Corvus ESS to power the world’s first electric offshore vessel

The eCSOV will have almost 25MW of Corvus battery installed and will be the world`s first fully electric offshore vessel

Corvus Energy, a leading supplier of zero-emission solutions for the marine industry, announced last month that it will deliver a mega-size battery system for the first-ever fully electric offshore vessel. The ship is an electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Spain for UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine Ltd.

Corvus Energy will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) delivering close to 25MWh of power for the vessel and represents the largest LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery system ever delivered to a maritime project.

Pål Ove Husoy, vice president of sales at Corvus Energy, said: “A fully electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working towards for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations. This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day and will set a new standard for future offshore vessels. The unique system design incorporating both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.”

Maximising efficiency
Corvus Energy has been cooperating closely with the shipowner, designer and integrator to dimension and optimise the system design. Unlike conventional hybrid systems, the vessel will use its large battery pack as the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimised load that maximises efficiency, extends the life of the battery and significantly reduces emissions.

The innovative DC grid architecture further enhances overall system performance by minimising energy losses and ensuring seamless power distribution. Additionally, offshore charging capabilities will enable simultaneous battery charging while maintaining DP for station-keeping, representing an industry first in the SOV market.

Gavin Forward, Bibby Marine’s new build director, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Corvus Energy on this pioneering eCSOV project, setting a new benchmark for sustainable offshore operations and driving the future of zero-emission vessel technology.”

He added that Bibby Marine selected Corvus Energy “for its proven track record of delivering complex vessel projects, while the LFP battery chemistry was chosen for its alignment with our eCSOV’s operational profile, offering enhanced safety, longevity and reliability for a project that promises to accelerate the path to net-zero for the maritime sector”.

Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027 supporting the commissioning and operation of UK offshore wind farms.