Electric VLCCs are here! HD Hyundai's large-scale electric propulsion system for ships receives LR certification
2023-03-08 09:00
Recently, HD Hyundai Group (formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries Group) received an Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate from the British classification society Lloyd's Register (LR), marking another step towards a "large vessel era without engines."
Until now, ordinary merchant ships have used marine engines to convert the thermal energy generated by burning fuel into mechanical energy, which is then transmitted to the propeller. The propeller converts the mechanical energy into kinetic energy to propel the ship. Electric propulsion solutions, however, directly connect an electric motor to the propeller, driving the ship without combustion. This improves energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Smaller vessels use electricity stored in batteries to power the motor and propeller; larger vessels typically use fuel cells to directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electricity to drive the motor; while hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and LNG carriers can directly convert their cargo into electricity, enabling propulsion even without large-capacity batteries.
It is understood that hybrid propulsion systems combining existing engines with electric propulsion solutions have already been commercialized for smaller vessels. In November last year, HD Hyundai Group independently developed and delivered South Korea's first 2,700-ton smart electric propulsion passenger ship integrated with ICT (Information and Communications Technology), the "Ulsan Teahwa." The ship is 89.1 meters long, 12.8 meters wide, and 5.4 meters deep, carrying over 300 passengers with a maximum speed of 16 knots and equipped with a 4-megawatt electric propulsion solution, "Hi-EPS."
“Ulsan Teahwa”
It is particularly noteworthy that the "Ulsan Teahwa" can operate in three modes depending on the sailing environment and speed: Zero Emission (using only electric propulsion), Normal Seagoing (using only LNG dual-fuel engines), and Boosting (using both engines and electric propulsion). Furthermore, the environmentally friendly and high-performance electric propulsion solution "Hi-EPS" also won the Innovation Awards at CES 2023, the world's largest international consumer electronics show, last November.
HD Hyundai Group officials stated that the large-scale marine electric propulsion solution that received AIP certification from Lloyd's Register can connect to large-capacity fuel cells. The electricity generated by the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that the group is developing can also propel the ship. In this case, not only can energy efficiency and power quality be improved, but the weight can also be reduced.
According to global research firm Straits Research, the global electric propulsion ship market, valued at US\$4.9 billion in 2021, will see a compound annual growth rate of 11.24%, reaching US\$12.78 billion by 2030. In response, HD Hyundai Group officials stated: "By independently developing electric propulsion solutions previously reliant on overseas suppliers, the group successfully completed sea trials and commercial delivery of small and medium-sized vessels at the end of last year. The successful development of electric propulsion technology for large vessels is of great significance. Going forward, the group will continue to promote the commercialization of large-scale marine electric propulsion solutions and lead the global electric propulsion ship market."
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