Comments on: Hybrid ship ahoy: Valence to supply Siemens

Lithium ion battery company Valence signs deals to supply energy storage for hybrid boats and to utility S&C Electric for storing wind and solar power on the grid.

[contentcreator--2008]

Hybrid power systems make sense for periodic-use stop and start vehicles like cars, trucks, buses, etc. But what's the point of a hybrid system for a ship that runs at a constant speed for weeks at a time???

[monkeyfun14]

Enough batteries will outlast fuel.

The problem with batteries is not how long they last its how long they take to charge with a ship with will be back before a recharge is needed and with a ship don't think of a 150 pound lithium car battery think of a 5 ton battery that will last a month or 2 without charging.

[illil0]

I was wondering the same thing. The only thing I could think of is maybe solar or wind power, but even then, why bother storing it, just plug it right into the motor.

[tech_crazy]

I am guessing it would be used during loading/unloading when the alternators are required and hence the engines have to be on but this is inefficient. Similarly, airplanes are commonly tugged to the runway by tows instead of having to turn on the engines at low speed which is supposedly very inefficient. Airlines claim that this saves them a lot of fuel.

Also, when coming into and getting out of ports (at very slow speeds) must be inefficient for the engines and this could be another place where the electric motors could kick in and conserve fuel.

Maybe there are other uses also. Just my guess.