As if to underline Finland’s status as the emerging centre of maritime innovation, WE Tech has announced that its hybrid propulsion system has been fitted to a 25,400-dwt dry bulk carrier newbuilding, Haaga.
WE Tech’s hybrid propulsion system consists of a direct drive permanent magnet shaft generator which produces electrical power up to 700 kW. In this respect, it acts like a normal shaft generator.
However, the WE Tech shaft generator can run as an electric drive allowing trolling speed operation without using the main engine. This saves fuel and stress on the main engine operating at low speeds. The vessel is equipped with CMP-MAN L23/30DF gensets.
In addition, the direct drive permanent magnet shaft generator can provide boost power of up to 1,250 kW directly to the propeller shaft to boost the main engine to provide extra energy to punch through ice or other adverse conditions.
This solution is utilised as an ice-boost mode for when the ice-class 1A Haaga is sailing in ice.
“Our goal is to take our customers’ vessels to the next level in terms of maximised energy efficiency and minimised fuel consumption,” said WE Tech Solutions managing director Mårten Storbacka.
Haaga has been delivered to Finnish shipowner ESL Shipping from Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, China and is equipped with a dual-fuel engine, allowing the vessel to burn LNG.
“We aim to achieve the best levels of energy efficiency in our segment with WE Tech’s technical support and cooperation. We are committed to greener technology for the future,” said ESL Shipping managing director Mikki Koskinen. “WE Tech’s energy efficiency solutions bring a significant positive effect on the vessel’s operation and environmental footprint, which considerably improves our profitability and competitiveness.”
(WE Tech’s hybrid propulsion system onboard Haaga. copyright: ESL Shipping)
Media Reports on WE Tech’s hybrid solutions: