Rolls-Royce to launch MTU hybrid propulsion

The propulsion systems will also be made available for yachts, work boats, ferries and patrol boats in a power range extending from around 1,000 kilowatts to 4,000 kilowatts per powertrain. Rolls-Royce is planning to test a new MTU hybrid system incorporating Series 2000 engines in a yacht in 2019.

“The combination of diesel engines and electric motors, in addition to batteries, will offer our customers significant benefits in a variety of marine applications. The most important being efficiency, environmental compatibility and the flexibility of the propulsion system,” said Knut Müller, Head of the Marine and Government Business at MTU.

Variable propulsion

This new type ofvariable propulsion has modes to suit each type of vessel. For tug boats, the hybrid propulsion system offers the possibility of being able to manoeuvre very precisely using the electric motor, including using the entire power output of the diesel engines and electric motors combined.

For patrol boats and other high-performance applications, hybrid propulsion systems can offer economic benefits alongside high power output.

Rolls-Royce will be offering complete hybrid propulsion systems from MTU for ships, consisting of MTU internal combustion engines, electric drive modules, transmission systems, batteries, monitoring and control systems.

By Anne-Marie Causer