First ship in Germany powered by methanol uses Siemens technology

Niederkassel-Mondorf/Essen. The MS Innogy from Lux Werft und Schifffahrt GmbH (Lux), Niederkassel-Mondorf, is the first ship on the market in Germany powered by methanol. The excursion boat joins Essen’s Weiße Flotte (White Fleet) and was designed using environmentally-friendly hybrid drive technology from Siemens. With her drive concept based on the latest fuel cell and battery technology, the MS Innogy can sail completely free from emissions in normal operation and will carry guests and tourists on Lake Baldeney in Essen.

Essen has been declared the “Green Capital of Europe” for 2017 and the city is taking the opportunity to set a good example in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness. It is therefore no surprise that Essen has commissioned a very special boat from Lux Werft: the MS Innogy which is powered by methanol. She is therefore the first boat in Germany which is powered by a combination of an electric drive and fuel cells. The MS Innogy uses Siemens control, energy and drive technology. This innovative technology makes it possible for the boat’s day-to-day operation to be completely emissions-free.

One-stop technology shop

Plans for the MS Innogy were drawn up in 3D using Siemens PLM Software’s NX CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Many of the products used on the technical front come from the Siemens drives and controls portfolio which all communicate with each other via the Profinet bus system. The Simatic S7-1500 controller, in combination with the ET200SP distributed I/O system, provides automation and control of the various operating modes (charging, electric operation and diesel/electric operation) and manages the energy sources (batteries, fuel cells or diesel generator). A Simatic HMI (Human Machine Interface) panel ensures the skipper has complete control of his ship at a single glance. All the electrical output components are connected to a joint DC intermediate circuit which is controlled by a Sinamics DCP bidirectional DC/DC converter. This forms the link between the battery and fuel cells unit and the intermediate circuit. The Simotics 1PH8 servo motors, which are connected via Sinamics S120 frequency converters, provide guaranteed maneuverability and the necessary propulsion. A further component of this intermediate circuit is a Sinamics Active Line Module which allows MS Innogy to make use of the onboard 400 Volt electrical system. The TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) Portal ensures all the control components are efficiently and consistently engineered. Energy level readings are obtained via several Sentron PAC3200 multi-functional measuring devices from Siemens’ low-voltage portfolio. Switches from the Sirius Act range of industrial controls are also used. The Sinema Remote Connect management platform and the Scalance M876-4 router provide smooth and secure remote maintenance for all the ship’s systems. Both the parameterization of the converters and the preparation of the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) software for coordinating the PLC and the energy management system on the intermediate circuit were set up to precise customer specifications. 

Extending a leading position

Lux and Siemens have set new standards for environmental drive solutions in shipping with this vessel which is currently the only one of its type in Germany. The concept has been sufficiently positively received that Lux already has won further contracts for ships featuring this innovative drive system.

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