Hybrid Drive
Hybrid Marine has designed a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system for use in small ocean going boats, and inland craft. Initially this has been designed to be supplied as a "new build" solution supplied in conjunction with a Beta Marine Green star canal engine. The system is a "parallel" system where the boat can be propelled by either the Diesel engine or the electric motor.
The Video above shows NB Chelonian manovering using the electric Drive.
As you can see the system provides plenty of power and is almost silent in operation.
Hybrid Marine are also developing a "retro-fit" system which can be fitted to popular models of existing engine and may in the future develop a "serial hybrid" solution which uses electric propulsion with the diesel engine generating the electrical supply.
NB Chelonian was originally going to be a test bed for the "retro-fit" solution with the Beta new build solution being fitted to a new boat being built at Simpsons yard in Bristol. Unfortunately the failure of Simpsons has delayed the completion of the new boat and Chelonian is now being use to test the "new build" solution complete with a brand new Beta 43 engine
The Beta 43 engine, complete with electric motor and drive system, was fitted in mid October 2008 by Reading Marine, replacing the aging BMC1800. The engine was tested during the autumn cruise last week of October 2008. During the first week of November and the electric propulsion system was installed by Hybrid marine enabling the boat to make its first trip under electric propulsion on Saturday 8th November.
© D.McInerney 2008
All Hybrid marine logo's and designs are the property of Hybrid marine Ltd
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