Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) was recently selectedby Vigor Fab as the engineering firm that will provide functional design for the new hybrid-electric Olympic Class ferries for Washington State Ferries, the company said in its release.
EBDG is responsible for redesigning the vessels to accommodate the major change in propulsion type without disrupting structural components. The ferries will operate on all-battery power during crossings or can revert to a hybrid, diesel-electric propulsion if required. Battery recharging will typically occur dockside at the terminals during offloading/loading procedures.
Earlier this year, WashingtonState's Legislature authorized a contract extension for Vigor to build up to five hybrid-electric versions of their 144-vehicle Olympic Class.The new-build authorization is a direct result of the 2040 Long Range Plan that identified the initial aspects of vessel and terminal electrification. EBDG was a participant ofthe plan and is now leading the effort for an additional, supporting addendum –the WSF System Electrification Plan.
The System Electrification Plan will identify a detailed plan for deploying hybrid-electric vessels throughout the ferry system.EBDG bringsa unique advantage tothe project team withexperience gained fromdesignwork onthe last twenty vessels built for WSF.Further, EBDGhas beenamajor contributor toWSF's electrification efforts thus far by supporting hybrid feasibility studies and life-cycle cost analyses for boththe Jumbo Mark II and Olympic Class ferries.