Oasis Marine says it has successfully transferred power through its Oasis Power Buoy (OPB) to a crew transfer vessel (CTV). This achievement paves the way for hybrid and fully electric vessels in offshore wind farms, as well as reducing maritime emissions by expanding vessel charging beyond ports and harbours.

During a series of tests in Peterhead Port Authority, energy was transferred via the OPB to a load bank on a CTV, through a specially designed deck-head. Additionally, mooring tests were carried out, where the CTV, GXS Viking, successfully moored to the OPB. Testing was completed either side of Storm Babet, so achieving successful results was even more significant given the weather challenges faced.

“Innovative developments are being made with the design and production of electrified vessels, but range will always be constrained by battery capabilities,” says Oasis Marine MD, George Smith. “The ability to re-charge offshore is crucial for decarbonising maritime. We have proved that the Oasis Power Buoy expands the capability to charge vessels offshore, enabling a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions and fuel costs. This ensures hybrid and electric vessel use can be maximised and is a very encouraging development for the global maritime industry.

“Completing testing during the unprecedented Storm Babet brought challenges, but all credit to the team working on this project that we have emerged from these trials with major gains. The core principles of the Oasis Power Buoy have been proven and we now have a programme of optimisation over the winter months and final tests next spring, before deploying in an offshore wind farm for a pilot project thereafter.”

Upon commercial deployment the Oasis Power Buoy will initially be connected at offshore wind farms to power CTVs. Next phases will be versions for larger service operations vessels in windfarms, as well as decarbonising emergency response vessels. The design optimises CO2e reduction by supplying renewable power via zero-emission wind power. This project has received UK government funding through Innovate UK and MariUK.

MIN first reported on the OPB when Jebb Smith created its new subsidiary, Oasis Marine Power, to drive green marine energy solutions. The aim, in 2021, was to build on the parent company’s marine mooring systems.

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