4 EVS CHANGING THE WAY WE MOVE

In 2015 , the world ’ s first electric ferry set sail between the villages of Lavik and Oppedal in Norway ’ s Sognefjord . The vessel , called Ampere , is propelled using battery technology developed by German manufacturing giant Siemens . One lithium-ion battery is stored aboard the ferry itself , with two more fixed to the respective piers at either side of the crossing .

Ampere was the end result of a competition launched by Norway ’ s Ministry of Transport and Communications in 2011 to develop a clean method for ferry transport . In late September , it was announced that two additional electric ferries have been commissioned in Norway , this time to sail the E39 Anda-Lote route on the country ’ s west coast . The vessels will have a cargo capacity of 120 cars , 12 trailers and precisely 349 passengers . The new ferries will commence operation in 2018 .

Siemens will again install an integrated electric power and automation solution aboard both of the ferries . The company ’ s electric propulsion solution , BlueDrive PlusC , includes lithium-ion batteries for energy storage and thruster and remote control for the propellers . The ferries will also benefit from an integrated alarm and monitoring system and an energy management system .

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