Vard Electro supplies Seaq energy storage system for

Norwegian offshore vessel owner REM Offshore has chosen Vard Electro and its SeaQ solutions to upgrade battery technology onboard one of the company’s platform supply vessels.

Vard Electro will supply a complete SeaQ energy storage system package for ship retrofit as REM Offshore proactively upgrades its fleet with hybrid propulsion to achieve greener and safer operation with lower fuel costs.

The SeaQ package includes energy storage system, propulsion, energy management system and energy management system, which will be installed on board the platform support vessel REM Commander by the end of the year.

“The flexibility of SeaQ technology, allowing for easy integration into the ship’s existing systems, as well as its advanced functionality were key factors in our selection of Vard Electro for this retrofit,” he says Ronny Paul Kvalsvik, Chief Commercial Officer at REM. “Given the company’s track record of supplying SeaQ energy storage systems, we are confident that we have selected the best partner on our journey to more sustainable operations.”

According to VARD, the vessel owner will reap significant benefits by upgrading to hybrid technology, including reduced operating costs and the potential for up to a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.

“With sustainability regulations becoming more stringent, shipowners are actively looking for ways to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiencies. and long-term cost savings. As such, it is a compelling option for shipowners looking to navigate the changing landscape of the maritime industry,” said Vard.

The SeaQ energy storage system is used as a spinning reserve instead of generator sets, allowing the vessel to operate with fewer engines at a more optimal load while still maintaining the need for redundancy. An additional benefit of batteries is peak load control, which relieves the motors of heavy load fluctuations by leveling performance and delaying the need to restart the motors.

This results in significantly better fuel economy and reduced maintenance costs due to less wear and tear on the engines, Vard Electro said.

“A key benefit of an energy storage system is that it improves the responsiveness of the drive and other systems due to the instantaneous power response to match load variations, and compensates for slower ramp speeds with less responsive motors. said Svein Arne Langva, sales manager at Vard Electro.

This is particularly useful for offshore support vessels, which rely heavily on DP systems for rapid maneuverability in safety-critical situations, he explains.

In 2021, REM signed a contract with VARD Group for the delivery of two new Construction Service Operations Vessels, with the first vessel to be delivered in the first half of 2023.

Both ships will be equipped with a comprehensive SeaQ package that includes solutions for onboard power, bridge, communications and automation systems. Vard Electro will also be responsible for system integration of the ships’ propulsion systems.