Danfoss Editron, an engineer company, provided the hybrid electric drivetrain system powering a new ferry that is to connect communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north west Denmark. The ferry was ordered to replace the previous one that had been running for over 40 years and reached the end of its operational lifetime.
Mainly, the ferry was delivered by Søby Værft shipyard.
Like the majority of the ferries in Denmark, the Thyborøn-Agger service operates over a relatively short distance, with an approximate crossing time of just 12 minutes.
The Thyborøn-Agger service undertakes a high number of crossings daily, keeping in mind the short journey times.
This means that when a new ferry was required it was suitable to be powered by hybrid electric propulsion, as the savings in operating costs would be so great that they would cover, and eventually exceed, the initial investment expenditure.
Moreover, the new ferry has a 22-vehicles capacity and is anticipated to transfer 5000 trucks, 50,000 passenger vehicles and 140,000 passengers, per year.
It is equipped with a Danfoss Editron serial hybrid drivetrain system comprising two 374kW redundant propulsion lines.
The EDITRON system consists of two 374kW electric propulsion motors, two 323kW diesel engines, two electric generators mounted onto the diesel engines and two 75kVA hotel load outlets for alternate current consumers.
It also features two 78kWh battery packs for energy storage, a 45kVA shore charging connection and two compact direct current panels including power management system controllers, as well as connections for both energy providers and consumers.
The introduction of the Thyborøn-Agger ferry will help the Danish government meet its EU 2020 climate and energy targets.
Concluding, by 2020, the country wants to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings, agriculture and transportation sectors by 20% compared to levels recorded in 2005.
