Corvus has supplied the battery energy storage system (ESS) onboard the ‘Green Diamond’—the first hybrid diesel-electric inland towboat in the United States, working jointly with vessel owner/operator Kirby Inland Marine, electrical integrator Stewart & Stevenson, and other partners.
Kirby Inland Marine, a subsidiary of Houston-based Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) is the first inland marine transportation company to own and operate a diesel-electric hybrid towboat in the US, leading the way in reducing inland maritime carbon emissions and enabling Inland Green Corridor operations.
For Kirby’s Green Diamond, Corvus Energy supplied a 1,243 kWh Corvus Orca ESS, its battery system that features patented passive single-cell thermal isolation and forced-air cooling to deliver what it considers the highest standards of safety and performance.
The Green Diamond design incorporates the ESS to significantly reduce vessel emissions and improve fuel economy. When no shore charging is available, the hybrid towboat will have an estimated 27% reduction in fuel used and CO2 emissions. With shore charging, fuel use will be reduced by almost 80%, resulting in an 88%-95% reduction in emissions of NOx, CO, and HC. Engine run time is estimated to be reduced between 93%-98%, resulting in significantly decreased maintenance costs.
Ole Jacob Irgens, EVP Corvus Energy said: “Corvus, together with our partners, is pleased to be able to provide proven technology to help solve the technical challenges of hybrid vessel propulsion and shore-side charging to accelerate maritime decarbonisation. Inland and harbour tugs are ideal candidates for electrification with batteries because their routes are shorter, in proximity to the shore, and have limited power demands. We’re seeing significant interest from tug owner/operators, designers, and builders right now.”
The Green Diamond represents a strategic step towards Kirby’s commitment to decarbonisation, including a 40% reduction of Scope 1 Emissions by 2040, which, according to the company, represents about 160,000t of CO2.
Christian O’Neil, President Kirby Inland Marine, said: “We are pleased to have collaborated with Corvus to make this vessel possible. Kirby is excited to be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid towing vessel. Barge transportation is already the cleanest and greenest form of surface transportation, and we are working to make it cleaner and greener. Our customers who are focused on reducing their emissions want more efficient options. This solution is available today.”
