North America’s leading electric and hybrid marine technology trade fair opens next month!

North America’s leading exhibition for marine electrification, decarbonization, future fuels and low-carbon shipping solutions, Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Exhibition and Conference, will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center in California on March 13-14, 2024.

Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Exhibition
Exhibitors at the free-to-attend Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Exhibition will showcase next-generation electric and hybrid marine propulsion technologies, charging equipment and fuel-saving solutions. Visitors will be able to browse and ask in-depth questions to experts on hand about the line-up of top technologies for electrification and hybridization of workboats, ferries, superyachts and other marine vessels, plus port and harbor infrastructure.

Leading companies across the exhibition floor will include ABB, BAE Systems, GE Power Conversion, Glosten, Volvo Penta and Wärtsilä. Early exhibitor news ahead of the event includes details on: an onshore charging station from Norwegian Electric Systems; the latest lithium-ion battery solutions from Eco Power Group; and the cutting-edge EV charging and monitoring solutions from Marine Charging Point (MCP). Visitors will also be able to discover whole vessel solutions; for example, EV Maritime will present the EVM200 – a 24.5m, 25kts electric catamaran platform that can carry 200 passengers.

Beyond this, Cavotec, a leading cleantech firm that manufactures connection and electrification solutions, will be displaying its new turnkey DC grid-to-inlet charging system to support the decarbonization of vessels and industrial vehicles worldwide. The system consists of a high-power electronic module, a megawatt charging system (MCS) and an MCS inlet installed on vessels or vehicles. An optional battery storage module is available to mitigate energy peaks or for when grid capacity is limited.

Global marine propulsion technology leader Twin Disc will display its hybrid and electric marine capabilities at the expo. According to the company, its innovative solutions embrace the growing demand for efficient, environmentally friendly marine propulsion systems. Twin Disc’s booth will highlight the company’s parallel hybrid system that combines the power of a diesel engine with the quiet operation of an electric motor, while also enabling energy storage. Designed to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and overall environmental impact, this system, the company says, is best suited for vessels with long waits between jobs, a high percentage of slow-speed operation and that operate in restricted areas and zero-emission zones.

Transfluid will also present the HM3350 hybrid module which, following a complete vessel restoration, is now powering the Western Flyer – a boat with a storied history and legendary past that is now a showcase for the future of marine propulsion. Mounted between the 425hp diesel engine and marine gear, the HM3350 provides up to 200hp of full electric propulsion. The parallel installation enables the motors to charge the batteries when the boat is using engine propulsion. This flexible design ensures the Flyer can carry out its new mission as a research vessel completely silently when on station, using the HM3350 to maneuver and power the onboard hydraulic systems via clutchable PTOs installed on the drive.

Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Conference
With over 70 speakers and 12 conference tracks, Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America Conference will enable attendees to discover the latest projects and trends from major shipowners and operators, classification societies and respected academics. It will also provide instant access to US maritime policymakers and funding opportunities, and the new technologies critical to saving fuel, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

Among these esteemed specialists at the dedicated conference (rates apply) will be Will Ayers, chief electrical engineer at Elliott Bay Design Group. In his presentation, Ayers will discuss the two biggest technical challenges for plug-in vessels – how to connect to and store energy from shore. He’ll also cover supplier uncertainties, redesign forced by cell advances and Buy America constraints.

Drew Orvieto, senior manager of passenger vessels, marine and ports at ABB Marine & Ports USA, will give a talk on the ABB technology deployed in the Crowley eWolf electric tug and how it is used for autonomous and remote-control functions for navigation, maneuvering and propulsion. Orvieto will provide insight into why this technology was selected for use on the eWolf electric tug and how the propulsion system architecture facilitates these functions; an update on implementation and regulatory activities to date; and a discussion on goals and the future roadmap.

John Motlow, chief strategy officer of Zero Emission Industries (ZEI), will discuss the future of hydrogen power in maritime applications. ZEI provides an ecosystem of products aimed at driving the adoption of hydrogen power systems. Motlow’s presentation will focus on ZEI’s journey to create the first commuter ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, along with an examination of what ZEI’s hydrogen power and fueling systems can provide for the future.

For more of the top presentations to catch at Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America, take a look at Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International editor-in-chief Matt Ross’s must-see speaker highlights.

Maritime battery short course
Attendees will also be able to attend a four-part maritime battery short course from Dr Ben Gully, chief technologist at SPOC Grid Inverter Technologies. Dr Gully is a subject matter expert and experienced executive in lithium-ion battery systems. He has 14 years’ experience engineering maritime battery solutions including time as a subject matter expert with DNV Norway. As chief technologist at SPOC Grid, Dr Gully provides technical leadership for power system designs and applications using energy storage, maximizing benefits that can be achieved through novel implementation and application of batteries and inverters, and designing and using solutions that enable customers to achieve environmental and sustainability goals with real, positive ROI. His short course is truly a must-see for any attendee.

The first part of this course will review the background of batteries in maritime, how and where they are used, and why they are different from batteries in automotive and stationary applications. The second will consider ensuring that hybrid as well as all-electric applications are carefully considered; Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, managing director at the Maritime Battery Forum, will discuss battery safety and firefighting guidelines in part three; and Dr Gully will conclude the course looking at “battery project implementation and common pitfalls”.

REGISTER NOW for your free exhibition entry pass and check out the latest conference program at Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America 2024.