Corvus ESS to power world’s first fully electric offshore vessel

Corvus Energy has announced that it will deliver what it describes as a “mega-size” battery system for what it says will be the first fully electric offshore vessel ever to be built.

The vessel is an electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by Armon shipyard in Spain for UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine Ltd. 

Corvus Energy says that it will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will deliver close to 25MWh of power for the vessel. It will be the largest LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery system ever delivered to a maritime project, the company says. 

Corvus Energy officials say that this eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day. The vessel design will incorporated both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines that “will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.”

Corvus Energy says that it has been cooperating closely with the shipowner, designer and integrator to dimension and optimize the system design. The company also says that, unlike conventional hybrid systems, the vessel will utilize its large battery pack as the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimized load that maximizes efficiency, extends battery lifespan and significantly reduces emissions. 

Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027 supporting the commissioning and operation of windfarms.