Corvus Energy secures contract for new Norwegian battery-electric ferry

Corvus Energy has been chosen by total system integrator Norwegian Electric System (NES) to supply a lithium-ion-based energy storage system (ESS) for a new all-electric ferry being built by Fjellstrand for Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1. A 2.9MWh Orca Energy ESS solution will supply electrical power to the ferry’s NES-supplied all-electric power and propulsion system. “This vessel will set a new standard for all-electric ferries,” said Stein Ruben Larsen, VP of sales at NES. “With the Corvus Orca ESS, it will be able to sail further than existing all-electric ferries.” Fjord1 ferries are important to the transportation infrastructure along the west coast of Norway, crossing the fjords and connecting the islands to the mainland. The Fjord1 ferries and passenger boats transported 10.5 million vehicles and 21.5 million passengers in 2014. This new all-electric ferry will operate on the Halhjem-Våge route in Hordaland. Furthermore, Corvus Energy has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its global operations, manufacturing and service processes. A recent audit covered ISO 9001:2008 requirements and ISO 9001:2015 transition requirements. The scope of this certification includes design, development, manufacturing and services for lithium-ion-based ESS. “For a large marine vessel depending solely on a Corvus ESS for its power, everything that goes into producing that solution must be of the highest quality,” said Neil Lang, COO and general manager, North America, Corvus Energy. “We believe that achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification will enable Corvus to exceed the requirements of our markets, and allow Corvus to scale to meet the growing global demand for Corvus energy storage systems.” And finally, Corvus Energy has announced the appointment of Geir Bjørkeli as its new CEO. Bjørkeli was previously director of Norway for Dutch company Huisman, a design engineer with ship designer and shipbuilder Ulstein, and held several positions with Rolls-Royce. He succeeds outgoing CEO Andrew Morden. “I am really excited to join a company that is the market leader in marine energy storage,” said Bjørkeli, a mechanical engineer with an MBA in Shipping, Offshore and Finance. “I look forward to working alongside Corvus employees and in close cooperation with the company’s customers to develop the company and its products and services even further.” Nick Andrews, chairman of the board of Corvus Energy, added, “Geir has impressed us with his extensive technical and commercial experience in internationally traded industrial and offshore equipment. He has the experience and the drive needed to guide Corvus through the company’s current period of high international growth, and we are confident that he will be a strong addition to the Corvus team. “At this time, we would also like to thank our outgoing CEO, Andrew Morden, for his leadership and contribution to Corvus’s success. During his tenure, Corvus grew its position as the global leader in the rapidly expanding marine lithium-ion battery market, and has been able to attract a strong base of world-class investors, including Statoil, Norske Hydro and the BW Group.”