BC Ferries Discussion

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Using a diesel-to-electric powertrain with batteries allows the ferry to run with the diesel engines always set to their most efficient configuration and then draw whatever power is needed from moment-to-moment from the batteries. This is one of the ways that a hybrid car (such as a Prius) saves energy.

The other big way that hybrid cars save energy is to recoup momentum when you slow or stop by turning the electric motor into a generator and feeding the energy back into the battery again. This can recover most of the energy that was needed to stop the car, store it in the battery, and then use it to get the car going again. I assume that the ferries wouldn't be able to take advantage of this.

It would be interesting to know just how much diesel fuel is saved by operating the ferry in hybrid mode.

There are other changes in design that will affect the efficiency of the new ferries. As they're effectively elctric powered, they won't have a rudder, or propellor, but rather four propulser units.

I get the impression that the diesel engines are not intended to be a long-term use (except as backup). The Canada Infrastructure Bank provided BC Ferries with a low-cost loan of $1 billion for the ferries, with $690 million to buy them and $310 million for future ferry terminal infrastructure upgrades, specifically the installation of charging infrastructure. That will presumably take some time to install, maybe requiring BC Hydro upgrades to some of the terminals.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Maybe when they're in port they can use the batteries to run all the systems but not relying on the engines which would be operating at minimal load? Not sure if constant restarts is an issue.

They would probably run the generators at optimum load (80-85%) while in port using the excess generation capacity to charge the batteries. Then draw on the batteries while sailing.
Constant stops and starts are definitely to be avoided. The Coastal Class don’t shutdown engines while in berth, they’re just kept running on low load.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by madog222

They would probably run the generators at optimum load (80-85%) while in port using the excess generation capacity to charge the batteries. Then draw on the batteries while sailing.

Yes, that's exactly the point - you can size the generators smaller and run them at their best efficiency mix of power/speed because they only have to provide for the average power output (plus some safety margin), not the maximum. The batteries provide the buffer that allows the ship to draw more or less power as is needed.

[whatnext]

Just build the damn bridge already!

B.C. Ferries adds 5% surcharge as fuel prices surge
The surcharge, in response to a 40% hike in fuel costs since March, will increase the price for a vehicle travelling from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen to $93.45 from $89.
Darron Kloster
about 21 hours ago

It’s going to cost you a few dollars more to ride B.C. Ferries starting June 16.

The company says it’s adding a 5% fuel surcharge in response to a 40% increase in fuel costs since March. That rise comes amid supply problems resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. war against Iran.

The temporary surcharge, which will be applied across all B.C. Ferries routes, was authorized by the B.C. Ferry Commission....

https://www.biv.com/news/bc-ferries-adds-5-surcharge-as-fuel-prices-surge-12366954