Hybrid Boat Retrofit Expected to Reduce Fuel Costs and Emissions

After gaining approval from the Los Angeles Harbor Commission, the Port of Los Angeles will purchase a hybrid propulsion system for its harbor tour boat. The tour boat, named Angelena II, will be retrofitted with technology from San Diego-based Energy Tech Marine Group. That company has designed a multifaceted hybrid yacht that includes several different advanced propulsion technologies. Key technologies include not only the use of ultra lightweight and low volume lithium ion batteries, but also the capability of the boat to extract more energy from the wind than traditional sails. The technology also incorporates the latest electric and jet drive propulsion technology, which not only increases the vehicular efficiency of the boat, but also provides a lighter weight and more spacious boat.

The estimated cost of retrofitting the Angelena is almost $500,000. But that cost will be fully reimbursed through a U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Commenting on the impact of the new technology, fuel costs and emissions was the Port of Los Angeles’ Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D, “Harbor vessel pollution is a common problem in ports nationwide. But instead of waiting for someone else to find a solution, we’re going to re-power our vessel and demonstrate how this new technology can work for other ports and vessel operators. By cutting energy usage in half and reducing fuel costs and emissions by more than 95 percent, we believe that hybrid propulsion systems could make a lot of sense for commercial harbor vessels here and elsewhere.”

One of the unique features of the EnergyTech Marine Group Lithium-Ion battery system is that it drastically reduces the space needed for batteries. The battery system only occupies 81 cubic feet instead of the 1,000 cubic feet needed for lead-acid based systems and can deliver energy about five times as fast as its lead-acid counterpart.

Comparing EnergyTech Marine’s marine hybrid technology to automotive hybrid technology was Jack McCoy, CEO of EnergyTech Marine Group. “The EnergyTech Marine lithium-ion-powered Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vessel system actually leapfrogs future automotive Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The reduction of energy consumption and emissions far exceeds any of the hybrid technologies currently offered for autos. The Angelena II conversion will be game-changing for marine powering installations worldwide.”