Wärtsilä for the first time in the world will install a hybrid power supply system on the ship

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has signed a contract for the installation of the world's first ship-based energy storage system. The company assembles a battery complex on a large-tonnage offshore supply vessel North Sea Giant, one of the world's largest ships in its class.

The energy storage system will increase the operational efficiency of the ship and significantly reduce its emissions. This corresponds to the environmental requirements for vessels operating in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

North Sea Giant (owned by North Sea Shipping AS) has a dynamic positioning system that requires a minimum of two engines to function. This leads to a significant fuel consumption. However, the creation of a hybrid power supply system will allow providing backup power, as a result of which the load of the main power units will decrease.

In addition, according to Klepsvik, after Wärtsilä similarly modified in 2014 another vessel of the company, Atlantic Guardian, North Sea Shipping realized the fuel economy of such a modification. The updated Atlantic Guardian now needs to refuel the tanks only every second or third call at the port.