Corvus Energy to supply energy storage systems for net zero subsea construction vessel

Haf Power Solutions (HPS) has selected Corvus Energy to supply energy storage systems (ESS) for the energy subsea construction vessel (ESCV) to be built for shipowner Rem Offshore.

The Corvus Energy-supplied ESS is scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2026 and the vessel will go in into operation in the second half of the same year. The contract also includes an option for equipment deliveries for a second vessel.

The new ESCV is of ST-245 design and will reportedly be the first vessel to perform heavy construction work in both offshore wind and subsea with net zero emissions. The vessel will be equipped with dual-fuel methanol engines and a 1.7MW battery system. The batteries will be used for spinning reserve and peak shaving, as well as to regenerate power from the operation of offshore lifting equipment onboard the vessel.

Increased battery capacity to optimize energy consumption

Ronny Pål Kvalsvik, chief commercial officer of Rem Offshore, commented, “This project showcases that we are ready to take zero-emission offshore operations one step further. The vessel will not only be methanol ready – it will run on green fuels. The way it is designed, and its innovative technology, will provide us with flexibility and efficiency as well as high redundancy. We anticipate significant improvements in energy consumption as well as a reduction in operational costs, while also contributing to a greener future for the maritime sector. Increased battery capacity is needed to optimize the system.

“When using an alternative fuel such as methanol, batteries play an even more important role as the response time for dual-fuel engines is slow. Increased energy storage capacity will allow us to more fully leverage the energy efficiency benefits of battery power, including the ability to regenerate energy from mission equipment on board. Our selection of the integrator HPS along with Corvus batteries reflects REM Offshore’s vision to use local suppliers for a more sustainable and efficient maritime industry.”

All main partners in the project are located on the west coast of Norway. Both the design company, Skipsteknisk, and the integrator, HPS, are located in Ålesund, and the vessel will be built at Myklebust Verft in Gursken. This proximity facilitated close collaboration throughout the entire project planning phase for the vessel.

New standard for offshore vessels

Pål Ove Husøy, vice president of sales at Corvus Energy, stated, “This project proves the value of collaboration. The innovative vessel will set a new standard for offshore vessels due to its groundbreaking energy system design. Up until now, battery packs have often been sized to a minimum to enable spinning reserve for 10 minutes. Adding more battery capacity unlocks the potential to gain increased value from the battery system.

“By adding additional battery capacity, you can increase the value of the batteries by using them in all operational modes as well as improve the balancing of the entire power management system to reduce fuel as much as possible. In this case, when the vessel will be running on methanol, the more you can utilize the batteries, the more cost-efficient it gets.”

In related news, Corvus Energy will supply the battery energy storage system for the Magellan Discoverer – the first hybrid diesel-electric vessel to be constructed in South America. Click here to read the full story.