GE and C-MAR to Develop Hybrid Tugboat Technology
20 May 2008
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| GE leverages technology across its mega-hybrid projects. Shown is the hybrid mine truck, which uses a NaNiCl2 battery pack. Click to enlarge. Source: GE |
GE and the C-MAR Group are partnering to develop and to demonstrate new hybrid technology for tugboats. The two announced their alliance during the International Tug & Salvage Convention in Singapore.
Under the alliance, GE will provide a packaged hybrid propulsion system that will feature its V228 or V250 medium-speed diesel engines, a generator and a new generation of batteries. GE’s V228 or V250 medium-speed diesel engines range in power from 1,400 hp (1,004 kW) to 5,685 hp (4,239 kW).
The C-MAR Group will provide the architectural design, the vessel’s power and control systems, propulsors and overall project management of the boat. GE and the C-MAR Group are now in talks with a variety of potential customers, including port authorities, which are interested in the hybrid tug technology.
The tugboat platform builds on current hybrid technology projects for locomotives, city buses and off-highway vehicles. Other “mega-hybrid” technologies from GE include the Evolution Hybrid locomotive, available in 2009; a hybrid mine truck demonstration, in partnership with the US Department of Energy; and a zero emissions hybrid fuel cell transit bus in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration.
Both the Evolution Hybrid locomotive and the hybrid mine truck use sodium nickel chloride (NaNiCl2 batteries; the fuel cell hybrid bus will use lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to GE’s mega-hybrid activities, GE’s Global Research Center is engaged in two projects with the US Department of Energy (DOE) totaling $6.8 million to accelerate the introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles to market.
The first of the two DOE projects is a $5.6 million contract to develop smaller, lower cost, higher performing hybrid drivetrain motors for hybrid electric vehicles. The second is a $1.2 million project to develop advanced high temperature, high energy density capacitors.
GE’s research activities also extend into battery development for electric cars. In recent months, GE Energy Financial Services announced capital investments in the Norwegian electric car manufacturer THINK and lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems. GE Global Research is performing some research in conjunction with A123 to support their battery development, including batteries for the THINK vehicles.
It is encouraging to see that another organisation with plenty of resources is getting involved in the development of ESSUs (Batteries + Capacitors), control systems and electrified drive trains.
Just about everything developed for heavy equipment can be downsized for our electrified Hummers and heavy VUS.
Posted by: Harvey D | 20 May 2008 at 07:54 AM
@Harvey D,
Your observation is very apt.
Hybrid technology has advanced to the point where it has application in all large mobile systems. Isn't it delightful to see the spreading of electrified propulsion into lots of prime mover applications.
Posted by: stas peterson | 20 May 2008 at 09:21 PM
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Posted by: Mr Des Gartland | 21 May 2008 at 06:38 AM
Actually, it was our firm, who pioneered the concept of hybrid drives for tugs. We have been working with Railpower Technologies of Montreal,since 2005 (See the RailPower Technologies Web site Press Release from Sept. 2005) to adopt their hybrid and multi-generator drives to the marine industry. GE has not yet built commercially available hybrid locomotives, but is running a demonstrator unit that is still testing. RailPower has built dozens of true hybrids, and has built dozens of multi-genset locomotives and also combination units that employ both technologies. Therefore, the technology is refined and highly popular with railroads and most of all, it is being proven in service, and has run through a period of growing pains and problem-solving which is something the new venture will need to do in the future. The EcoMarine package is designed by Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., who also design tugs as part of their engineering business.
Robert Hill - EcoMarine Propulsion Systems LLC
Posted by: Robert Hill | 28 May 2008 at 02:04 PM