Battery Powered Propulsion for Offshore Support Vessels

[Lokesh Kumar + 3]

Batteries for Marine Propulsion are gaining increasing interest as a viable solution to reduce CO2, SOx and NOx emissions. Recent developments in battery technology for marine applications has significantly increased vessels efficiency and safety, and reduced operating cost. Moreover, batteries are more controllable and are easier to optimize in terms of performance. In an offshore support vessel, the common diesel-electric propulsion system operating at very low loads for extended periods is inefficient. Therefore, using a battery during low loads and switching to diesel-electric propulsion for peak loads can improve the vessels performance and reduce fuel consumption. Battery systems also act as a backup power supply during the redundant power requirement for dynamic positioning (DP). The conclusion from the FellowSHIP project, a joint research and development project initiated by DNV, Eidesvik and Wartsila on the offshore support vessel; Viking Lady showed some positive performance in terms of reduced emissions, increase in efficiency, and drop in operating expenditure. It is expected that another newly built 19 battery-powered offshore support vessels will be added to the market by 2026

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