WhisperPower USA are to unveil their new hybrid propulsion and power systems for megayachts to the North American market at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The new green technology of the hybrid propulsion and power systems reduces emissions, noise and fuel usage. The WhisperPower Hybrid Power System has been under development and testing for more than two years. One system is in operation aboard a new 40m J-class sailing yacht Rainbow, built by Holland Jachtbouw and two others are being installed on large sailing yachts in the Netherlands.
New Hybrid propulsion system by WhisperPower USA introduced at the 2012 FLIBS
The Hybrid Power System is based on WhisperPower’s variable-speed Genverter technology, which consists of an intelligent permanent magnet alternator with an ultra-compact diesel engine fitted inside a sound shield. The Genverter feeds a DC-power bus connected to the propulsion systems and the DC-AC power conversion system for the hotel load. The system also includes deep-cycle long-life Lithium-Ion batteries, a DC-power distribution system, an efficient DC-AC inverter, high-efficiency electric drive motors for the propeller shaft and an overall power management system.
Installation options are parallel hybrid or serial hybrid drive. The parallel hybrid system maintains the mechanical connection between the engine and propeller shaft, with the electric motor acting on the drive shaft in parallel with the engine. You can drive the propeller directly from the engine or from the electric motor, or from both. You can also disconnect the propeller for a stand-alone generator function. The engine is disconnected during regeneration. In a serial hybrid system, the conventional diesel engine is replaced by an electric motor. A battery bank is connected to the common electric power bus, which is connected to the motor. The electrical energy is either provided by the variable speed Genverter or by the battery bank. With large batteries, you can have long periods of electric propulsion and running electrical appliances without resorting to the generator.
The batteries are charged from the Genverter power pack or shore power. They can also be recharged during sailing by the shaft generator.
“The design goal was to create a sophisticated power management system that can provide silent electric propulsion for an hour or more and manage the ship’s house loads for extended periods of time strictly on battery power,” said Rudolf Mes, general manager of WhisperPower USA. “Our Genverter-based system reduces emissions and audible noise inside and outside the vessel and reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent by running the ship’s propulsion from the batteries during periods of low energy consumption, such as nighttime.”
In addition to the Hybrid Power System, WhisperPower USA will show a full range of power generation and management solutions at the Fort Lauderdale Show.
“With WhisperPower’s wide selection of generators, chargers and electrical management products, we can supply complete integrated electrical systems for recreational and commercial vessels of all sizes,” Mes said. “We also stock a complete inventory of WhisperPower replacement parts and consumables for all Mastervolt generators currently in the market.”
WhisperPower USA is showing in Booth 1236 at the Fort Lauderdale Show.
