b'GREEN NEWS GREEN NEWSMethanol- Volvo Penta Launches Enabler Hybrid Tugfor Marine Electric PropulsionDevelopedby Glosten V olvo Penta has launched a new rangethe range with models starting from D8, 190 ofvariablespeedmarinegeneratorkWe and running up to 545 KWe for the D16. setsakeyenablerforelectricIn addition, all Volvo Penta diesel engines can and ABB propulsionformarinevesselsaspartofrunhydro-treatedvegetableoil100(HVO thecompanyscommitmenttothemarine100) fuel to reduce fossil CO2 emissions by industrys transformation towards sustainableupto90percentprovidingasustainable marine propulsion. solution to standard diesel.N avalarchitecturefirmGlostenandThe range of variable speed marine generatorA typical installation sees a modular series of sets allows shipyards to install hybrid-electricvariable speed marine generator sets installed ABB, both PVA members, are col- modular propulsion systems. This move to- to power electric drives with or without bat-laborating to develop a methanol-hy- wards modular propulsion enables new vesselstery packs. This direct current grid system is brid tug designed to run on methanol. to be built ready and adaptable for emergingeasy to upgrade with alternative power sources alternative energy sources. and has fewer components, weighing less, and Referred to as the SA-100, the 100-foot ASDhelping to make the vessel more efficient. The harbortugispropelledbytwomethanol-This range of variable speed marine generatormodularinstallationalsocreatestheoption compatibleCAT3512Egensetspoweringsets are a core part of Volvo Penta solutionsof using the minimum number of engines to electricallydrivenL-drives.Thegensetsaredesigned for hybrid and electric applications.deliver the power needed so that the marine complemented by battery banks for zero-emis- The variable speed marine generator sets makegenerator sets are able to run in the efficiency sion operation when transiting, peak shavingit possible to build vessels with smaller batterysweet spot.duringgeneraloperation,andasboostforbanks and charge them while on the move, achieving the ships peak bollard pull of 90whichmakestheswitchtohybrid-electricThe new Volvo Penta variable speed marine short tons. marinepropulsionmorecost-efficientandgenerator sets, in each of the respective power accessible.Thistechnologyisalreadybeingranges, are the most compact solutions that Glostenseesmethanolasaviabledieselre- used by some Volvo Penta customers. meetthelatestIMOTierIIIregulations, placement for many types of ships. Like diesel,increasing flexibility of a modular installation. methanol is a liquid fuel that can be carried inWith the technology working in proven, re- Theyre water-cooled, which means less noise hull-integrated tanks and used in modern die- al-world applications, Volvo Penta is offeringand more efficiency for owners. sel engines. Methanol does not need cryogenic or pressurized storage, making bunkering and storing on a vessel fairly straight forward. It requires no major modifications for use as it is compatible with existing marine-fuel infra-structureandisalreadyproducedglobally. Dependingupontheproductionmethod, methanol can be close to net carbon neutral, though large-scale production of green meth-anol does not yet exist. There are challenges with methanol ranging from it being highly corrosive to having a low-er flashpoint than diesel, as well as being less viscous than diesel. However, it can be used as a step on the path towards carbon neutrality. The SA-100 design is the perfect stepping off point for those that cannot leap headlong into all-electricpropulsion.Withthisdesign,the operator will reap some of the instant power availability and operational savings of an electric vessel, without the need to plug in at the dock, said Dave Lee, VP of sales with global workboat responsibility at ABB Marine & Ports.35 SEPTEMBER 2022'