1.2 MW/0.9 MWh BESS for On-board Seasight II Westcon, Norway

PROJECT SUMMARY
  • Project: Seasight Ferry
  • Location: Norway
  • Application: Onboard Ship Energy Storage System
NIDEC'S ROLE

Nidec Conversion supplied a Battery Energy Storage System integrated on an award-winning 400-passenger ferry that enables it to operate on 100% electric power, when needed.

Scope of Supply
  • Battery modules in a rack configuration
  • Battery racks in aluminum
  • Data-logging equipment
  • Master battery management system
  • Closed air cooling system
  • Ship and battery system interface
Seasight 2
THE CHALLENGE
To design and supply a battery energy storage system for a luxury, 42-foot catamaran

After the success of the 1st passenger ferry, the client decided to proceed with a second ship. Constructed of lightweight carbon fiber composite, this new ferry – a 42-foot-long catamaran – carries passengers on sightseeing trips through a fjord off the coast of Norway like its sister ship.

One of the main challenges and keys to our success is proper battery management and safety to avoid overheating which can also lead to premature degradation.

THE SOLUTION
Fully integrated, combined Power and Energy Management System with active cooling

Maintaining batteries at proper temperatures is critical to ensure the long life of the battery and to avoid premature degradation. Our cooling solution is a combined liquid / air cooling system. Cold water is used to cool the air in the battery room. Fans blow the air through each module, directly cooling the surfaces of the cells so as to ensure a uniformly cooled system.

The control system manages all the battery racks and offers a single interface to the ship Power Management System, as well as an HMI and operator panel showing full battery status. Remote monitoring can be enabled.

Each sub-system comes with bus bars and electronics and specific safety features including fuses, circuit breakers and emergency shut-down systems.

To prevent humid, salty air coming in contact with the batteries’ modules, the BESS is housed in an unventilated, air-tight room. Nidec’s design of a closed-loop dual heating and cooling system uses an air-to-water heat exchanger to maintain the battery’s internal temperature within the prescribed range of 18°C to 28°C. This project was developed together with ZEM using LG Chem batteries.

This is not the first time the two companies have collaborated together to deliver world class energy storage systems in the maritime sector.