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CORAL ISSUE - n° 19 - 2019 - € 10
The Art of Sailing
[ TECHNOLOGY ]
© Jeff Brown
THE FUTURE IS GREEN
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by Paola Bertelli
“S
ilent cruising, combined with low vibration and emission levels, can
MTU’s new completely integrated diesel-electric system debuts in 2020, marking such a huge leap forward in energy efficiency and onboard comfort that noise and vibration will be a distant memory
offer tremendous gains in terms of onboard comfort. High performance levels, efficiency, environmental compatibility and the flexibility of the propulsion system are of great interest today when operating a yacht. We believe that the focus of the yacht industry in the future will increasingly be on smart and innovative system solutions, rather than on just the power output level.” So says Knut Müller, Head of Marine and Government Business at MTU, which has been developing hybrid propulsion systems for many years. 2020 will see the launch of the first Sunseeker yacht sporting, its first completely integrated series production hybrid propulsion system. The latter comprises twin MTU diesel 2000 Series engines, on-board generators, electric engines, a transmission system, batteries, control and monitoring systems, and can be expanded on a modular basis. MTU has already custom-built numerous hybrid systems for superyachts, not least Home, a 50-metre fast displacement built by Heesen that couples twin 1,200 kW MTU 2000M61 V12s with two 110 kW electric motors. The all-aluminium craft can make nine knots in all-electric mode for completely silent cruising. Heesen also has a second example, Project Electric, in build that will be fitted with the same system before her launch next spring. A, the world’s largest sailing yacht, also sports an MTU diesel-electric hybrid system with seven different propulsion modes. She can hit a maximum speed of 21 knots as her
In electric mode, the 50-metre Heesen, Home, makes nine knots in complete silence. She sports an MTU custom hybrid system
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[ TECHNOLOGY ]
In 2020, we will see the first series production craft – a Sunseeker – sporting MTU’s completely integrated hybrid propulsion system
set-up delivers combined diesel-electric power output of around
with zero emissions and noise and minimal vibration, to diesel,
16,000 kilowatts.
which delivers huge power.
The company’s ambition to transition from custom systems to
From 2020, systems will be available that incorporate MTU
completely integrated series production ones is a strong signal of
2000 Series engines coupled with variable electric power and
the green direction that the nautical world is going in.
spanning a range of 1,000 to 2,200 kilowatts per powertrain.
MTU’s new systems are designed for use on yachts, working
Hybrid systems based on the MTU 4000 Series combined with
vessels, ferries and patrol boats, and straddle a range of between
electric motors will then follow and these will span a range of
1,000 to 4,000 kilowatts per set-up. Owners can choose between
1,000 to 4,000 kilowatts per powertrain. www.mtu-online.com
various different running modes: everything from full-electric
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