Are you are searching for a greener way to cruise the fjords of Norway? Well then, you might be able to enjoy the experience on the Sea Zero electric ship, some day in future. This remarkably forward-thinking company is evaluating a l60 megawatt-hour battery bank, teamed with retractable wind and solar sails as backup.
Seeking a Greener Way to Cruise Norway’s Fjords
The Hurtigruten company has operated a ‘Coastal Express’ ferry service for some 130 years. But now, they say, it is time to upgrade their fleet, with a 25% emission reduction on the charts. But those restless innovators are never satisfied. Their next hurdle, Sea Zero is already taking shape on paper.
Norway is the ideal location for developing new ships that can operate with zero emissions,” says Hedda Felin, CEO. “Thanks to Norway’s strong political will to support sustainable shipping, alongside future infrastructure for green energy.
Hurtigruten has embarked on a feasibility study incorporating passenger safety, operating schedules, vessel maneuverability, and wind and wave statistics. But now they are coming closer to a fully-electric vessel, with batteries that charge with renewable energy while in port.
Hurtigruten’s Vision for a Net-Zero Electric Ferry
Hurtigruten’s vision for a greener way to cruise the fjords, includes three principles that they incorporated after careful study:
- A fully-electric ferry’s batteries, cables, and motors consume 90% of available energy. By comparison, a diesel power-train only uses 45% to 55% of available energy.
- Norwegian hydro-power electricity has a 10 gram per kilowatt hour carbon-dioxide footprint. The European average is 230 grams, which is half the global average.
- In-dock battery recharging will be possible at half the ports that Hurtigruten’s vessels visit. The company has the added advantage of using these stop-over points for decades.
“Are you as excited as we are about Sea Zero?”, Hurtigruten’s CEO asks, “Are you a company, organization, research institute, or government department who would like to know more about Sea Zero? If so, then please ask us how you might get involved.
More Information
World’s Largest Electric Ship Counting Down
