More cells than a Model S

[JRP3]

As for the Li-ion rechargeable batteries, about 320,000 "18650" cylindrical cells are used.

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20120626/225031/

 

[GSP]

Sounds like a record capacity for a mobile application: 2.2 MWh!

GSP

 

[TEG]

That is very cool ! Shipping uses a lot of fuel. Boats don't do much stop/start, so hybrid regen braking isn't going to help a lot, but having all that deck space for solar panels is nice.

 

[doug]

That is very cool ! Shipping uses a lot of fuel. Boats don't do much stop/start, so hybrid regen braking isn't going to help a lot, but having all that deck space for solar panels is nice.

From the article, it sounds like the energy from the batteries and solar panels is not used for propulsion.

 

[TEG]

OK, thanks. Yes, I see they use it to power the electrics while in port so they don't have the run the engine to keep things powered up.
Good way to reduce port pollution I guess.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

OK, thanks. Yes, I see they use it to power the electrics while in port so they don't have the run the engine to keep things powered up.
Good way to reduce port pollution I guess.

The pollution is a big deal in some ports with all those large diesel/heavy oil systems. But overall it's a subsidized project to lower CO2 emissions. It'll also be a good test of battery longevity.

I'm sure the panels and batteries will be of some benefit for the electrical systems while crossing as well.

The batteries will act as ballast, so they don't take up space in the hold and I suspect that any additional weight won't be a big deal.

Next up would be to add sails.

 

[TEG]

There have been electric motorhomes too:
Winston (Thunder Sky) RV EV
MVP RV World's First All Electric Class C Motorhome
Winston Battery Limited

900kWh

First All-Electric Motorhome Introduced at Louisville RV Show

Vans with Tesla battery pack:
Freightliner Taps Tesla To Build an Electric Truck | Autopia | Wired.com

 

[doug]

Interesting posts. The electric bus stuff went here: Electric bus

 

[doug]

The pollution is a big deal in some ports with all those large diesel/heavy oil systems.

The pollution at some ports is a big deal. So much so it might be worth it even without the solar, to charge the batteries with the generator when out at sea, just to be able to run on battery while in port.

 

[TEG]

Reminds me of the congestion charge stuff in inner cities. Where a vehicle like the Volt/Ampera could run in EV mode when in town, then switch to gas when driving between cities.

At some point, ports could put surcharges (or fines?) on boats that don't switch to solar+battery power when in port. That would certainly encourage more boats to do this sort of thing.

 

[AndreN]

Instead of expensive solar cells and batteries, they could also just plug the ship into the grid at port. That's what two cruise ships do when they dock in Seattle:

Local News | 2 cruise ships will plug into Seattle's power grid | Seattle Times Newspaper

 

[rolosrevenge]

It seems that they also use the system to power electricity while out at sea so that reduces the total engine load and thus fuel consumption.

 

[dsm363]

Instead of expensive solar cells and batteries, they could also just plug the ship into the grid at port. That's what two cruise ships do when they dock in Seattle:

Local News | 2 cruise ships will plug into Seattle's power grid | Seattle Times Newspaper

This kind of thing should simply be mandated into the design of all new large passenger ships.

 

[Yggdrasill]

Here's the technology in action. They have this system in operation in Oslo. (The plug can transmit 4 MW.)

It takes time to get the system up and running, so while the system is connecting, you could use battery power.