E&H Marine’s new columnist explains how modern, successful approaches to vessel electrification must look beyond just propulsion.
Riding the wave of this e-mobility transition has, for most of us, made this a very exciting time to be working in or around these technologies – knowing we are part of something much bigger than ourselves, and living during a time that will be known by future generations as the ‘e-mobility revolution’.
We’re at a stage of this revolution when knowledge and experience are still widely sought commodities and, when given the facts of an application, we’re all able to consider the options today and gain an understanding of what might be available tomorrow.
Appreciating where we have come from – and where we are going – keeps our feet firmly on the deck. So does the realization that we are going to continually be challenged by the demands and expectations for vessel range and speed – challenges not likely to go away anytime soon.
Now that we’re becoming aware of the levels of efficiency that electric and hybrid propulsion technologies can deliver from the energy stored in a battery, and of the propulsive power that it’s possible to get at the propeller, there is a shift in focus toward complementary technologies that look set to change the way we operate, design and construct the vessels of tomorrow. This new mindset focuses on efficiency gains instead of simply throwing horsepower at a poorly designed vessel and its souped-up intended application. In short, e-mobility on the water is about much more than just installing a motor and a battery – electrification extends to all parts of the vessel and beyond.
The search for vessel efficiency and the identification of areas where gains can be made bring together an interesting list of complementary technologies – from kites, hull coatings and foils to charging networks and vessel performance software. And with all this innovative and groundbreaking technology comes a plethora of challenges for our industry – from integration, certification and even sourcing the necessary expertise, to designing, installing and maintaining the hardware. In future issues, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into some of these complementary technologies, highlighting how they can benefit vessel efficiency in real-world applications, as well as exploring the pros and cons for vessel designers, operators and owners.
Complementary technologies are more than just a bolt-on extra or a quick fix. They are a part of a vessel’s complete propulsion solution and are starting to become big business for designers and manufacturers, who can offer vessel applications real efficiency gains. Such gains can equate to a tidy financial benefit or, in some cases, can be the difference between a particular application being feasible or not.
Vessel design and construction has long been a dance – weighing up the compromises to get a result that satisfies requirements and expectations. This technology revolution is turning norms and traditions on their head and bringing futureproof vessels to market.
As it’s all a numbers game, gaining insight and understanding of the implications of incorporating and operating these complementary technologies needs real-life data – evidence that gives us the ability to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of any particular choice and, ultimately, gives an idea of the financial payback in the long term or over the life of a vessel.
Look out for explorations into some of these technologies, and their potential to benefit the wider e-mobility transition, in upcoming issues of E&H Marine.
This article was originally published in the January 2024 issue of Electric and Hybrid Marine Technology. To view the magazine in full, click here.
