Roar of approval for Li-Ion battery power

‘Pioneers in the boating industry who work on hybrid electric boats can find it difficult to create reliable green systems,’ said John de Rijk, technical director, Mastervolt International BV.

‘They often have problems sourcing compatible products, or lack the necessary specialist knowledge. The electric propulsion side is complex, but achievable, as the engineers are already familiar with bow thrusters and electric winches. The true challenge starts when looking at the battery power required, and the many ways in which that power can be regenerated. This is where Mastervolt comes in.’

Hybrids use a powerful electric motor to provide clean and quiet electric propulsion. When powered by the boat’s own diesel engine, the motor becomes an electricity generator, removing the need for a separate genset.

Some other hybrid systems use a stand alone diesel generator to power a totally electric drive, a principle used on a grand scale in cruise ships, and which gives designers far greater flexibility with layouts. Power can also come from wind generators and solar cells.

Fundamental to a successful hybrid is a reliable energy system, with the ability to provide ample energy for extended periods of drive, but still be able to deep-cycle and quickly recharge without shortening battery life. Mastervolt claims to be the only company to offer high capacity Lithium-Ion battery technology to the marine market, and recently launched a lightweight and compact 4.3kW 24-volt battery. Featuring a very long life and an impressive DOD (depth of discharge), a bank of these Li-ion batteries or the more conventional 2 volt cells, make a platform for any hybrid installation. The MasterBus system promises reliable monitoring of the energy system, safe charging and automatic functions.