RFP out for battery-hybrid Governors Island ferry
Written by Nick Blenkey
New vessel is on track to be first battery-hybrid ferry to operate in New York Harbor
Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) reports that its design for a 190-foot passenger/vehicle ferry for the Trust for Governors Island is out for bid.
The ferry will operate between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island, a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor that is now open to the public year round.
Sustainability solutions are at the heart of the island’s development and the new ferry is on track to be the first-ever hybrid vehicle and passenger ferry in New York Harbor and will be designed for future all-electric operation.
According to documentation in the RFP package “the vessel will be equipped with a battery hybrid diesel electric propulsion system. Propulsion will be provided by two variable‐speed, reversing permanent magnet motors rated for 540 kW at 670 rpm. Drive will be through two Voith Schneider Propellers (VSPs), one at each end of the vessel. The hybrid propulsion system shall be optimized for fuel consumption, engine hours, and to minimize exhaust gas generation.
“The vessel shall be configured for future all‐electric operation with increased battery capacity and a future addition of shore power charging facilities.
“Installed hybrid equipment shall be all‐electric ready including for connection of the necessary additional batteries and the higher capacity shore power transformer. Space allocation for additional batteries to be provided in battery rooms, though HVAC and cooling upgrades will be necessary at time of battery installation.”
Proposals are due on February 14, 2022 and pre-proposal meetings are scheduled for December 16 and 22, 2021.
