Rolls-Royce (RR) is introducing a lithium-ion based energy storage system for ships.
Energy storage is a major green investment for a ship owner. Returns are maximised when the system is correctly dimensioned for the specific ship, and includes intelligent power control. RR has been delivering energy storage systems since 2010, but the actual energy storage units were previously supplied by an external party.
SAVe Energy
RR now offers SAVe Energy, a cost competitive, highly efficient and liquid cooled battery system with a modular design that enables the product to scale according to energy and power requirements. SAVe Energy complies with international legislations for low and zero emission propulsion systems.
SAVe Energy is be delivered from the RR Power Electric site in Bergen, Norway, as part of the company’s offering of complete ship systems.
SAVe Energy can be applied to several areas including peak shaving, spinning reserve and battery powered vessels. Combined with an LNG or diesel powered engine in a hybrid solution, it will increase efficiency and reduce emissions, and can be coupled with most types of propulsion units. In a hybrid set up, SAVe Energy handles the peak load, while the main power generators will relate to the average load and not reduce the propulsion units thrusting capabilities.
'Electrification Is Building Momentum'
Andreas Seth, RR, EVP Electrical, Automation and Control – Commercial Marine, said: 'The electrification of ships is building momentum. From 2010 we have delivered battery systems representing about 15 MWh in total. However, now the potential deployment of our patent pending SAVe Energy in 2019 alone is 10-18 MWh.'
Norwegian Funding
The development work has been partly funded by the Norwegian Research Council of Norway’s ENERGIX program. The three ship owning companies Color Line, Norled and the Norwegian Coastal Administration Shipping Company have been partners in the development, ensuring that the energy storage system covers a wide variety of marine applications, including ferries, cruise vessels and multi-purpose vessels.
Class Approved
SAVe Energy is an ESU system (Energy Storage Unit), and was recently class approved by DNV GL, confirming that SAVe Energy has been developed in compliance with the newest 2018 ruleset, and are accepted for installation on all vessels classed by DNV GL.
Picture: Illustration of a ship system setup with batteries. This example shows a hybrid system for a tugboat (by RR).
