Wärtsilä is to supply its HY Module, a containerized hybrid battery power and energy storage system, to Maersk Supply Service, a Denmark-based provider of offshore marine services and integrated solutions for the energy sector. The Danish company’s goal is to reduce the carbon intensity of its fleet by 50% before the end of this decade.
The hybrid power conversion will be carried out on the Maersk Minder, a deep-water anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, during the early part of 2022 and is believed to be the world’s first AHTS hybrid battery conversion. The expectation is that the HY system will decrease fuel consumption, and therefore also carbon emissions, by 15%. The conversion will reportedly reduce the vessel’s maintenance requirements while increasing operational performance.
“Maersk Supply Service is taking an active role in decarbonizing the offshore support vessel sector. This requires behavioral changes in the way we operate our vessels, as well as technological upgrades to our fleet. With this Wärtsilä HY Module, we are taking a significant step on our path to further reducing the emissions from our diesel-electric vessels,” said Mark Handin, COO of Maersk Supply Service.
The main system components to be supplied include the hybrid drive, energy storage system (ESS) and transformer, with control and monitoring of the hybrid system handled by an energy management system (EMS). Wärtsilä claims the system will achieve peak shaving, spinning reserve and significant efficiency improvements by running the engines at optimal load and using the batteries to absorb a large proportion of load fluctuations.
Wärtsilä is also supplying the full engine-room fit-out for the vessel, including the diesel engines, thrusters, propeller arrangement, seals and bearings, as well as the integrated automation and planned maintenance systems.
“We share Maersk Supply Service’s decarbonization ambitions and are fully committed to developing the products, systems and integrated solutions needed to achieve these ambitions. The Wärtsilä HY Module is a prime example of this commitment. Its innovative design and extended battery life offer real benefits and will be a great fit for anchor handling tug supply vessels, as it already is for other vessel types,” commented Kenneth Bang, service account manager at Wärtsilä Marine Power.