Emissions Worldview
The propulsion system of the Explorer consists of a pair of John Deere 6081 diesel engines
rated 175 k W at 1800 r/min and a 55 k W John Deere 4045 engine also running at 1800 r/min.
Hybrid Propulsion
Passenger Vessel
Debuts
Unique propulsion system lowers emissions, increases flexibility
Hybrid propulsion is a natural for passenger vessels since they have modest
power requirements when compared to other commercial boats such as offshore
vessels and inland waterway workboats that need considerably more power.
The Explorer, which is thought to be the first boat with such a propulsion plant,
is 27. 4 m by 7. 62 m and is owned by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.-based
RiverQuest, a not-for-profit educational institution that provides river-based experimental learning and adventure opportunities for students, teachers and the public.
In addition to hybrid propulsion, the vessel is designed to be a “green” or environmentally friendly boat. According to RiverQuest Executive Director Karl
Thomas, the “green” boat will provide a new way to teach students and the public about the rivers, the environment, energy and sustainability. Further, the boat
will reduce the total energy needed to serve approximately 10 000 students each
year by nearly half or 35 000 k W/hours. Greenhouse gases and toxic emissions,
including CO2 and SOx will also be significantly reduced.
The vessel has two enclosed decks with the pilothouse forward on the second
deck. There are several classrooms on both enclosed decks and additional educational space in the hull. There are promenade decks around both enclosed decks
Larry Pearson is a freelance writer based in Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.A.
and there is open space aft on the first
and second decks.
Built of recycled steel by Freeport
Shipbuilding Group, Freeport, Florida,
U.S.A., the vessel was delivered in
March. “This is the first subchapter T
boat I am aware of that uses a hybrid
propulsion system where batteries are a
major component in the propulsion
system,” said Jim Murray, president of
Freeport Shipbuilding.
The vessel is being funded by private
and public funds. One major sponsor
of the vessel is the Heinz Foundation
and Heinz Endowments of Pittsburgh.
Cost of the vessel is approximately
US$3 million.
Vessel design was done by DeJong &
Lebet, Jacksonville, Florida. They designed the entire vessel except for the
propulsion system. DeJong & Lebet
will work with the Coast Guard to
obtain regulatory approvals. The vessel
will be classed Subchapter T with a stability letter for 149 passengers and
crew and able to sail on a Protected
Waters route.
The heart of the vessel is a hybrid
diesel-electric propulsion system designed by Alion Science and Technology Corporation Inc., of McLean,
Virginia, U.S.A. Alion chose the ELFA
System by Siemens Energy & Automation, Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S.A.
“RiverQuest was fortunate to have
Siemens come forward with a sole source
solution to the propulsion system,” said
Tom Risley, Alion vice president and
manager of the Alion JJMA Maritime
and Industrial Engineering operation.
The propulsion system consists of a
pair of John Deere 6081 Diesel engines
rated 175 k W at 1800 r/min and a 55 k W
John Deere 4045 engine also running at
1800 r/min. Kennedy Engine, Biloxi,
Mississippi, U.S.A., supplied the engines.
The two larger engines are connected
to gears that raise their speed to 5000
r/min to run 165 k W variable speed
Siemens generators. Both of these
engines use flex couplings to transfer
the power from the engine to the gear
