New modular and scalable parallel hybrid electric marine propulsion system – The FPT Industrial and Vulkan Hybrid Architect collaboration sets sail.
September 9, 2022 – FPT Industrial deployed a full fleet of innovations, champions and award-winning products from its Marine Range at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022, held in Cannes (France) from 6 to 11 September 2022.
At its booth (Jetée 183, Vieux Port), FPT Industrial indeed revealed the next step in its marine hybridisation route, one of the key results of its collaboration with Vulkan Hybrid Architect, and also showed off the Guinness World Speed Record holding diesel powerboat engine, the C16 1000, and the double design award-winning Red Horizon Integrated Marine Control System. The exhibits were rounded off with a wide range of advanced services dedicated to customers, including telematics and remote assistance.
Despite no changes being expected in sector emission regulations for the next few years, the broad sustainability trend is becoming more and more relevant in the marine sector, too. The accelerating pace of installed marine hybrid applications, and the experience gained over the last decade by systems integrators is shaping different technological solutions, suitable for specific mission profiles.
Taking into account this ever-growing trend, FPT Industrial has decided to create its own parallel hybrid electric marine propulsion system by teaming up with Vulkan Hybrid Architect, a division of the Vulkan Group, a leading high-tech drivetrain and vibration control technology supplier, active in the Marine, Industry & Energy, Refrigeration & A/C sectors. Vulkan Hybrid Architect is a highly skilled systems integrator, capable of developing tailor-made solutions for shipyards and owners: FPT Industrial has chosen Vulkan to carry out the engineering and deliver a turnkey integrated hybrid-drive propulsion system package.
Compact Parallel Hybrid is the most promising architecture option for both commercial and pleasure vessels in the 100 to 1,000 hp market, since it is able to deliver top performance along with high levels of flexibility and efficiency. The Parallel Hybrid systems can, indeed, be offered in a wide variety of different solutions by combining FPT Industrial diesel engines from 125kW to 735kW with proper sizing of e-motors and battery packs to meet any project requirements and customer needs.
Designed to offer reduced maintenance requirements and costs, fuel savings, emissions reductions and exceptional comfort, as well as allowing access to marine protected areas in full electric drive mode, the FPT Industrial – Vulcan Hybrid Architect solution unveiled in Cannes features a FPT Industrial C9 650 EVO diesel engine, a Hybrid Clutch to engage and disengage the ICE, an E-machine in the form of a synchronous permanent magnet and axial flux motor, a frequency converter, a marine gearbox, a mechanical interface, and a vibro-acoustic isolation system.
There are four main modes available. The E-Sailing Mode allows manoeuvring and sailing at low speed with zero emissions, with the Hybrid Clutch disengaging the diesel engine. In Diesel Mode, the diesel engine is synchronised to the e-motor and then connected to the shaft line with the clutch. The power from the diesel unit can be used by the e-machine to feed the hotel load or to recharge batteries. When docked or anchored, Generator Mode enables the diesel engine to be used at idle (with the gearbox in neutral) to generate power through the E-machine. In Boost Mode, the e-machine is powered by batteries and contributes to driving the shaft line for maximum speed. The entire hybrid system can be easily monitored and managed via user-friendly touchscreen panels.
“To date, we have awarded Vulkan preferred partner status with regard to the design and development of marine hybrid solutions engineered using FPT Industrial marine engines,” said Guglielmo Tummarello, Marine Market Segment Director at FPT Industrial. “Through this collaboration, we will be able to address the growing market demand for these sustainable power units and to provide our customers with complete turnkey solutions, also relying on our strong distributor network.”
“Even the yacht world is moving forward towards decarbonisation, with more and more electrification from green sources as well,” noted Gian Piero Repetti, Vulkan Hybrid Architect Project Leader and Global Business Developer in the Yachting sector at Vulkan Group. “The life of a diesel engine might be enough to sustain today’s operations for several years, but this is the time to make a change. Therefore, Vulkan is not only working towards sustainability in its operations, but adding a new focus, offering a new way of onboard living in absolute comfort and with a ’more than just green’ attitude.”
