Kongsberg Maritime was contracted by Island Offshore, a leading Norwegian supplier of high-quality solutions for the offshore oil field, to provide turnkey hybrid battery solutions for three of the company’s UT 776 CD-design Platform Supply Vessels.
Two of the ships, Island Crusader and Island Contender, had previously served with a mixture of Bergen LNG engines and Bergen Diesel engines, while the Island Commander had four diesels installed.
The conversion of all three into hybrid vessels not only reflects Island Offshore’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility values, but also unlocks a wealth of potential for improved operating performance and a marked reduction in maintenance requirements. It in turn translates into substantial cost savings for the business.
PSVs usually used to run multiple engines to achieve redundancy, with consequent impacts on fuel efficiency, safety facilities, and pollution. Yet the combination of traditional LNG or diesel engines with KONGSBERG’s SAVe Energy battery system–verified by DNV-GL–yields immediate benefits.
The batteries enable fewer engines to run, thereby improving efficiency by increasing the load on the remaining engines while also providing power on demand instantly: ideal for low-load operations such as dynamic positioning.
Also, fuel consumption and operating costs can be minimized by converting the vessels to closed bus-line service.
Island Offshore’s solution will work through a single feed from the ESS (Energy Storage System) to the main switchboard–with manual switching allowing operators to manage running hours on generators–and a dual shore link of 600kW.
The 8m/26 ft ESS 896kWh deckhouse from Kongsberg Maritime will comprise a standard, type-approved, liquid-cooled container solution with air-cooled SAVe Energy batteries. The comprehensive supply selection will also include changes to the main switchboard and K-Power EMS energy management system for each vessel, as well as an update to the Acon automation and alarm system.
“We are pleased to be working with Kongsberg Maritime on this endeavour, as a leading supplier and strategic partner to our business. By making this investment despite challenging market conditions, we underline our commitment to continue reducing our vessels’ environmental footprints, and our strong belief in a sustainable future for our business.”
Tommy Walaunet, managing director, Island Offshore Management.
“The operational, financial and ecological benefits of hybridisation based on our lithium-ion SAVe Energy modular energy storage system speak for themselves. Applying this concept to the PSV market sets an important precedent for the industry, and we’re pleased to have been entrusted with delivering this integrated technology package for these Island Offshore vessels.”
Gaute Aasen Augestad, regional sales manager (EMEA), Kongsberg Maritime.
