-
Venture Firm Raises 4.2 Billion Yen for Electrification Projects
FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro PowerX, Inc. says it has raised 4.15 billion yen in funding for two electrification projects: one is to develop its own “Power ARK,” a ship that carries electricity, and the other is to build a large-scale storage battery factory in Japan.
The idea behind the Power Transfer Vessel is to store electricity in container-shaped storage batteries and transmit it by ship, with an eye toward the expansion of offshore wind farms. Conventionally, power is transmitted from offshore wind farms to land via submarine cables, but the aim is to develop the Power Transfer Vessel that can replace submarine cables. This will make it easier to construct power plants offshore in windy distant seas. The construction of submarine cables that pass high-voltage electricity is environmentally hazardous, but the Power Transfer Vessels are cheaper than cables and will enable power transmission to be realized sooner.
Power Ark 100. The first vessel, the “Power ARK 100,” will have a length of approximately 100 meters and will be equipped with 100 storage batteries in the form of shipping containers, enabling it to store 220 MWh of electricity. This is roughly equivalent to one day’s worth of electricity for one city (22,000 households). In the event of a large-scale power outage or other disaster, the ship will serve as a contingency power source. Larger vessels are also planned, and a 220-meter-long vessel capable of carrying 3,000 containers would be able to transport 5,660 MWh of electricity.
-
MEGURI2040: The Fully Autonomous Ship Program
FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro The Nippon Foundation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group company Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. have successfully completed a demonstration test of the world’s first fully autonomous ship navigation systems on a large ferry, conducted on the Iyonada Sea from Shinmoji, Kitakyushuu City, in January.
This demonstration was part of MEGURI2040, a fully autonomous ship navigation project launched by The Nippon Foundation in February 2020.
Japan’s declining birthrate, aging population, and shrinking population have resulted in labor shortages in many fields. Seafarers in coastal shipping, which requires hard work on board, are no exception. More than half of the seafarers in coastal shipping are over 50 years old, which poses a major challenge.
-
Five Year Plan Encourages Development of LNG Trucks and Ships
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao “By 2025, the national gas storage capacity of intensive layout will reach 55 billion ~ 60 billion cubic meters, accounting for about 13% of natural gas consumption. Build a green and low-carbon transportation system, optimize and adjust the transportation structure, vigorously develop multi-modal transport, promote the medium and long-distance transportation of bulk goods “from rail to water”, encourage the use of clean fuels such as LNG in the field of heavy-duty trucks and ships, and strengthen the guarantee of clean energy supply in the transportation industry. It is emphasized that the LNG storage and transportation system in Bohai Rim region, Yangtze River Delta region and Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Bay area should be continuously improved, and the core is the construction of LNG terminal.”
Source: NDRC Read The Article
PSR Analysis. China’s LNG import volume in 2022 is expected to surpass Japan and become the world’s largest LNG importer. At the same time, China has built 22 LNG terminals. There are more than 200 LNG manufacturers in China, with an annual capacity of about 30 million tons.
-
Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Maritime Propulsion System Being Developed
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Germany-based Torqeedo GmbH and Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH are jointly developing a hydrogen hybrid propulsion system for the marine industry. The ambitious and innovative project is provisionally named “Ma-Hy-Hy” (Marine Hydrogen Hybrid) and is funded by the Bavarian federal government until 2024.
Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH specializes in a high-tech innovative, climate neutral energy solutions, especially in CO2-neutral and emission-free hydrogen fuel cells and electric hybrid systems for stationary, automotive, rail and maritime applications. Development and production sites are located in the Munich area.
Torqeedo GmbH, as a part of the Deutz group, is a market leader in development and production of lithium batteries, solar charging equipment, electric and hybrid drives. It offers outboards and inboards, electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0,5 to 100 kW on motor level (up to 200 kW on system level).
-
HanseYachts Group Reports ‘Exceptional Year’
Natasa Mulahalilovic German boat manufacturer HanseYachts AG has announced preliminary financial results for 2020-2021 that it has described as “exceptional for the company in all respects.”
The group, established in 1990, manufactures sailing, motor yachts and luxury sailing, and motor catamarans under the brands Hanse, Dehler, Moody, Privilege, Fjord and Sealine. Boats are produced in Germany and France, and are equipped with Volvo, Yanmar and Mercury engines.
Despite the production problems caused by delays in parts supply, the group achieved record results in 2020/2021, with the order book counting more than 1,000 boats. Previously, the group’s best year was 2007/2008 when 940 boats were ordered. The revenue this year is expected to be more than € 230 million.
-
MAN Marine Engines Certified To Operate Globally
Natasa Mulahalilovic MAN Energy Solutions, one of the leading marine engine manufacturers in the range between 730 and 2000 hp (5370 to 1397 kW), says that all of its engines now comply to the globally required major current emissions standards.
All engine models from i8-730 to V12-2000 are certified with the US EPA Tier III, the EU IMO Tier II and RCD 2013/53/EC. The current China Marine Recreational Stage I standard has been upgraded to the Stage II based on the US Tier III standard requirements.
-
NA Powersports EV Update
Read the complete report in April PowerTALK™ News
EDITOR’S NOTE. Power Systems Research tracks the global trend of electrification of industrial equipment. This is one of a series of reports on these trends.
Michael Aistrup Polaris INDUSTRIES, Minneapolis, is planning to debut a new electric Ranger utility side-by-side in December 2021. The Ranger will be the first electric vehicle Polaris has developed through their partnership with Zero Motorcycles.
The electric Ranger is the first product in Polaris’s long-term plan to accelerate its leadership in powersports electrification. Production will take place in Polaris’s Huntsville, AL facility.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), which owns popular brands such as Can-Am, Rotax, Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo, plans to offer electric models in each of its product lines by the end of 2026. The company is investing $300 million in product development and production facilities.
-
100% Green Hydrogen Powered Ferry Planned by 2027
Natasa Mulahalilovic The European Union’s private and public sectors are working hard on developing projects that could accelerate the transition from the fossil fuel powered to the zero-emission shipping.
One of the leading joint efforts is the project created by Danish ferry operator DFDS, Swiss-Sweden giant ABB, Danish fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Power Systems Europe, the global leader in zero-emission e-mobility Hexagon Purus, wind power generator Orsted, Lloyds Register and Danish Ship Finance.
The project is designed to build a 100% green hydrogen powered ferry by 2027.
-
PowerTALK™ News, February 2021
Chris Fisher, senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research, provides a forecast in the February 2021 issue of PowerTALK™ News for MHV.
Here are more articles in this issue:
North America: Electric MotorcyclesDataPoint: Global SnowmobilesEurope: Volvo Penta Plans Zero EmissionsSouth America: Brazil Vehicle Exports Up 22%Taiwan: Innovation Powers Gorgoro NetworkJapan: Honda Launches Electric BikeSouth Korea: Hyundai Offers Custom EVsIndonesia: New Tesla Investment?India:…
-
Volvo Penta: Sustainability First , Zero-Emissions by 2050
Sources: Volvo Penta Press Releases, IBI News, Boating, Trade Only Today
Natasa Mulahalilovic Volvo Group announced that the company will focus on sustainable solutions in all business areas, from trucks and buses through construction to its marine division. The group objective is to become a zero-emission company by 2050, at the latest.
As part of this changeover, the Volvo Penta division, the world leader in marine engine and propulsion systems, is cutting its outboard engines production and sales. This reverses a major acquisition the company made in 2017.
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe