Rolls-Royce has signed a contract for the delivery of its highly efficient Azipull propulsion and control system for the 'ferry of the future', a new vessel which will operate on battery power alone.
The vessel is being built at the Fjellstrand yard in Norway, and once in service will be operated by Norwegian transport company Norled between Lavik and Oppedal.
The 80-meter electric car ferry called ZeroCat has been jointly developed by electronic manufacturer Siemens, the Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand, and shipping company Norled as part of a competition organized by Norway’s Ministry of Transport.
The electric ferry expected to begin operations from 2015 onwards.
Rather than a diesel engine, ZeroCat is equipped with electric motors to drive the ship’s two screws. These motors are powered by a battery weighing 10 metric tons.
In 2010, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport announced a tender to develop a new ferry that was 15 to 20 per cent more energy efficient than existing vessels.
The Rolls-Royce Azipull propulsion system, which utilizes pulling propellers as opposed to conventional azimuth thrusters will help the battery powered, aluminium catamaran meet these standards.
The ferry will have a capacity of 120 cars and 360 passengers, and will operate at a speed of about 10 knots, taking 20 minutes to cross between Lavik and Oppedal.
The ferry will charge its lithium-ion batteries while loading or unloading cars, and overnight when moored along the quay.
The Azipull combines the advantages of the pulling propeller with the flexibility of mechanical drive.The propeller rotates 360 degrees around the vertical axis so that the thruster can perform both the propulsion and steering duties.
It is designed to offer efficient propulsion and manoeuvring on higher speed vessels (Typically 20-25 knots). The streamlined leg and skeg recover swirl energy from the slipstream, raising overall propulsive efficiency.
As a catamaran with two slim hulls, it offers less resistance in the water than a conventional vessel. The hulls are also made of aluminium instead of heavier steel. Overall, the ferry weighs half as much as a conventional design.
It is powered by two 10-tonne (11-ton) electric motors, each one driving a separate propeller. Those motors have a combined maximum output of 800 kilowatts, although for the ferry’s usual cruising speed of 10 knots, an output of 400 kW should suffice.”
The ZeroCat™ will be able to recharge in 10 minutes when docked during the load/unload process.
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