensets is optimized for battery only operations with zero-emission.

With a steady increase in demand for hybrid battery systems, Vard Electro says it is important to manage resources in an ethical and environmentally conscious way. In our SeaQ ESS we will be able to recycle 99% of the battery weight, says the company. When a lithium-ion battery has served on-board a ship for its intended use and lifetime, the remaining capacity will be used for other purposes in other industries.

“We share the ambitions of Atlantic Towing and are looking forward to implement the products and integrated solutions that will lead to a greener industry. The innovative design and extended battery size offer a range of benefits and will be a perfect fit for the operational profile of this vessel” says Peter Pilskog, vice president sales & business development, Vard Electro.

“The team in Canada is very excited about this project. We are thrilled to be installing our innovative and cost-effective SeaQ solutions that has been adapted to the local industry requirements,” says Pierre Poulain, managing director, Vard Electro Canada.

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