Marine Log - April 2008 - (Page 34)

TUGS&BARGES ICE CLASS TANKERS Black box part of a green future Technology first developed for the U.S. Navy’s all-electric ships has now found its way into the commercial marine sector, including a hybrid tug. American Superconductor Corp., Devens, Mass., recently received orders to supply its PowerModule-based electrical systems to manage more than 30 MW of power aboard three megayachts and a river cruiser being built in Europe. Additionally, the company is also supplying its PowerModule power converters and PowerModule System Developer Kit to a “Canadian maritime engineering firm.” Under a contract with the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research, American Superconductor is working on the Navy’s Power Electronic Building Blocks program. American Superconductor has developed a 36.5 MW High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) electric propulsion motor for the Navy. For the hybrid tug application, the Canadian engineering firm is expected to use the kit to simplify the development of power conversion systems. The PowerModule converters (inset, at right) will be used to interface with the batteries used for supplying electric power for the tug’s propulsion system and for recharging the batteries, according to Perry Schugart, Director of Business Development, Power Converters for American Superconductor. “The batteries utilized in these hybrid applications,” says Schugart, “power the tug during the times when it is not actively engaged in towing another vessel.” The benefit of the Power Module converter, says Schugart, is that it “allows hybrid systems to be implemented more rapidly. Compared to competitive solutions, the flexibility of the American Superconductor’s PowerModule allows these systems to be easily adapted and configured to meet specific customer needs.” Schugart points out that the real benefit for operators and the environment is that hybrid systems use less diesel fuel, yielding better fuel consumption and cost savings, thus reducing emissions. In March 2007, Foss Maritime, Seattle, Wash., announced it would design and construct a hybrid harbor assist tug capable of operating on only batteries in standby mode in order to cut main engine idling, fuel consumption and emissions in port (see ML, April 2007, p. 33). Foss Maritime’s partner in the development of the hybrid tug is Aspin, Kemp & Associates, which has its corporate headquarters in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. The hybrid tug is expected to share the same footprint as Foss Maritime’s Dolphin Class tugs. The 78 ft x 34 ft tug will have Rolls-Royce Azimuthing Stern Drives, which will be powered by batteries coupled to Cummins diesel gensets. 34 MARINE LOG APRIL 2008 www.marinelog.com http://www.jmsnet.com http://www.jmsnet.com http://www.hermeticinc.com http://www.hermeticinc.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - April 2008

Marine Log - April 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Offshore Vessels Evolve to Meet Subsea Demands Picking the Right Floaters for Deepwater Tugs: The Good Times Roll, But for How Long? Interactive TV at Sea Jo-Kell's Suzan Kelly Tugs & Barges Exhibitors Preview Beyond Imagination Tech News Newsmakers Contracts Events Website Directory Infodirect ML Marketplace Last Page

Marine Log - April 2008

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