Norwegian electric ferry has been in operation for one year

Norwegian electric ferry has been in operation for one year and covered a distance of 1.5 times around the equator. Norway has long tradition in development and construction of advanced ships, the electric ferry is a good example.

Battery ferry Ampere crosses the Sognefjord.
Photo: Tore Stenvold

Norway's electricity production is mainly, about 90%, renewable based on hydropower. Norway's CO2 emissions is largely linked to the transport sector. Norway has with great success, opted for the electrification of the transport sector to reduce CO2 emissions. State and local governments have provided favourable conditions for the purchase of electric vehicles and use of electric vehicles.

Long coastline and numerous ferry crossings has made electrification of ferries a priority. The Norwegian electric ferry Ampere has now been running for a year and travelled a distance equal to 1.5 times around the equator. The ferry is based solely on electric power from two 500 kWh battery packs.

Ampere is designed and built in aluminium by Fjellstrand at Omastrand in Hordaland. The yard has many years of experience in building lightweight vessels. Simens Marine, which is one of the suppliers of the ferry said they now have a contract for delivering solutions to FinFerris in Finland. - Without project to show, we'd never gotten this contract. FinFerries would probably not have chosen battery’s, says Odd Moen, sales director at Siemens Marine in an interview with TU 160304. He said that interest in battery ferries has increases, both from European shipping companies and from distant climes.

Charging plug developed by Cavotec.
Foto Tore Stenvold

According to Siemens Ampere uses 150 kWh per voyage, have no greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy costs by more than 60 percent compared to a traditional diesel ferry. Ferry with a capacity of 120 cars and 360 passengers would use approximately one million litre of diesel a year and emit 2,640 tons of CO2 and 15 tonnes NOx. The ferry has 10 minutes charge on both sides of fjord. The short time has made great demands on the charging system.

Moen says that the Norwegian authorities must maintain the pressure that has made it possible for Norwegian groups to develop the most environmentally friendly ship technology, particularly ferries.

- It is very important for battery technology that the government set requirements for zero emissions in new tenders. Claims and push from the government can help the Norwegian technology retains competence and increase technological catch-up, says Moen. Many ferry crossings will be put out to tender over the next four years, here Norwegian authorities must be innovative in their tenders. It must be possible to get with requirements that ensure that Norwegian shipyards and suppliers can be included when tenders determined, says Moen.