Corvus Energy battery systems selected by ABB for Washington State Ferries

Corvus Energy is pleased to announce that the company has been selected by ABB’s Marine & Ports division to supply battery energy storage systems (ESS) for two new hybrid electric ferries for Washinton State Ferries, a leading ferry operator in the United States. The contract also includes an option for a third vessel.

U.S. largest maritime electrification effort

Washington State Ferries (WSF) manages the largest ferry system in the United States, operating 21 auto-passenger ferries across 10 routes serving 19 terminals. The two new hybrid electric ferries will be the first of up to 16 new vessels delivered as part of WSF’s $3.98 billion Ferry System Electrification plan (source). The project is anticipated to be the largest investment in maritime electrification and the largest ferry electrification project in the United States to date, an important milestone for U.S. marine emissions reduction efforts.

The new 1,500 passenger and 160 vehicle capacity ferries will play a crucial role in WSF’s strategy to modernize its fleet and reduce its environmental footprint.

Ferry operations with low emissions

The hybrid ferries, equipped with both an energy storage system (ESS) and diesel-powered generators, will be designed to operate using battery power alone, as access to sufficient onshore charging capacity allows. An environmentally friendly configuration, fully battery-powered operations produce zero emissions and require zero fuel.

With the new hybrid ferries, WSF aims to achieve sizeable reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This is in alignment with both WSF’s target to reduce ferry fleet emissions and Washington State's broader environmental goals.