Wellboat operator orders hybrid power system for repurposed OSV

Aquaculture marine services provider AquaShip/Intership has contracted Norwegian Electric Systems AS (NES) to deliver a deck-based battery energy storage system to the Grip Explorer, which is currently being converted from an offshore supply vessel to a 3,500m³ wellboat in Turkey.

Under the contract, NES will provide a containerised energy storage system that consists of a Quest battery charger with 1,250 kW capacity, a 994 kWh battery pack, a control system, and a transformer.

“We have delivered this type of containerised energy storage system to a number of offshore vessels, but this is the first time we are installing it onboard a live fish carrier,” said NES managing director Siv Remøy-Vangen.

“It reflects the aquaculture industry’s increased focus on energy-efficient marine operations as an enabler to reduce both operating costs and emissions.”

Peak shaving

NES, which specialises in sustainable energy design and smart control, will deliver the equipment during 2024. The company will manage the project out of its headquarters in Bergen, Norway.

The battery pack can operate in peak shaving, spinning reserve and harbour mode. Peak shaving is used to flatten demand peaks during operation to reduce the number of generators in operation and thus reduce fuel consumption.

Under the contract, NES will upgrade the vessel’s black out safety system (BOSS) and will support with commissioning of the deck-based system.

“We are confident that installing a battery package from NES will be a success. It will result in reduced emissions, higher operational reliability and improved on board working conditions for our crew. We have no doubt that we have teamed up with the right partner for this project,” said AquaShip technical manager-electro Stian Førde, and chief operations officer Nils Otterlei in a press release.

AquaShip/Intership operates in Norway, Scotland, Chile, Canada, and Ireland.