Brazilian OSV operator in battery hybrid first

The operating efficiency of the CBO Flamengo will be upgraded with installation of the Wärtsilä Hybrid Solution.[Image © CBO]

Wärtsilä and Brazilian offshore support vessel operator CBO have recently signed an agreement that will see CBO’s platform supply vessel CBO Flamengo become the first vessel in Latin America to be fitted with a battery pack for hybrid propulsion.

The Wärtsilä Hybrid Solution to be installed on the PSV complies with the DNV-GL’s “Battery Power” class notation. It will allow the ship’s engines to run more efficiently by operating safely with fewer engines at a higher load. The hybrid system will provide redundancy power and reduce intermittent load increases (peak shaving), saving fuel and reducing exhaust emission levels. As the engines will operate for fewer running hours, maintenance requirements and costs will be reduced.

“INNOVATION IS IN OUR DNA”

“CBO is always interested in new technologies and innovation is in our DNA,” says Marcelo Martins, Technical and Commercial Director at CBO. “We seek less fossil fuel consumption and this, aligned with our ESG (environmental and social governance) initiatives, makes the decision to install batteries in our vessels a natural path. CBO will offer more efficient operation to our clients, and this will be the first step of more to come.”

“Wärtsilä is a leader in innovation and has extensive know-how in hybrid battery systems for ships, so we are pleased to join forces with Wärtsilä to implement new technologies into CBO’s fleet,” he added.

“We are proud that a forward-looking company like CBO has selected Wärtsilä as its project partner in supplying this ground-breaking technology for Brazil’s first hybrid vessel. Our strong track-record and depth of experience in developing advanced hybrid solutions were the key reasons for the award of this contract,” says Ian Brouwer, senior sales manager at Wärtsilä Marine Power.

Wärtsilä’s contract scope includes the power conversion, project services, the hybrid solution delivery, and commissioning.

Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for April 2021. Installation and integration of the equipment will be handled by CBO.

INTEGRATED HYBRID POWER MODULE

Wärtsilä has brought together multiple functions and systems to deliver a single integrated hybrid power module that combines engines, an energy storage system, and power electronics optimised by a unique and sophisticated energy management system (EMS).

The EMS functions as the “brain” in the Wärtsilä Hybrid System. It optimises the energy flows between the different power sources, storage, and consumers to achieve the highest efficiency possible.