The Swiss company WinGD will integrate hybrid power and energy systems on four tankers being built for Union Maritime Limited (UML).
The vessels have a carrying capacity of 113,600 dwt and will be equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems.
The agreement marks the first time that WinGD’s integrated energy solution “X-EL” will be deployed with wind-assisted propulsion systems, ensuring optimal utilization of energy generated by the main engine and sails on board.
The vessels will be built by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, with WinGD configuring the hybrid energy system and installing a shaft generator for the main engines, coupled with the “X-EWL” energy management system. This optimizes the power and current distribution between the engines, the shaft generator in PTO mode and the sails, enabling efficient energy use at long ranges and in all operating conditions. The vessels are also the first on which WinGD is using its integrated energy system for third-party main engines.
Smart energy management system
“To maximize energy savings from wind-assisted propulsion, operators need an energy management system that can optimize engine and electrical power in response to available wind energy,” said Stefan Goranov, Head of Integrated Energy Solutions at WinGD. “Thanks to our experience in system integration and control of two-stroke hybrid energy systems, we are able to optimize the efficiency and reliability of operating a vessel with wind-assisted propulsion.” The new ships from UML are an example of the efficiency that can be achieved through a holistic energy concept.
“Our goal is to build the most energy-efficient ships on the market and we believe that wind-assisted propulsion is a key element in achieving this,” said Bhuvnesh Dogra, Head of Engineering at Union Maritime Limited. “This also applies to effective energy management throughout the vessel. WinGD’s X-EL solution, which manages overall energy consumption while utilizing the fuel-efficient main engine to generate auxiliary electrical power, will make an important contribution to the efficiency of these vessels.”
Fuel efficiency and flexible energy management
The WinGD X-EL integrated energy solutions have been deployed on ships in operation since 2022. By utilizing the power margin of the main engine instead of the auxiliary engines traditionally used to generate power on board, the solution offers more fuel-efficient power generation and greater flexibility in power management on ships. WinGD‘s unique expertise in two-stroke engines means it can optimize power generation potential, while its cutting-edge digital capabilities support both the configuration of the initial power system – including its control strategies – and its subsequent management and optimization during operation.
As part of X-EL Energy, WinGD develops customized, integrated energy systems for each vessel – regardless of the engine brand used. The configurations can include energy storage systems such as batteries and fuel cells as well as other energy resources such as wind-assisted drives.
