Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) has delivered one of the largest vessel battery packs to Havila Capella, a hybrid gas and electric propulsion system, and smart control systems from the bridge to the propeller. The vessel is the first of four state-of-the-art vessels for Havila Kystruten.
– The large battery pack means that the Havila Coastal Route can meet the requirements for emission-free sailing in the World Heritage fjords several years before the government's requirements come into effect, says Gunnar Larsen, CEO of NES' parent company HAV Group ASA.
The battery pack on Havila Capella has a capacity of 6,100-kilowatt-hours, more than twice as much as the largest battery ferries.
NES has also delivered the integrated navigation system Raven INS, generators, complete switchboard system, transformers, frequency converters for thruster engines, and energy management system for the ship.
In addition to Norwegian Electric Systems, the other three HAV Group subsidiaries HAV Design, HAV Hydrogen, and Norwegian Greentech, have all contributed to «Havila Capella».
– We have developed and delivered several solutions that together enable this vessel to sail the greenest voyage along the Norwegian coast, says Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group ASA.
HAV Design from Fosnavåg has designed the state-of-the-art ship and thus played a vital role in the development of the vessel. It contains many technological innovations to ensure the lowest possible operating costs and emissions. By taking actual weather, wind, and wave conditions on the route into account, the ship is significantly more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than the authorities' requirements stated in the contract.
Norwegian Greentech (NGT) delivers ballast water purification system to the vessel. Since the start in 2010, NGT has focused on product development, testing, and type approval. The result is that their cleaning system has the smallest footprint and the lowest energy consumption on the market.
The propulsion system aboard is also prepared for the installation of next-generation technology using hydrogen and fuel cells. On significant parts of the coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes, the ship will eventually sail completely emission-free, running on hydrogen energy.
The hydrogen R&D project is part of FreeCO2AST, where Havila Kystruten and HAV Group's subsidiaries HAV Design, NES, and HAV Hydrogen are developing a high-capacity hydrogen energy system for use in one of Havila Kystruten's coastal cruise ships.
FreeCO2AST has received financial support from The Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, and Enova, in addition to Sintef Ocean and Protech.
– Today, we congratulate Havila Kystruten, who has taken over a forward-looking ship. At the same time, we know that the FreeCO2AST-project can make the ship, which already is among the most environmentally friendly vessels on the Norwegian coast even more friendly to the environment. It is a responsible and offensive approach by Havila Kystruten, says Gunnar Larsen.