Corvus Energy has been selected to supply energy storage systems (ESS) for Statue City Cruises’ ferries servicing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island routes in New York Harbor.
Statue City Cruises’ nine-ferry fleet will be equipped with Corvus Orca ESS. This marine energy storage system has been used on board over 700 maritime vessels around the world. The battery system sizes will vary based on the power needs of each vessel. Partnering with Statue City Cruises, Corvus Energy is working side-by-side with system integrator company Karl Senner for the electrical integration of the battery systems.
In addition to supplying battery systems, Corus Energy will provide ongoing system monitoring and aftermarket services, including remote troubleshooting, spare parts, service engineers and training for crew members, to support optimized system performance and lifetime.
Tor-Gunnar Hovig, senior vice president (SVP) of Corvus Energy Americas, states, “We are very pleased that Statue City Cruises selected Corvus Energy battery systems for the hybridization of their fleet and to help contribute to a more sustainable ferry service on the high-traffic Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty routes. Battery-powered vessel functions produce zero emissions and require zero fuel, which in turn helps to reduce the environmental impact of the overall vessel operation.”
Advanced battery system monitoring technology
To optimize battery performance over the lifetime of the system, Corvus Energy developed a proprietary cloud-based technology that continuously monitors ESS function and provides real-time performance insights. The online monitoring tool uses big data, machine learning (ML) and algorithms based on field-proven data to support predictive maintenance, optimized system use and proactive troubleshooting. A secure digital solution, the Corvus Orca ESS used in conjunction with the Corvus monitoring system was awarded Cyber Security Type Approval from maritime classification society DNV.
Sustainable ferry transit
The systems are expected to reduce fuel consumption and emissions along the New York/New Jersey waterfront. The hybridization of the Statue City Cruises fleet demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability. In fact, the parent company of Statue City Cruises, Hornblower Group, was the first to introduce hybrid-powered passenger ferry service in the United States through their affiliated brand Alcatraz City Cruises.
The Alcatraz City Cruises fleet of hybrid ferries, including the Alcatraz Flyer and Alcatraz Clipper, currently offer transit to Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. Both vessels use a Corvus ESS and are capable of zero-emission, fully electric service. A third vessel, the Hornblower Hybrid, is also in the process of installing a new ESS for fully electric operation.
By leveraging energy-efficient upgrades, including energy storage, Alcatraz City Cruises states its fleet annually saves over 235,000 gallons of fuel, which it says is is “equivalent to taking 450 cars off the road or planting 718 acres of trees” each year.
Rafael Abreu, vice president (VP) of sales and marketing for Statue City Cruises, stated, “Installing energy storage systems on board our fleet allows us to provide a more sustainable transit to our passengers and will reduce the environmental impact of our operations in the New York/New Jersey region.”
In related news, Corvus Energy recently provided the battery system for the Crowley eWolf, the first fully electric ship-assist harbor tugboat in the United States. Click here to read the full story.