New Hybrid Electric Boat - The Maritime Executive

Posted - Thursday, May 6th, 2010 The Maritime Executive
Capstone Turbine and Electric Ship Facilities Team Up on Hybrid Electric Boat

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com), a leading clean-technology manufacturer of micro-turbine energy systems, announced that the world's first boat powered with an “ultra low emission” Capstone C30 micro-turbine will launch in the Netherlands in early June.

The 75-foot prototype craft is owned by Electric Ship Facilities in the Netherlands, developer of a hybrid-electric propulsion system for ships, which can operate on multiple forms of power generation. The ship will showcase its innovative onboard energy system featuring a Capstone C30 diesel fueled micro-turbine at key maritime and energy related tradeshows throughout Europe and to potential marine customers.

"Micro-turbines are ideal for power generation in marine applications because of their ultra low emissions and maintenance, small footprint, ease of installation, quiet operation and lack of lubricants and coolant," said Jim Crouse, Capstone's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
For years, cruise ships and other large vessels have used diesel-electric systems because of the systems' ability to efficiently produce propulsion and auxiliary power on long, uninterrupted trips across the ocean. A problem, however, is that emissions increase and efficiency deteriorates when a ship is operating at less than cruise speed. ... More at

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