World's first emission-free push boat “Elektra” to have SCHOTTEL propulsion units

SCHOTTEL says that the innovative “Elektra” push boat, ordered by Berlin harbour’s warehousing and logistics firm BEHALA and developed at the Department of Design and Operation of Maritime Systems at the Technical University of Berlin, will be equipped with rudderpropellers from the German propulsion expert SCHOTTEL. The hybrid canal push boat is powered by a combination of fuel cells, batteries and an electric motor. The “Elektra”, which is currently under construction at the Hermann Barthel shipyard in Derben (Germany), will be the first emission-free push boat worldwide.

Model for electrical energy concepts
“The ‘Elektra’ shows what is possible. It demonstrates – not only as a push boat, but in particular as a model for electrical energy concepts for many maritime areas – that an energy turnaround is quite possible. We are pleased to have SCHOTTEL by our side as an expert in the field of propulsion technology,” states Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerd Holbach, Project Manager at TU Berlin for the Department of Design and Operation of Maritime Systems.

New technologies on board
The 20.00-metre long and 8.20-metre wide canal push boat will be equipped with two SCHOTTEL Rudderpropellers type SRP 100 with nozzle (200 kW each) and a SCHOTTEL steering and control system. A minimum service speed of max. 10 km/h is reached and a maximum thrust load of 1,400 tonnes is available.

The vessel will use the fuel cell technology for the basic energy supply of the power train and for the shipboard electrical system. At peak loads, additional energy is provided by the batteries. The hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell is generated via electrolysis from green electricity generated by wind power.

Emission-free from day one
It is planned that the “Elektra” will first be tested in Berlin in 2020 and, starting in 2022, between Berlin and Hamburg as well. From 2025 onwards, the vessel is to travel in commercial operation between Berlin and Hamburg and to be used primarily for freight transport. From its very first day of testing in Berlin, the “Elektra” will be completely emission and pollutant-free.

About SCHOTTEL
The SCHOTTEL Group, with its headquarters in Spay/Rhine, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications. Founded in 1921, the company has been developing and manufacturing azimuth propulsion and manoeuvring systems, complete propulsion systems with power ratings of up to 30 MW, and steering systems for vessels of all sizes and types, for nearly 70 years. Around 100 sales and service locations worldwide ensure customer proximity.