Technology group Wärtsilä has achieved what is called »a new technology benchmark« with the introduction of the marine sector’s first[ds_preview] hybrid installation for a bulk carrier. This innovative system will be installed on the »Paolo Topic«, a bulk carrier built at Onomichi Dockyard in Japan and managed by Marfin Management. Wärtsilä’s hybrid power module, the Wärtsilä HY, will ensure the seamless integration and control of the technologies to be installed, with the ship’s various existing power generation systems. This is made possible by the use of a dedicated Energy Management System (EMS) that will have overall control of the engines, batteries, power distribution and – for the first time in the maritime industry – solar panels to be installed on the weather deck. The integrated solution is expected to deliver a drastic reduction in fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
