Safe at Sea ELECODRIVE
Environmentally friendly sea rescue: electric drive train replaced internal combustion engine
Innovative products meet new needs
When the alarm goes off, every second is vital, and all equipment must function perfectly. To quickly locate and reach people in distress, rescue organisations in many countries use small, fast rescue boats from SAFE AT SEA. Traditionally, combustion engines have been used, but together with ETP, the company has developed ELECODRIVE, a completely new electric and environmentally friendly powertrain that can replace the combustion engine in all of the company's rescue boats.
Since its inception in 2006, SAFE AT SEA has developed fast and safe rescue boats for various types of Search And Rescue (SAR) operations. A rapid response is critical. By combining high speed, flexibility and lower draught, the company's rescue vessels can navigate safely even in shallow and difficult-to-access waters.
Speed and reliability are key factors, says Kaj Lehtovaara, CEO of SAFE AT SEA in Gothenburg.
The weather is often unfavourable when our products are in use, so it is crucial that we reach the person in need quickly and efficiently. Given the task that needs to be performed, the availability of our boats must be extremely high. Focusing on safety and performance must not mean that environmental concerns come second, anything we can do to create a better climate is a step in the right direction.
Mr Kaj LehtovaaraVD, SAFE AT SEA
Major advantages and new challenges
When the new ELECODRIVE™ powertrain was being developed, the advantages of electric propulsion were obvious, and the requirements were drawn up in close collaboration with the Swedish Sea Rescue Society. In addition to improved environmental properties, electric propulsion creates a quiet ride, which is especially important in sensitive ecosystems. But the transition also brought several challenges, says Kaj. In addition, we had to deal with the risk of water and electric propulsion in combination with high voltages, which always carries a risk of short circuits or fire.
"We could already see the many technical challenges at the drawing board," says Kaj, "but to get real answers to our questions, we needed to quickly develop a first ELECORUNNER to test the concept solution."
![Rescuerunner Utbildning På Kärringön 061129 181 (1) (003)[40]](/media/exbacnc4/rescuerunner-utbildning-pa-ka-rringo-n-061129-181-1-003-40.jpg)
The need for the right skills
With a final specification for the ELECORUNNER boat model, work on the new powertrain needed to begin immediately.
We realised early on that we needed a partner who could function more like an integrated development department for us. Chalmers Industriteknik, which had been involved in the development of ELECORUNNER, put us in touch with ETP Kraftelektronik.
"It was fantastic to see ETP in action," says Kaj. "Right from our first meeting with ETP, we felt that we had found the right partner with the right expertise."
ETP built a specially adapted test facility for the new powertrain at the company's premises in Partille. The entire system was tested at the facility to ensure risk reduction and maximum performance. The agreed schedule was adhered to, and the first ELECORUNNER was launched on the specified date.
Joining forces for the future
The speed in the specifications was set at 25 knots, but already during the first test run, it reached nearly 35. Thanks to its rapid acceleration, the ELECORUNNER was able to plane immediately. The short time from start to planing was a surprise to everyone involved.
"We had high expectations for the first finished ELECORUNNER," says Kaj, "but when the product was in the water and we opened the throttle, we knew we had achieved our goal. Not only did it work, it performed far beyond our expectations."
New opportunities with high-voltage technology
"This marks a significant change not only for us, but above all for our customers," says Christer Sigurd, CEO of ETP. By expanding our technology area with high voltage thanks to the collaboration with Parker and HydX, we can offer solutions that meet the future need for higher power.
–With new expertise and strong partners in high-voltage technology, we are opening up new opportunities for our customers – and with even more power. This development enables them to adapt to the ongoing trend towards electrification, whether it be forestry machines, ferries or other applications. We are determined to guide them towards a future world that is both more electrified and sustainable.
Environmentally friendly sea rescue: electric drive train replaced internal combustion engine
Key components
Customer values
- Climate and environment
- Increased sales
- Knowledge transfer
- Time-to-market
Project partners
Rescue vessel
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