b'Marine Propulsion Trends: FOGHORN FOCUS Reality CheckKitsap Ferry Enetai JIM MORAN // BMT PRINCIPAL NAVAL ARCHITECT Credit Nichols Bros. Boat BuildersT hese days, one can barely open a magazine or attend a conferenceadditional cost and complexity. LNG and other alternative fossil fuels without seeing something on the topic of marine propulsionreduceemissions,buthavetheirowncomplications.Avarietyof technologiesandtrends.Aperfectstormofregulatoryhybrid technologies are also being deployed, beginning with old-style pressure, technology development, and economic forces have drivendiesel-electric, to incorporating battery storage as supplemental power, an explosion in choices. Operators considering their options for theirand now to plug-in hybrids, which consider the diesel generator as the next vessel project need to understand which of these will deliver valuebackup instead of the prime mover. The holy grail of this trend is an for their operation, and which may seem too half-baked or not alignedall-electric vessel without a single fossil fuel generator on board.with their business objectives.Achieving the all-electric goal remains a challenging proposition, and Whileindividualgoalsvary,theunderlyingobjectiveistocost- is currently only viable for operators with a high risk tolerance, access effectively reduce or eliminate the consumption of fossil fuels and theirto necessary partnerships, and ample funding. And even then, it has associated emissions. One way this is accomplished is through efficiencytomakesensefromatechnicalstandpoint.Whilethetechnology gainshullform,weight,orpropulsionisimprovingbytheday,high-speedand alternativesthatimprovethedeliveredpowerFor many operators,extendedall-electricoperationsrequire for every unit of energy consumed. The otherenergystorageandconsumptionthatis wayisthroughreducedemissionsalternativesome form of hybridjust not achievable with todays technology. fuels and technology which captures or convertsHowever, short and slow operations are a emissions to more sustainable forms. A third wayis currently in thedifferent story, where weight and sustained isnt really a way at all, but it involves transferringsweet spot of cost,power are not as much a concern. There inefficienciesandemissionsexternallythinkisalsothesalutarybenefittopassengers batterypowerchargedwithadistantfossiltechnical feasibility,ofanoise-andemissions-freeon-board fuel plant. and risk. experience. These approaches present myriad opportunitiesInallcases,a100%-electricsolution for new technologies and systems, many of which are in service today,demands effective partnerships to deliver the necessary funding and and others a bit further on the horizon. Each has its tradeoffs, and asupport infrastructure. Both all-electric and plug-in hybrid solutions good professional ship designer will help its customers navigate therequirehigh-voltageshoreconnectionscapableofchargingthe optionstoidentifythebest-fitsolution.Forsomeoperators,riskbatteries quickly while in port. For ferries, this turnaround can be just and cost are major drivers that present headwinds to new technologyminutes, and waiting any longer is lost time and money. As operators adoption, while others have better access to funding, partnerships,often lease pier space, they need to work with the port or facility owner and a higher tolerance for project risk. Most just want what makes theto plan and implement a shore power project. They should also work most economic sense, given growing regulatory mandates tempered bywith the regional energy supplier early in the process. Fortunately, the perpetual budgetary constraints. need for shore infrastructure opens up possibilities for grants and other funding sources beyond those typically accessible to a vessel operator. The big story in marine propulsion is the long move away from fossilThose interested in all-electric need to seriously consider their ability fuels and towards full electrification. Traditional diesel propulsion isto take on the management, risk, and financial burden of being an highly mature and efficient, but addressing its emissions has introducedindustry leader.For many operators, some form of hybrid is currently in the sweet FOGHORN FOCUS: MARINE PROPULSION 20 FOGHORN'