Wärtsilä Hybrid For Harvey PSV

A hybrid retrofit system utilizing Wärtsilä energy storage technology will be installed the Harvey Energy, a platform supply vessel (PSV). The vessel, which is owned by Louisiana, USA-based Harvey Gulf International Marine, is the first LNG fueled and the first hybrid retrofitted PSV in the Americas, Wärtsilä said.

The installation of a Wärtsilä 1450 kW battery hybrid solution is intended to reduce the ship’s exhaust emissions, fuel consumption and noise level. The overall fuel cost savings are expected to be in the range of 10 to 20%, Wärtsilä said. The battery capacity will be sufficient to sail in and out of the harbor on electric power, while also providing hotel load electricity when docked, which will reduce noise and emissions levels in the harbor area. Furthermore, the ability to operate on battery power will assist maneuverability during dynamic positioning (DP) operations at the offshore platform.

Included in the solution are the Energy Storage System, the Energy Management System, the transformer and drive, all mounted within a single container. The project will also include integration with the existing Wärtsilä Power Distribution, Power Management, and Integrated Automation Systems. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in December.

“We chose Wärtsilä as our partner several years ago due to their significant experience in LNG and dual fuel engine technology, which fit very well with Harvey Gulf’s mission to have the most fuel efficient environmentally friendly fleet of platform supply vessels in the Americas,” said Shane Guidry, chairman and CEO of Harvey Gulf. “When we decided to enhance these traits by installing hybrid technology, Wärtsilä was the natural choice.

“In addition, Wärtsilä’s excellent knowledge of our company and our business has resulted in very strong service support after the vessel delivery. This support has proven itself in zero unscheduled down time on the five LNG-fueled PSV’s in Harvey Gulf’s fleet. We believe our mutual project will have a considerable impact in the market and will further the environmental drive towards sustainable solutions in the offshore market space.”

Wärtsilä’s hybrid solutions are based on a ‘first-of-its kind’ fully integrated hybrid power module that combines engines, an energy storage system using batteries, and power electronics optimized to work together through a Wärtsilä-developed energy management system.

While the Harvey Energy will be the first PSV in the Americas to have a hybrid retrofit, Wärtsilä said it has already completed a number of hybrid retrofits for PSVs in Europe.