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.