Vulkan components in all-electric, medium-sized ferry application

ÆrØ is an island off the coast of Southern Denmark. Since the 70s and 80s, the island has been a pioneer community for renewable energy projects. The mayors have obligated themselves to make ÆrØ CO2-neutral before the year 2025. Windpower plants, district heating based on solar thermal energy, and photovoltaic power cover most of the island’s electricity and heating needs. Thus the desire to use this energy for the island ferry service as well is only natural.
The project has been funded by the EU-H2020 program (Research & Innovation Horizon 2020) since June 2015. The project includes planning, construction, and demonstration of an all-electric, medium-sized ferry (green ship) for medium-haul routes. The green ship can sail eco-friendly and without CO2 emissions. It is a 100% electric ship.

ÆRØ-Ferry will test the e-ferry (commissioned July 2019, regular ferry service since 08/15/2019) for 2 years on the Fynshav to Sœby (Aero Island) route and Sœby (ÆrØ island) to Faaborg route, as well as validate and verify the feasibility and profitability of the concept relative to the industry and the ferry operators. Top priorities are reducing noise input into the water and the air when docked, reduced wake, even at high speed, high safety standards, lightweight construction of the superstructure and main components, and extreme energy efficiency.

Two separate propulsion systems are installed:
E-ferry engine – highly elastic VULKAN VULKARDAN F coupling – transmission – Piening shaft system and fixed propeller
The newly-developed VULKARDAN F5410 with clamping hub connection and DNV Ice Class 1C classification. The VULKAN products were delivered in April 2017 as one of the first coupling designs and successfully installed in the system. The e-ferry engines, as well as the transmission, have elastic bearing support or hard-elastic bearing support.

During the sea trials and since commissioning the couplings have been running without any complaints and they meet the demands imposed upon them. Thus VULKAN has made yet another contribution to “green ship technology”.
Peter-Therkildsen-e-ferry.jpg Copyright Peter Therkildsen

The project has been presented at various events and is sure to attract attention for other new ferries in short-sea service. We will follow up on this project and are looking forward to the operating results.

Technical data of the ferry:
Installed power: 2x 750 kW
Battery capacity: 4.3 MWh lithium-ion
Length/width/draft 59.5 m/12.8 m/2.5 m
Payload: 31 cars or 4 trucks plus 8 cars on the open deck, 147/196 passengers in winter/summer
Speed: up to 14 knots
Range between charging periods:  2x 10.7 NM, 800 VDC charging system

Vulkan
www.vulkan.com/en-us/holding