Officials gathered at the Sequim, Wash. campus of the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on Sept. 5 to dedicate DOE’s first hybrid-electric research vessel, the r/v Resilience, built by Seattle-based Snow & Co.
The vessel is a plug-in hybrid that operates on electric power on lower speeds, as well as traveling 20 knots on diesel power.
The dedication ceremony marked the beginning of a new era of marine energy research at PNNL-Sequim, part of the DOE’s Office of Science national laboratory system and Resilience’s new home port. Speakers at the dedication included U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and Washington State Rep. Steve Tharinger.
The Resilience can operate on diesel engines or in a completely electric mode using onboard battery banks. The batteries can be charged with the diesel engines, at any marina or through a rapid charging station at the PNNL-Sequim dock.
“This hybrid vessel is a huge step for the blue economy and marks the start of a new generation of technology, enabling a future of research and testing a renewable power from the ocean itself,” Snow & Co. said in a statement.
“This hybrid represents great advancements in the effort to decarbonize marine transportation,” the company added.
The vessel’s construction was made possible with support from DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and its Water Power Technologies Office. The Resilience is managed and operated by researchers at PNNL-Sequim, a regional hub for marine energy research, development and testing.
“The r/v Resilience enables us (at the DOE) to accelerate the development and deployment of novel marine energy technologies from testing at the bench scale to early demonstration under real ocean operating conditions,” Geri Richmond, DOE’s undersecretary for science and innovation, said. “Demand for these technologies is likely to increase in the coming years, unlocking opportunities for ocean science and maritime industries equipped to explore new applications for marine energy research that will help power the blue economy.”
The 50-foot research vessel allows researchers to transport and install large equipment in Sequim Bay, such as demonstration-scale marine energy devices that help accelerate marine energy testing and support new partnerships with industry developers.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the hybrid-electric vessel is nearly silent when operated in fully electric mode, according to Snow & Co. and the PNNL, thereby minimizing noise pollution for marine wildlife and enabling more sensitive acoustic measurements during research operations.
The Resilience is the part of a series of investments planned to grow PNNL’s capabilities in marine technology research to continue advancing renewable energy, climate resilience and national security.
Other planned investments include a pre-permitted marine testing site, an underwater cabled array connecting at-sea devices to shore facilities and an onshore microgrid and battery storage system.
“Resilience represents DOE’s and PNNL’s commitment to demonstrating how innovative approaches, like the design and construction of this unique hybrid vessel, can advance the nation’s quest for clean energy,” Laboratory Director Steve Ashby said.