2017 Awards Winners

Winner of this category for a third consecutive year, Corvus Energy posted an 87% revenue increase in 2016, with 30% of expenses R&D related. Last year, the company’s biggest talent acquisition came in November when it appointed Wärtsilä’s head of market innovation, Willie Wagen, as its new head of global sales and marketing and European managing director. 2016 also saw the company win contracts for the supply and sale of 17 new Orca Energy ESS, totalling over 9MW in energy storage, to hybrid and all-electric ferries, tugs, cruise ships, superyachts and cargo vessels. Corvus also established a new Orca ESS production line; received approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority following thermal runaway and propagation testing of its Orca ESS; and signed a 10-year service agreement to provide service and maintenance to the world’s largest hybrid ferry fleet, operated by Scandlines. The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program also provided the company with US$342,000 in non-repayable funding to support the continued development and expansion of its Orca Energy ESS.

Also shortlisted:
Saft
Leclanché
Super B
Cavotec

Tor Øyvin Aa won the Chief Engineer of the Year Award for his leadership during development of the Vision of the Fjords diesel-electric sightseeing catamaran, which went into operation on Norway’s Naeroyfjord in July 2016 following just 14 months of development. And though his shipbuilding company Brødrene Aa had had no prior experience building hybrid vessels, it was Tor Øyvin Aa who proposed the diesel-electric propulsion setup that now enables the Vision of the Fjords to be propelled solely by battery power while operating in the UNESCO World Heritage Site section of the fjord and on diesel power when outside of it.

Also shortlisted:
Mark Downer, chief engineer, Griffon Hoverwork
Stefan Egedal Petersen, chief engineer, Scandlines
Stephen Raiser, co-partner and head of development, Akasol

Unveiled publically at last year’s Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo, Corvus Energy’s lithium-ion-based energy storage system offers up to a 6C peak C-rate, unparalleled density (50% volume and 35% weight reduction) and increased lifespan for applications of all sizes, up to and beyond 10MWh, for pack voltages up to 1,200VDC. With Orca Energy, installed costs are reduced by up to 50%, and connection and commissioning times are reduced by 80%. Orca Energy also offers new innovations related to safety and operations, including cell-level thermal runaway isolation, meaning it doesn’t require liquid cooling for it to be effective. In September 2016, the ESS received approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority following thermal runaway and propagation testing. To date, 17 new vessel builds, including hybrid and all-electric ferries, tugs, cruise ships, superyachts and cargo vessels, have chosen Orca Energy for their hybrid propulsion systems, totalling over 9MW in energy storage. Furthermore, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program provided Corvus Energy with US$342,000 in non-repayable funding to support the continued development and expansion of Orca Energy.

Also shortlisted:
PBES CellSwap battery re-coring system by PBES
Azipod XL podded electric propulsion unit by ABB
AKASystem OEM lithium-ion battery system by Akasol
PowerBOOST DC-to-DC converters by Visedo
Reversible solid-oxide fuel cell system by Boeing

The winner of this category for the third time in four years, ABB enjoyed a positive 12 months, recording a 3% increase in electrification products revenues, a 2% growth in base orders and a net income of US$724m, up from US$500m the previous year. Major contracts won by the company included the supply of the electric propulsion system to a new floating storage and regasification unit for BW Group, and the supply of the complete power, propulsion and automation package for five new cruise vessels being built by MV Weften for Genting Hong Kong brands Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises. 2016 also marked the 25th anniversary of ABB’s Azipod electric propulsion system, which, since its launch, has saved the entire installed Azipod fleet an estimated 700,000 tons in fuel.

Also shortlisted:
The Switch
Visedo Marine
Torqeedo
Wärtsilä

Delivered in June 2016, BB Green is the world’s first electric air-supported vessel. Developed for commuting on inland waterways, and currently being used as a demonstrator in Stockholm by Green City Ferries, the vessel is powered by a 200kWh lithium titanate oxide energy storage system from Leclanché, two 280kW permanent magnet electric motors from Echandia Marine, and a Volvo Penta IPS pod propulsion system. The 25-ton BB Green is also the world’s fastest air-supported vessel. With a top speed of 56km/h, it’s capable of high-speed operation for 30 minutes with a 26km range. It also benefits from a supercharging system that enables the vessel to be recharged in 20 minutes.

Also shortlisted:
Vision of the Fjords diesel-electric sightseeing catamaran by The Fjords
Elfrida electric fish farming vessel by SalMar Farming
Ferry Happiness diesel-electric passenger ferry by Ship & Ocean Industries R&D Center
M/V Berlin and M/V Copenhagen diesel-electric passenger ferries by Scandlines
Seaspan Swift dual-fuel battery-electric cargo ferry by Seaspan Ferries
Fori all-electric commuter ferry by the city of Turku
995ED hybrid hovercraft by Griffon Hoverwork