ABB will convert two vessels owned by HH F[ds_preview]erries into the largest emission-free ferries. The yard Öresund Dry Docks was selected for refitting.
According to ABB the »Tycho Brahe« and »Aurora« will both be fitted with 4.16 MW of batteries and the containers with the battery racks will be lifted on board in February 2017. The dry-docking of the first vessel, Tycho Brahe, is scheduled for April. It will start operating as a fully electric ferry immediately when work is completed. »Aurora« will undergo the same process in October 2017 ABB stated.
The project also includes the installation of four fully automated shore-side charging arms and these are currently under construction in ABB´s factories. Civil work will be completed at the quayside in Helsingör and Helsingborg in the beginning of next year.
ABB to supply battery power
ABB´s delivery for modernizing the ferries includes batteries, an energy storage control system and Onboard DC Grid technology. At both ends of the route ABB will supply the first automated shore-side charging stations using an ABB industrial robot. The goal is to optimize the connection time and therefore maximize the charging period.
The two ferries will operate completely on battery power between Helsingør (Denmark) and Helsingborg (Sweden). The distance is of approximately 4 km carrying more than 7.4 mill. passengers and 1.9 mill. vehicles annually. According to ABB this new battery solution will help lower total emissions across the fleet by more than 50 % from the current diesel operated vessels. The combined battery power of 8,320 kWh for the two ferries is the equivalent of 10,700 car batteries.
The 300 mill. SEK investment is co-financed with 120 mill. SEK by INEA, the EU’s executive agency for innovation and network.
