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MARINE DESIGN ReVolt While investment in short-sea ship- ping generates plenty of debate and lit- tle action, particularly in the U.S., there are a plethora of innovative solutions globally that are geared to take traffi c from congested roads and move it to the more effi cient and environmentally be- nign waterways. Researchers at DNV GL have devel- oped ReVolt, a vessel that it touts as greener, smarter and safer than conven- tionally fuelled and operated vessels. Autonomous, fully battery powered and effi cient, ReVolt is a new shipping con- cept that offers a possible solution to the growing need for transport capacity. ReVolt is powered by a 3,000 kWh battery, reducing operating costs by minimizing the number of high main- tenance parts such as rotational com- ponents. The vessel has a range of 100 nautical miles before the battery needs to be charged. If the energy required for that is harnessed from renewable sourc- es, this would eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. Perhaps even more striking than its in- novative power system is the fact that ReVolt does not require a crew. With no crew there is no need for crew facilities, resulting in increased Design (R)Evolutions 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • OCTOBER 2014 While the maritime industry is widely labeled ‘conservative’ in its adoption of new technolo- gies to make operations more effi cient and cost effective, recent years have seen a decided up- tick in the level and sophistication of design, ex- ternal and internal, across the maritime spec- trum. Following are some recent revelations that could work their ways onto a waterway close to you in the near future. ReVolt The unmanned, bat- tery powered vessel ReVolt is envisioned by DNV GL to revo- lutionize short-sea shipping. (Image: DNV GL) MR #10 (26-33).indd 32 10/1/2014 9:42:45 AM
