MIT looks to hybrid transmission

As the main turn key supplier for Transfluid, it is currently developing a hybrid transmission solution for workboats, in particular wind farm service vessels.

John Logue, sales & marketing, MIT, told MJ that the new transmission system will work with any prop system including CPP’s and waterjets. A splitter box is used to switch between diesel and hybrid power.

He added: “But really everything comes down to the batteries in these systems, which is why we are reducing them in terms of both size and weight.”

The hybrid systems are not only better for the environment, but they offer considerable cost savings for operators.

MIT has various case studies to demonstrate this. A 22m windfarm support vessel with CPP with a target speed of 25 – 27 knots, engine power of 2 x 588kw (790hp) working a ten hour day made up of 4 hours high speed work with a fuel burn of 120lt/hr fuel burn per engine @ 80% load would have an approximate £336,960 per boat per year fuel spend. But using a CPP / Hybrid would achieve a fuel burn reduction of 22%. A fuel saving of £74,131 per boat per year, or £317 per day.

A 22m windfarm support vessel with water jet propulsion with the same variants as above would typically achieve a £336,960 per year fuel spend. The estimated fuel burn saving using hybrid is 16%. A fuel saving of £53,913 per boat per year, or £231 per day.

The first working example of a vessel equipped with the full Transfluid hybrid solution is the Seatech 30′ hybrid limousine, a water taxi, which was on show at the Green Mobility Show in Venice.

These new hybrid systems are set for commercial launch in July/August.