Corvus Energy, a developer of lithium-ion battery systems for marine propulsion, will introduce its proprietary technology at the International Tug & Salvage (ITS 2010) conference. The conference marks the introduction of 'BRAtt class' training tugs, the first of which will feature Corvus Energy’s battery and management system utilized as the house power bank.
This tug will be followed up by delivery of an all-electric BRAtt and a hybrid diesel-electric BRAtt — using Corvus Energy technologies — to the Western Maritime Institute in 2011.
Ron Burchett and Vancouver-based Naval Architects Robert Allan, a consulting naval architectural firm, jointly developed BRAtt training tugs. The 7.8mt long, 450hp BRAtt features most of the same technology and operating systems as found in full-size Z-drive tugs, the company said.
To date, the marine industry has been unable to take full advantage of hybrid or full electric propulsion technology due to the large size and weight of traditional lead-acid batteries, according to the company.
Corvus Energy claims that that its lithium-ion batteries in a standard Group 8D format are small and light and provide the battery chemistry and proprietary battery management system, which allows these batteries to last up to 10 times longer than lead-acid batteries.
The battery module can be integrated into existing applications or can be configured to meet power storage requirements from 6.2kWh into the tens of thousands of kWh.
Brent Perry, CEO of Corvus Energy, said: ”The BRAtt tugs will provide an important platform to introduce our powerful, maintenance-free lithium-ion battery technology as a viable alternative to conventional propulsion systems.
”Fuel savings and decreased maintenance in a hybrid can provide ROI in only a few years, with a huge benefit to the environment in the form of decreased emissions.”