World’s largest ship battery for 40MWh electric ferry ...

Jul 06, 2023

Corvus is to supply a 40MWh lithium polymer battery system for the world`s largest 100% lightweight electric ferry. This will be the largest battery system installed onboard a ship – four times as big as the current largest installation.

Incat shipyard in Tasmania will build the aluminum-constructed vessel on behalf of its South American customer, Buquebus. The large ferry, 130m in overall length, will have the capacity for 2100 passengers and crew, 225 cars, and a 2000 square meter Duty-Free Shop, all housed on one level.

The vessel will be the largest of its type with the highest ESS capacity and it will also have the longest zero-emission journey, at the highest speed, and it will be charged with the world’s highest capacity chargers.

The battery system will be delivered by the end of 2024 and uses the Corvus Dolphin NextGen lightweight battery. This is based on the architecture of the 4-year, multi-million development program for the Corvus Blue Whale ESS. The Blue Whale development included a ground-up redesign that reevaluated and improved every aspect of battery design, including battery chemistry, mechanical and electrical design, and software building blocks.

With the battery systems delivered by the end of 2024 the vessel will enter operation in 2025.

“This groundbreaking project marks a turning point in the maritime industry’s effort to transition towards greener means of transportation. Combining cutting-edge technology, environmental consciousness, and innovative design, it redefines the future of ferry operations worldwide and paves the way for other large, zero-emission vessels,” said Halvard Hauso, Commercial Director Europe, Corvus Energy. “We are very grateful that Wärtsilä once again chose Corvus Energy as their partner for such an important and advanced project.”

“The ferry will also be the first fully electric vessel in South America, operating between Argentina and Uruguay. Hauso cites the significance of this milestone as a positive indicator of the increasing adoption of maritime electrification. This project demonstrates that “maritime decarbonization is now happening worldwide, not only in Europe.”

The purpose-built, field-proven battery systems provide sustained power to hybrid and all-electric heavy industrial equipment, including large marine propulsion drives. Corvus has experience from almost 900 projects, totaling over 750 MWh and more than 6 million operating hours. The company also develops maritime hydrogen fuel cells in collaboration with the world leader in fuel cell technology, Toyota.

www.corvusenergy.com