In what the company is calling a move towards greener marine shipping, a commercial operator that services Greater Victoria will have one of its cargo boats field test a new large-scale energy storage system (ESS).

Corvus Energy, a Norway- and Vancouver-based marine energy storage solutions company, will have its new Blue Whale ESS battery system installed on Seaspan Ferries Corp.B次元官网网址檚 Reliant vessel later this year for the systemB次元官网网址檚 inaugural field trial.

The battery system is designed for large ships with high zero-emission energy demand, such as cruise ships, large ferries and cargo ships, according to a Seaspan news release announcing the partnership with Corvus.

The Reliant is a roll-on and roll-off cargo vessel that was built in 2016 and sails the Salish Sea multiple times a day, with terminals and service between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Seaspan says the new Blue Whale system will more than triple the vesselB次元官网网址檚 energy storage capacity (from 545 kWh to 1892 kWh). According to the news release, Seaspan will be able to expand the use of battery power beyond spinning reserve to also provide fuel-efficient peak shaving, load balancing and zero-emission operation on battery power only.

B次元官网网址淭he increased battery capacity will give us operational flexibility to enhance service levels while reducing emissions and fuel consumption,B次元官网网址� said Harly Penner, SeaspanB次元官网网址檚 director of fleet renewal and maintenance. B次元官网网址淲e are excited to partner with Corvus again. They have been outstanding collaborators in our quest towards decarbonization through fleet hybridization and electrification.B次元官网网址�

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SeaspanB次元官网网址檚 vice president said the installation and local involvement of experts will help British Columbia develop its coastal emissions reduction plan.

B次元官网网址淪easpan Ferries is committed to caring for the environment and this is an exciting opportunity to play a role in the transformation of shipping towards a greener and more sustainable industry,B次元官网网址� Gord Miller said. B次元官网网址淭his trial will also provide valuable experience locally, as personnel from VARD Marine, BC Hydro and the University of British Columbia will provide integration design, shore charging from the grid infrastructure and engine efficiency studies respectively.B次元官网网址�

Installation of the Blue Whale system is scheduled for this summer and commissioning and trials will be carried out while the vessel is in full service operation during the remaining months of 2021. It will replace another Corvus battery system already used on the Reliant, which will be relocated to its sister vessel, the Seaspan Swift.

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