Hybrid electric ferry cuts emissions

The 27.5m vessel, designed and built by Baltic Workboats to serve the Stockholm archipelago, operates with two diesel engines and a battery pack. With good weather conditions, the ferry can operate with one diesel engine and the battery pack system, further minimising emissions.

Peeter Raamat, head of the technical department at Baltic Workboats, commented: “A hybrid vessel was the perfect choice for the city of Stockholm. The ferry will have to operate across all seasons, so we needed a system that would enable the crew to switch to diesel-electric or batteries in case of engine failure.”

The Danfoss Editron marine system consists of two hybrid drivetrains with permanent magnet electrical motors and generators. The system is half the size of a conventional, diesel-electric propulsion system, Editron’s highly-efficient permanent magnet machines cut fuel and running costs, resulting in significantly reduced CO2 emissions and payback period.

The hybrid propulsion system is integrated into a single common unit controlled by Baltic Workboats’ monitoring and alarm system. The vessel is also equipped with an exhaust cleaning elective catalyst reduction system to further reduce emissions.

By Rebecca Jeffrey