Discussion
Admittedly not the most exciting of subjects, but yesterday Wightlink took delivery of their new toy Victoria of Wight after it completed its journey from the shipyard in Turkey. It's no looker but in true "new stuff" fashion, it's bigger, better and faster than the other ships on the fleet. However, the thing of real note is in the engine room.
As with many forms of transport these days, this new ship uses hybrid energy to splash its way to and from the island in an attempt to reduce emissions and fuel costs. The larger carrying capacity will mean fewer crossings over the Solent per day too which will also cut down on overall funnel nasties.
Currently parked on the storage pontoon while the crew familiarise themselves with the knobs and switches, it will enter service in a few weeks.
http://www.wightlink.co.uk/information/victoria-of...
As with many forms of transport these days, this new ship uses hybrid energy to splash its way to and from the island in an attempt to reduce emissions and fuel costs. The larger carrying capacity will mean fewer crossings over the Solent per day too which will also cut down on overall funnel nasties.
Currently parked on the storage pontoon while the crew familiarise themselves with the knobs and switches, it will enter service in a few weeks.
http://www.wightlink.co.uk/information/victoria-of...
Krikkit said:
I'd love to get some details on the engineering behind the hybrid systems, bet they generate some mind boggling numbers!
I suspect the percentage of hybridisation is pretty small, given the power required to push a couple of thousand tonnes of hull through something as dense as water, and given that the engines will be run at peak efficiency point anyway for most of the time. iirc, mostly the "Hybrid" system just allows hotel loads to be powered from shore electricity when the ship is docked?
Max_Torque said:
I suspect the percentage of hybridisation is pretty small, given the power required to push a couple of thousand tonnes of hull through something as dense as water, and given that the engines will be run at peak efficiency point anyway for most of the time. iirc, mostly the "Hybrid" system just allows hotel loads to be powered from shore electricity when the ship is docked?
It's a RoRo ferry. When it's docked pretty much everything is switched off and the thing is deserted, unlike a cruise ship. Cold said:
It's a RoRo ferry. When it's docked pretty much everything is switched off and the thing is deserted, unlike a cruise ship.
Houlder Ltd - Victoria of Wight case studyHoulder said:
Its battery packs are designed to smooth out power demands so the engines run closer to optimum efficiency. Power storage also allows operation on a reduced number of generators, reducing emissions and operating noise, importantly, giving fewer disruptions for local residents.
At a guess it's charging the batteries during the journey and then running of those in port. Perhaps combining generators and batteries as it leaves port to get up to speed?Houlder said:
...elevators that put power back into the ship’s electrical system...
Hmm, I think that counts a 'mild' hybrid
"Things you always wanted to know the answer to" - how do you get a job driving the ferry? I mean, what's the career path? I understand how you become a commercial airline pilot - get your private licence then commercial licence then airline transport pilots licence, and usually sponsored or with a massive grant from an airline. But how does it work in the boat driving world ?
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