Driveline specialist ZF has announced it is expanding its hybrid transmission portfolio and supplementing its existing scope of supply with electric motors, power electronics and controls.
ZF’s new parallel hybrid systems enable the additional installation of electric drives with power levels between 150 and 750 kW, resulting in the market being able to obtain the complete driveline from a single source.
Due to stricter environmental regulations, operators with conventionally operated ships will face harsher emissions restrictions in more and more ports worldwide. As a result, it has further advanced its hybrid portfolio to support port operators and shipbuilders.
“Hybrid systems have been used for marine drives for a while now. However, many shipyards wish to draw on compact complete systems from a single source. ZF accommodates this wish. We provide standardised overall solutions,” Wolfram Frei, Head of Sales of Commercial and Fast Craft, said.
This means that customers can benefit from the professional expertise of ZF Marine and rely on hybrid drive systems, with components that are already perfectly harmonised with each other before leaving the factory. This ensures that ZF’s maritime drive solutions perform optimally in every application without any additional integration effort.
At SMM Digital 2021, ZF presented its entire portfolio of these propulsion solutions, including several electric motors, covering a range from 150 to 750 kW.
Many types of ships can now benefit from ZF’s considerable expertise on sustainable propulsion systems, including yachts, tugboats, patrol boats, passenger vessels or ferries.
The main advantage of hybrid maritime drives is obvious. As no fuel is consumed during electric operation, this leads to zero local emissions and minimal noise.
When compared to the marine diesel drive, this not only saves money but also protects the environment. It also allows manoeuvering in regions that do not allow vessels with combustion engines to pass. Simultaneously, the diesel engine’s operating hours are reduced, which decreases maintenance costs.
Another benefit is that electric motors enable an additional boost function, which increases the maximum input power of the driveline. This feature can be particularly critical when sudden evasive manoeuvers are required, such as coast guard patrol vessels or tugging heavy cargo.
