Successful demonstration of Hybrid Electric Propulsion system for small commercial vessels
The Innovate UK/DSTL co-funded project HEVIMA, of which Marine South East is a partner, held a very successful demonstration of the Hybrid Electric Propulsion system for small commercial vessels at a launch event held in Falmouth in May 2019.
The modular hybrid system has been designed by REAPsystems with other project partners Babcock, Mainstay Marine Solutions, Lloyds Register and the University of Southampton all playing an active part in the project. The HEVIMA consortium hosted about 50 guests from industry, vessel operations, academia, regulatory bodies and the media at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth.
A complete hybrid system has been installed in the fully refitted 85-year old passenger ferry 'Kingsley II', owned and run by Cornwall Ferries. Tim Light from Cornwall Ferries opened the event with a very upbeat presentation on the benefits the hybrid system gives their company in terms of sustainability, moral obligation, simplicity and improved customer experience.
Simon Powell from Marine South East outlined the market opportunities for HEVIMA system followed by a detailed technical presentation from Dennis Doerffel of REAPsystems.
The morning closed with a lively question and answer session when project partners further explained the benefits of hybrid propulsion and addressed some challenging technical, regulatory and market issues.
The highlight of the day was trips on board the Kingsley II, where both the electric and diesel modes were demonstrated on the beautiful waters of Falmouth harbour. Guests were impressed with the quiet exhaust gas free experience in all-electric mode and the smooth transition to diesel when more power is required.
A special passenger was Gary Mitchell, son of Percy Mitchell, who built the Kingsley II in 1934. Gary was sure his father would have been impressed with the incorporation of innovative hybrid propulsion, giving this classic ferry a new lease of life.
The Maritime Journal reported the launch event, their article can be read here: https://tinyurl.com/y6yuk9sb
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