In order to reach the vision for 2050 the Government has set out expectations for 2025 and 2035:

By 2025

1. All vessels operating in UK waters are maximising the use of energy efficiency options. All new vessels being ordered for use in UK waters are being designed with zero emission propulsion capability. Zero emission commercial vessels are in operation in UK waters.
2. The UK is building clean maritime clusters focused on innovation and infrastructure associated with zero emission propulsion technologies, including bunkering of low or zero emission fuel.

A well designed hybrid system maximises the energy efficiency of the Diesel engine and Electric drive mode provides a zero emission propulsion capability. Hybrid Marine (HM) Parallel hybrids have met the 2025 vision since 2007, so we are well ahead of UK government targets.

 

Titania Parallel hybrid, Stratford Upon Avon,  in operation since 2010

 

By 2035

1. The UK has built a number of clean maritime clusters. These combine infrastructure and innovation for the use of zero emission propulsion technologies. Low or zero emission marine fuel bunkering options are readily available across the UK.
   

Our Hybrid systems are very well placed to take advantage of improvements in infrastructure. As more charging point become available then a larger part of a crafts operating cycle can be performed from zero carbon resources.

The Clean Maritime Plan (Section3,67, page 25) identifies the technologies to achieve  zero-emissions

"Electricity is estimated to play a much smaller role than that of alternative fuels, with electric propulsion take up limited to vessels that operate short voyages, such as short ferry crossings. Whilst its use is expected to be more significant for the UK domestic fleet than the UK international fleet, it is still estimated to remain relatively small under all scenarios. This conclusion is sensitive, however, to current cost assumptions, such as regarding the capital cost of batteries."

The UK government is not seeing electrification as the solution for marine craft in the same way as its policy on road vehicles. Engines will still be employed with alternative fuels being seen as the way forward. The Hybrid Marine propulsion system can operate for extended periods in electric drive where recharging facilities exist, and can be mated to either a conventional, or alternatively fuelled engine as these become available.  We have already supplied hybrid engines that run on 100% bio-diesel.

 

The floating cinema runs on 100% bio diesel when available, and conventional diesel when not

 While Pure Electric propulsion is technically achievable there are a number of limiting factors.

1. The recharging infrastructure needed to support pure electric craft, across the whole UK inland waterways network, does not exist and will be expensive to install. In the short to medium term Electric propulsion may be suitable for boats which have a limited route or range for example trip boats or day boats. For a "go anywhere" boat capable of navigating the network, without being tied to specific charge points, some form of Hybrid propulsion is needed. Most of the "Electric boats" currently on the network are in reality serial hybrids with a diesel generator on board.
2. Replacing a diesel engine with an equivalent power motor is very expensive. This is why you see many low power electric boats that are not capable of dealing with adverse conditions. There is nothing magical about a motor (despite many claims to the contrary). A 10hp motor is equivalent to a 10hp diesel engine. You would not fit a 10hp diesel engine to a narrow boat or barge and expect it to deal with anything more than a quiet canal. This should be kept in mind if selecting an electric motor as the prime mover.

The Hybrid Marine Parallel system is the ideal solution that makes use of any charging infrastructure available but is not limited by it and has the same range and power as a conventionally powered boat.

Natalia at her 3 phase charging point in Crobie (Somme)	Natalia re-charging overnight in Arras

 

Conclusion

There is no compulsion in the Clean Maritime Plan. It is however a strong indication of the future.

There are some European cities already implementing zero emission zones for their waterways (e.g. Amsterdam). The UK is likely to follow these initiatives at some time.

The Hybrid Marine Parallel system meets all the requirements of the Clean Marine Plan and would satisfy the requirements for zero emission zones if they were introduced in the UK

At Hybrid Marine we have been selling our systems for over 12 years to boaters who appreciate the many benefits provided. This has been achieved despite any legislative requirements and our hybrids are considerably ahead of the Clean Marine plan. This success is due developing high feature systems at a moderate price. At Hybrid Marine we think this is the prime reason to consider our systems as you would future proof yourself against any currently proposed legislation.