Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 has contracted Norwegian Electric Systems AS (NES) to act as system integrator and deliver power control, distribution and battery systems to three ferries that will be converted from gas and diesel propulsion to zero emission battery operation.
NES will also deliver equipment and control system to four battery charging stations to Fjord1.
‘Our role as system integrator and supplier of complete systems on board and onshore allows us to optimise the charging versus the on-board energy requirements and thereby secure the highest possible energy efficiency. Or put simply, reduce opex to an absolute minimum,’ says Martin Aasheim at NES.
Under the contract, NES will equip the three ferries with batteries, charging systems, new generators and upgrades of the AC circuit boards and automation systems. For the battery charging stations, the company will supply charging towers, power electronics and control systems.
NES, which is a subsidiary of Oslo-listed HAV Group ASA, will design, assemble, and test the systems at its headquarters at Godvik outside Bergen, Norway.
'These projects are not only about combining different pieces of technology. The most valuable contribution we bring to these projects is our role as system integrator. The latter allows us to optimize the entire power system conversion and reduce risk for both the yard and the shipowner,' adds Martin Aasheim
Going forward, NES will work closely with the chosen conversion yards to optimize the delivery for the most energy-efficient operation possible.
NES already has installed battery systems on board 18 zero emission ferries. The latest contract with Fjord1 will bring the total installed base to 21.
‘This makes us a world leader of zero-emission technology to the maritime transport sector. Our next step is to contribute to further optimise the ferry transport segment by improving energy efficiency of each ferry-crossing through machine learning and partial autonomy,’ says Geir Larsen, MD in NES.
Once converted, the three vessels will operate in the ferry services Drag - Kjøpsvik and Bognes - Skarberget in Nordland county, North Norway. Fjord1 commences their operation 1st December 2022.
Fjord1 is a leading player in the Norwegian ferry market, with more than 80 vessels and the world leader in zero emission ferries. The company also operates passenger boat services and has interests in the catering and tourism industries.
Front page photo, from left: SVP Sales at NES Stein Ruben Larsen, Sales manager at NES Martin Aasheim and Project and Technology Manager at Fjord1 ASA, Nils Kristian Berge.