The United State’s launches its first commercial tri-fuel powered vessel with the addition of battery power to an existing vessel.
Specifically, in June 2019, Harvey Gulf announced plans to install a battery-power system on two of the company’s PSV vessels. Built in 2003, each of the 1,739 gross ton vessels is 240 feet long with a cruising speed of 10 knots.
The company recently completed the conversion of the PSV Harvey Energy and will also complete the installation of a GE battery-power system on the PSV Harvey Champion in September. The battery capacity aboard the two vessels will be enough to sail in and out of harbor on electric power with fewer engines running, while also supplementing hotel load electricity when docked, reducing noise and pollution levels in the harbor.
Moreover, ABS announced that when the class approval was commencing, the installation of a 1,450 kW battery hybrid package was expected to reduce the vessels’ exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and noise levels.
