Optimised energy recycling on board: Clean, energy-efficient ferries commence their journeys on the Wadden Sea with waste heat recovery technology from Orcan Energy

Munich, 01.07.2020 - Leading CleanTech company Orcan Energy has once again successfully installed its energy efficiency technology on board of two vessels: The high-efficiency catamarans „MS Willem Barentsz“ and „MS Willem de Vlamingh“, owned by the Dutch shipping company Rederij Doeksen which has its office in the Frisian village of Harlingen, combine several innovative and environmentally-friendly technologies and materials to make the ferry service as sustainable as possible. The waste heat on board will be utilised with Orcan Energy’s efficiency PACKs from the 050.100 class.

When the engines operate at full power, the efficiency PACKs will provide 154 kW of additional electrical net power. The recovered energy is stored in battery packs during crossings. In port, where the ferries maneuver themselves into position for disembarking passengers, the batteries supply electricity to the ships’ bow thrusters. This means that the bow thrusters are effectively powered by waste heat.

The results of applying waste heat recovery: A total saving of 318 tonnes of CO₂, 260.000 liters of fuel and 462.600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per vessel per year. In other words: Both ferries combined will save the equivalent of approximately 10.000 gas tanks for cars or the annual electricity consumption of over 300 households.

Andreas Sichert, CEO of Orcan Energy, sees a real opportunity for an environmentally-friendly shipping industry: „With our technology concrete efficiency advantages and savings are possible under real-life conditions.“

Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen, adds: „In ship propulsion systems more than half of the energy contained in the fuel is lost as waste heat, it simply dissipates into the atmosphere. That we can now utilise this waste heat to produce electricity is a decisive step forward and a must-have for any modern ship.“

The „MS Willem Barentsz“ and the „MS Willem de Vlamingh“ are 70 meters long each and will be deployed on the ferry service between Harlingen on the mainland and the islands Terschelling and Vlieland. They can carry up to 66 vehicles and around 700 passengers each. The hull is made out of aluminium and not, as usual, out of steel. As a consequence of the lower weight, the fuel consumption is lowered even further. They’re operated on liquefied natural gas (LNG), an environmentally-friendly alternative to marine gas oil. This is made possible by the new MTU gas engines for marine propulsion. It’s the first time that gas engines demonstrate the same dynamic acceleration behaviour as is normally seen in diesel engines.

As a consequence of these combined innovations, e.g. solar panels, the use of LNG, a light-weight construction, optimised hull lines and waste heat recovery, the CO₂ emissions are reduced by 10 percent, the nitrogen oxides by around 90 percent and particulate matter by around 95 percent. Sulphur oxides are no longer emitted at all.  

Orcan Energy’s solutions can be deployed on all seagoing and inland waterway vessels with 1,5 megawatts of total installed engine power or more. The intelligent waste heat recovery system can be installed on existing vessels as well as on newbuilds, independent of the fuel type. Ship operators achieve a significant fuel and CO₂ reduction. Orcan Energy products offer a highly attractive opportunity to increase the energy efficiency and profitability of a ship. The payback period of two to four years is very short.

About Rederij Doeksen

Rederij Doeksen is a family business which was founded in 1908 by Gerrit Doeksen and his eldest sons. Today Rederij Doeksen is a part of the holding company Royal Doeksen BV. Rederij Doeksen has approx. 166 employees and catering company TSM Horeca BV has approx. 119 employees, distributed over the locations Terschelling, Vlieland and Harlingen. Annually the company transports approx. 785.000 passengers across the Wadden Sea on their fleet of car ferries, fast catamarans and one cargo catamaran. In 2014 a public service contract was granted to Doeksen for 15 years by the ministry of Infrastructure and Environment. Doeksen is part of a holding company Royal Doeksen BV, whose head office is located in Rotterdam. ‘Environmentally friendly operations’ is one of the core values taking a central position in the operational management of Rederij Doeksen. In compliance with their mission, the customer demand and the current concession, Rederij Doeksen investigates several environmentally friendly propulsion methods for their ferries. www.rederij-doeksen.nl

Download link photo “MS Willem de Vlamingh” and efficiencyPACK M 050.100

https://www.orcan-energy.com/de/details/orcan-energy-pressefotos.html