Corvus Energy will supply two of its Orca BOB containerised shoreside battery energy storage systems (ESS) with a total energy storage capacity of 2,990 kWh for Crowley’s eWolf electric tug project.

The shoreside charging infrastructure will go into service with the Crowley eWolf in 2023, marking the first deployment of an all-electric tug in the US. Corvus Energy is also supplying the 6.2 MWh Corvus Orca ESS on board eWolf. The vessel is under construction at Master Boat Builders, with electrical integration provided by ABB.

“The use of the Corvus Orca ESS shoreside will allow eWolf to charge quickly, potentially avoiding the need to upgrade the electricity grid infrastructure at the port,” said Ole Jacob Irgens, Corvus Energy – President Americas. “Since the Orca ESS has a high C-rate, it is capable of discharging quickly and safely so that eWolf will be quickly recharged and returned into service.”

“Corvus Energy’s storage system will enable Crowley and our federal, state and local partners to reach our shared commitment of reducing emissions and providing cleaner air for the San Diego community. The innovative technology also will help ensure high performance and reliability as the tugboats serves customers – providing a model for sustainability at ports around the nation,” said Paul Manzi, vice president, Crowley Shipping.

Crowley and the Port of San Diego are taking a similar approach to the Port of Virginia, which plans to install battery storage to support rapid charging of its first electric terminal tractors without requiring an upgrade to the terminal’s connection to the grid. In San Diego the 20ft Corvus Orca BOB containers will each contain almost 1.5 MWh of energy storage capacity and be capable of “fast-charging” the Crowley eWolf tug. The complete ESS is class-approved and comes with Orca battery modules, battery monitoring system (BMS), HVAC , TR exhaust, and firefighting and detection system. 

Corvus added that the shoreside battery energy storage system reflects a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Crowley and Shell Trading (US) Company to focus on supporting alternative energy solutions for shoreside and terminal operations. 

“We recognise that the world is in the midst of an energy transition, and we’re working hard to play our part,” said Maarten Poort, general manager of Shell Shipping & Maritime Americas. “As both an investor and customer of Corvus Energy and its innovative ESS products, Shell is proud to support battery energy bunkering as a zero-emission alternative energy solution for shore power.”