Recognizing that energy storage is a sizable green investment for ship owners, Rolls-Royce is launching a lithium-ion based energy storage system for ships. SAVe Energy is a cost competitive, highly efficient and liquid-cooled battery system with a modular design that enables the product to scale according to energy and power Illustration of a ship system setup with batteries, depicting a hybrid system for a tugboat. Source: Rolls-Roycerequirements.

The system complies with international legislation for low- and zero-emission propulsion systems. SAVe Energy is to be delivered from the Rolls-Royce Power Electric site in Bergen, Norway, as part of the company’s offering of complete ship systems.

The energy storage solution can be applied to several areas including peak shaving, spinning reserve and battery-powered vessels. Combined with an LNG or diesel powered engine in a hybrid solution, it will increase efficiency and reduce emissions, and can be coupled with most types of propulsion units. In a hybrid setup, SAVe Energy handles the peak load, while the main power generators will relate to the average load and not reduce the propulsion units thrusting capabilities.

The Energy Storage Unit was recently class approved by DNV GL, confirming that SAVe Energy has been developed in compliance with the newest 2018 ruleset, and is accepted for installation on all vessels classed by DNV GL.

The development work has been partly funded by the Norwegian Research Council of Norway’s ENERGIX program. The three ship-owning companies Color Line, Norled and the Norwegian Coastal Administration Shipping Company have been partners in the development, ensuring that the energy storage system covers a wide variety of marine applications, including ferries, cruise vessels and multi-purpose vessels.