Caterpillar Introduces Marine Hybrid System

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems announced the introduction of the Cat Powered Marine Hybrid System, a complete hybrid propulsion package applicable to all engine platforms. Developed with electrical specialists Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA), the package utilizes AKA’s XeroPoint Hybrid marine propulsion system and provides fuel savings of up to 25% and even emissions reductions.

A recent CARB study found a 73% reduction in PM, 50% reduction in NOx & 26% reduction in CO2. Significant improvements are also seen in performance, control and noise levels. The new Cat Powered Marine Hybrid System is currently available for order through the Cat Dealer network.

“Caterpillar has a long history of providing innovation to the marine industry. As an organization with a large global footprint, we recognize the importance of environmental sustainability,” noted Tom Frake, Caterpillar Marine and Petroleum Power Division vice president. “At Caterpillar, we have made it a priority to leverage the technology and innovation that will minimize emissions and fuel consumption while optimizing the use of renewable resources. We believe that AKA’s XeroPoint Hybrid marine propulsion system aligns very well with our corporate strategy and we are delighted to work with them to offer hybrid technology to our worldwide client base.”

The Cat Powered Marine Hybrid System is currently being utilized in the global tug and salvage market. The RT Adriaan, a hydrid tug built by Kotug, features 3x Cat 3512 marine engines as well as the new hybrid system. Pleased with the performance of the Cat hybrid system, Kotug has elected to install the system on two new tugs currently under construction at the DAMEN shipyard. Two more hybrid ready tugs are currently under construction at CHEOY LEE Shipyard.

Kotug COO, Harrold van der Meer said: “We chose the Cat Powered Hybrid Solution because of Caterpillar’s proven track record of hybrid systems across industries. We’re clearly experiencing better performance and fuel economy overall, and particularly at low load where we operate the majority of the time. You can’t beat the reliability of Cat 3500s, and with the total package being delivered to the yard from the Cat dealer, it was easy for everyone involved. And, we can feel great about the ultra-clean emissions.”

The Cat Marine Hybrid System optimizes the use of currently available components and operates diesel engines at peak efficiency. For customers, this means significant reductions in owning and operating costs, with decreased fuel consumption and maximized reliability. With the Cat hybrid system, vessels have the potential to increase operating efficiencies as well as meet or exceed increasingly stringent environmental requirements. The system is completely customizable to specific customer specifications and can provide payback periods in less than 5 years in many instances.

“Although the projects up to now have exclusively been in tug boats, we are confident that other applications, such as pleasure craft or offshore, will also find this an attractive proposition,” said Michael Braun, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems tug and salvage segment manager. “Essentially any vessel that sees duty cycle benefit would also benefit from a hybrid solution. For yacht applications, the hybrid system is able to help the vessel silently maneuver in and out of harbors. For offshore oil and gas applications, the hybrid system provides ample safety benefits in areas of hazardous conditions by being able to operate on purely electrical power.”

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Caterpillar, July 16, 2013