Caterpillar Marine has entered into an agreement with California-based Pacific6 Enterprises to pilot a parallel battery hybrid propulsion system for a first-of-its kind aquaculture farming vessel.
Powered by a Cat C18 engine and battery hybrid solution, the hybrid boat will leverage proven electrical components and power electronics from Caterpillar’s construction and mining product lines.
Pacific Mariculture, a subsidiary of venture capital group Pacific6 Enterprises, is currently pioneering development of the first offshore aquaculture farm in the US, which will be located off the coast of Southern California. Pacific6 was determined to employ a battery-hybrid propulsion and auxiliary solution to minimise environmental impact.
John Molina, Founding Partner, Pacific6 Enterprises, said: “Aquaculture is at the heart of our efforts to sustainably provide seafood for the future. Finding novel ways to reduce our carbon footprint is central to those efforts. We are thrilled that our work, alongside Caterpillar, will create a vessel with more than 1MWh of stored energy; making this one of the most sustainable aquaculture vessels in the world.”
The vessel will be equipped with 961 kWh of battery capacity supplied by Caterpillar Marine to enable zero exhaust emissions while operating solely on battery power in both farming operations as well as port departure and entry. Caterpillar Marine will provide the complete integration of the hybrid propulsion system, including motor/generator unit, inverter and system supervisory controls, effectively reducing the number of installed diesel engines from two to one.
Derrick York, MD Caterpillar Marine said: “We are proud to have been selected by Pacific6 Enterprises to work together on this exciting project. We feel that this aquaculture vessel is a great example of our capabilities in collaborating with customers to deliver sustainable solutions and for demonstrating our next generation of integrated hybrid architecture.”
The aquaculture vessel will be constructed at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Caterpillar Marine dealer N C Power Systems of Seattle will sell and oversee installation and commissioning of the new hybrid equipment. Under the agreement, Caterpillar Marine and Pacific6 Enterprises will work to optimise the hybrid system operation to achieve minimal operating costs and environmental footprint.
Molina concluded: “We look forward to this growing relationship with Caterpillar, as we work together to ensure sustainable farming solutions for the future.”
