Wärtsilä has successfully tested its automatic wireless induction charging system on a hybrid powered coastal ferry.
This is the first commercial ferry in the world operating with high power wireless charging capability for its batteries, and the project represents a notable breakthrough in the evolution of plug-in electrically operated vessels. The tests were carried out on the 85 metre long MF Folgefonn in Norwegian waters during the end of August/early September of this year. The ferry is owned by Norled, one of Norway's largest ferry operators.
Inductive Power Transfer
Wireless charging eliminates the cable connection between the vessel and shore, thereby securing and facilitating safe connections and disconnections. It also reduces maintenance since wear and tear to physical connection lines is eliminated. The integrated Wärtsilä system is based on inductive power transfer and is capable of transferring more than a MW of electrical energy.
The system is designed to maintain efficient power transfer at distances of 50 centimetres between the two charging plates built into the side of the vessel and the quay. No other wireless charging system is as powerful, or capable of maintaining the transfer of energy at such a distance.
The project has been partly funded by Innovation Norway, a Norwegian funding institution.
Picture: Wärtsilä's wireless charging system is the first in the world to operate successfully with a coastal ferry.
