LAUNCH OF A NEW ERA: The first sea-going hybrid ferry in the world was launched from the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow last month. Picture: Marc Turner <\/p>\n
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Damien Henderson Transport Correspondent <\/p>\n
Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), which owns the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet of vessels, said new demand for overnight electricity generation will be created by berthing the world's first hybrid and hydrogen cell ferries on the islands. <\/p>\n
The first of two Clyde-built hybrid ferries, which are powered by a combination of two lithium-ion battery banks and diesel generators, is due to enter service this spring following a 20 million investment by the Scottish Government. <\/p>\n
CMAL is also carrying out a feasibility study into using hydrogen fuel cells created as a by-product of renewable energy generation to power zero emission ferries. <\/p>\n
Guy Platten, CMAL's chief executive, said he was hoping to secure Government funding for a further nine hybrid or hydrogen cell ferries over the next decade. <\/p>\n
This would ensure 11 of the 18 routes off the west coast of Scotland operated by smaller vessels in the CalMac fleet would use the green technology. <\/p>\n
As well as reducing the emissions from the ferries themselves, Mr Platten said they could be a game changer in making wind-farm developments more economically attractive on Scotland's islands. <\/p>\n
He said: \"It will create a market for green electricity which at the moment has no overnight demand. <\/p>\n
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Pioneering ferries boost for islands' wind farms<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LAUNCH OF A NEW ERA: The first sea-going hybrid ferry in the world was launched from the Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow last month. Picture: Marc Turner Custom byline text: Damien Henderson Transport Correspondent Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), which owns the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet of vessels, said new demand for overnight electricity generation will be created by berthing the world's first hybrid and hydrogen cell ferries on the islands. The first of two Clyde-built hybrid ferries, which are powered by a combination of two lithium-ion battery banks and diesel generators, is due to enter service this spring following a 20 million investment by the Scottish Government. Continue reading