Today is another important day for Blue Power Synergy. Within the framework of the Interreg VI B North Sea RED II Ports project, the high-speed vessel Phoenix has been launched at the port of Oostende.
The PHOENIX has two 520 hp engines, similar to those used by CTVs in the offshore industry.
In the first phase, the engines will be piloted in the Fisheries Dock at the port of Oostende, where speeds are limited. Initially, gasoline will be used, and in a later phase, BPS will use bio-ethanol (from bio-waste) as the fuel for the engines. In a second phase, both engines will be tested at a location where higher speeds can be achieved. The goal for the Phoenix is to reach at least 50 km per hour.
So far the bio-ethanol engines in the powerboat set-up and hybrid-catamaran were tested onshore. The seemingly lower efficiency compared to gasoline appears to be compensated by higher performance and cheaper cost. The functionality will be evaluated for a potential transfer on CTV (Crew Transfer Vessels) used in offshore wind parks.
A RED II Ports production.
