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

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, Bosch Engineering, a subsidiary of Robert Bosch, will be highlighting the Invcon 3.3 OHW inverter, the SMG220 OHW separate motor generator, the eGFZ9125 central drive and an electric drive control unit (EDCU) and the Electric Drive System Platform (EDSP). The inverter provides customized control for Bosch electric motors in marine applications. The configurable software and control parameters enable flexible use in different use cases. The integrated DC-DC converter, the AC compressor connection and the integrated torque and speed controller enable maximum functionality. The inverter is developed and tested according to Bosch’s high-volume production process for the highest reliability.

Additionally, Marine Charging Point (MCP), headquartered in Finland, will be at the expo to talk about its EV charging and monitoring solutions that cater to the needs of electric and hybrid ferries and other vessels. MCP’s innovative solutions offer flexibility, making them compatible with existing fleets through retrofitting or tailored for new-builds. The heart of the EV charging and monitoring system is the CYAN central control system, which was developed according to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) guidelines. It empowers crews to monitor and manage the EV charging process, prioritizing safety through integration in IAS and early-warning systems as well as efficiency through integration in PMS and dynamic load management.

At the expo, Helix will also unveil its latest core technology motors and inverters, which the company claims set new standards for efficiency and performance in marine applications. Helix will also debut what it says is a groundbreaking submerged pod drive concept, promising enhanced maneuverability, reduced noise and increased hydrodynamic efficiency. This innovative design aims to transform the marine propulsion landscape and improve overall vessel performance. In addition to the submerged pod drive, the company will introduce an electric hybrid generator concept using its SPC330 product platform, offering a sustainable and flexible power source for marine applications.

EV Maritime will display the EVM200, a 24.5m, 25kts electric catamaran platform with capacity for up to 200 passengers. According to the company, this carbon-fiber vessel brings safe, reliable, high-performance, fully electric operation to the passenger and excursion ferry sectors. The first two of these vessels are currently under construction at a shipyard in New Zealand and will launch in 2024. They have been funded by the New Zealand government for operation in Auckland’s commuter public transportation fleet.

Alongside these innovative solutions, Zinus, a Norwegian expert in shore power and cable management solutions, will present its new ZPP800 autonomous charging tower and SWC200 onboard unit. According to the company, this tech represents a leap forward in efficiency and functionality, driven by years of experience and customer input. The company’s latest improvements include faster charging capabilities, with current levels increased from 4,400A to 8,000A. Zinus has also made the unit easier to connect and disconnect and enhanced the design to minimize service maintenance.

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 Dr Keri Collins, lecturer in mechanical engineering at the University of Plymouth in the UK. In her presentation, Dr Collins will discuss the university’s transdisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges of charging infrastructure for sub 24m vessels. She’ll also share knowledge, in particular, what infrastructure has been installed to date, and which lessons have been learned.

Joel Thigpen, general manager of marine new-build sales at Wärtsilä, will give a talk presentation the emergence of electrical and hybrid systems transforms vessel performance, covering hull, onboard systems, shore facilities and grids. He will speak about how the electrical integrator’s vital role ensures seamless coordination and shapes overall system performance, and will spotlight evolving performance dynamics and the integrator’s critical role. Notable projects, such as MV Medstraum (fully electric) and MV Buquebus (world’s largest electric passenger vessel) will be featured.

Sveinung Odegard, senior vice president (SVP) of fuel cell business development at Corvus Energy, will discuss how combining energy storage with fuel cells, plus a green fuel, such as hydrogen, takes zero-emission technology one step further. He will look at how it provides an efficient solution to expand the range and flexibility of zero-emission operations and enables new emissions savings for longer-route and larger vessels that previously were not achievable. This presentation will outline the benefits of the technology and share insights from the multi-year development and testing of a marine fuel cell system.

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.