RH Marine introduces hybrid refit packages for superyachts

(ROTTERDAM, Netherlands) — RH Marine, a Dutch maritime system integrator of electrical and automation systems, has introduced pre-composed hybrid packages to convert conventional superyacht power systems to battery-powered hybrid solutions. Hybrid power solutions allow for reduced operational costs and increased comfort at sea.

With almost any newbuild yacht considering a hybrid power system, more owners of existing superyachts desire the benefits in operational costs and comfort too. RH Marine developed three pre-engineered packages that can be installed on board an existing yacht during a refit. The three packages vary in size and energy storage from 250 kWh up to 750 kWh, so there’s a package to fit every yacht's requirements.

Adding batteries as an extra power source allows the generators to run on an optimal load, increasing comfort by having power and being able to maneuver without running the engines – for instance, when entering a harbor or diving in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The hybrid solution also guarantees a reliable shore supply, solving the problem of blackouts in harbors and allowing silence on board during anchoring while the hotel load runs on batteries and engines can be switched off.

RH Marine’s Rhodium Energy Management System (EMS), using a self-learning artificial intelligence algorithm, automatically distributes the power demand over the available diesel generators and batteries. The system controls all energy sources to operate on their most optimal point, thus ensuring optimal operation given an (operational) goal. The Rhodium hybrid solution already runs on multiple boats including a prize-winning 80-plus-meter superyacht.

Deployed in the unpredictable sailing profile of a yacht, it has proved an 11 percent fuel savings and a 32 percent reduction of generator running hours, thus reducing engine maintenance costs with 50 percent.

For more information, visit www.rhmarine.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff