(ALESUND, Norway and VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — Vard Electro has announced that its innovative hybrid battery power system will be integrated on Atlantic Towing’s platform supply vessel Atlantic Shrike. Atlantic Towing is the first company to implement this multiple mode application of battery technologies on a single vessel in the Canadian offshore oil and gas industry.
Through cooperation across borders, Vard Electro is utilizing its technological experience to meet the project requirements. As the market continues to reach for novel technology to contribute in reducing emissions, Vard Electro is continuously developing new products to increase energy efficiency. For this project it combined its previous engineering experience with local expertise to find the best solution for Atlantic Towing.
Atlantic Towing has received funding for the project through Petroleum Research Newfoundland & Labrador (PRNL) as a component of the offshore research, development and demonstration program of Natural Resources Canada’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The funding will support pioneering upgrades to Atlantic Shrike and allows the integration of battery systems into the vessel’s existing diesel-electric propulsion plant.
The vessel is based in Atlantic Towing’s home port of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and is one of four modern diesel-electric builds.
By utilizing its experience as a system integrator, Vard Electro will deliver a containerized energy storage system for hybrid battery power. Supporting Atlantic Towing’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint, the SeaQ energy storage system (ESS) will enable decreased fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The conversion will also reduce the vessel’s maintenance requirement without compromising operational performance.
“We share the ambitions of Atlantic Towing and are looking forward to implement the products and integrated solutions that will lead to a greener industry. The innovative design and extended battery size offer a range of benefits and will be a perfect fit for the operational profile of this vessel,” said Peter Pilskog, vice president of sales and business development for Vard Electro.
The main system components are all fitted into the self-containing deckhouse to ensure a fast vessel installation while keeping a high focus on the quality. Control and monitoring of the hybrid system is handled by the energy management system (EMS) that communicates with the existing control systems on board. The SeaQ ESS includes modes for peak shaving, spinning reserve and zero emission transit. By using the batteries to absorb and dispense energy through load fluctuations and running the engines at optimal load, significant efficiency improvements in fuel consumption and emission reduction can be achieved.
SeaQ ESS is based on unique hybrid technology. The main purpose of the system is to reduce emissions, fuel consumption and increase safety. The SeaQ ESS stores excess energy available in the vessel and uses it later to reduce fuel consumption and optimize the performance of the vessel. It facilitates for operations with fewer engines online, and the engines online can operate at a more optimal load. Safety is increased due to the batteries’ ability to supply immediate energy in critical situations.
– Vard Electro
