First ferry lined up for hybrid-electric conversion is M/V Wenachee
Washington State Ferries (WSF) has launched an invite for bid to transform its three Jumbo Mark II ferries from diesel to hybrid electrical. The hybrid-electric conversions of the Jumbo Mark IIs is simply the primary a part of an electrification journey that may embody constructing 16 new hybrid-electric vessels, changing six current vessels to hybrid electrical, and bringing electrification to 16 terminals.
“Converting our largest vessels will significantly reduce our carbon footprint as 26% of our greenhouse gases come from our Jumbo Mark IIs,” says WSF. “The conversion will reduce their emissions by more than 20% initially, then by nearly 95% when terminals are electrified in 2026. Bids are due by June 1.”
As we reported earlier, Siemens was chosen to conduct a propulsion management system substitute and hybrid conversion research and system design for the three ferries, which every have a capability of 1,800 passengers and 202 automobiles.
The conversion will embody set up of Siemens proprietary tools to improve the propulsion management techniques (PCS) and alarm and monitoring techniques (AMS), on the three ferries. The PCS & AMS work is important on account of current out of date PCS & AMS elements that have been put in throughout development of the ferries in 1997-1999.
The hybrid conversion will contain eradicating two diesel generator units from every ferry and changing them with batteries and related assist techniques. The conversion will incorporate power storage expertise and speedy charging of the batteries from every relevant ferry terminal.
The installations of the PCS, AMS, and hybrid upgrades shall be accomplished with the help of Siemens .
All contract work have to be carried out one vessel at a time, through the interval of September 11, 2023 – June 29, 2026, in line with the next schedules:
- M/V Wenatchee: September 11, 2023 – June 24, 2024 (incl. trials)
- M/V Tacoma: September 11, 2024 – June 23, 2025 (incl. trials)
- M/V Puyallup: September 11, 2025 – June 29, 2026 (incl. trials)
