Corvus Energy has supplied the battery system for the Crowley eWolf, the first fully electric ship assist harbor tugboat in the U.S.

The groundbreaking eWolf tug, designed by Crowley and built by Master Boat Builders for operation in the Port of San Diego in California, is powered by an integrated electrical propulsion system from ABB that incorporates a Corvus battery system. 

The eWolf is equipped with a Corvus Orca ESS, a marine energy storage system used on board more than 700 maritime vessels around the world. The eWolf is outfitted with a 6.2-MWh Corvus Orca system and is capable of operating daily at full capacity using battery power alone. Battery-powered operations require zero fuel and produce zero emissions, resulting in significant environmental and fuel-saving benefits.

Crowley anticipates the tug will generate 178 tons less of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 2.5 tons less of diesel particulate matter and 3,100 metric tons less of carbon dioxide over the first 10 years of its operations: the equivalent of removing 350,000 gallons of gas from use, according to EPA calculations. 

To optimize battery performance over the lifetime of the system, cloud-based technology is used to continuously monitor ESS function and provide critical performance insights through the Corvus Energy Vessel Information Portal.  The online monitoring tool uses big data, machine learning and algorithms to support predictive maintenance, optimized system use and proactive troubleshooting.

Worldwide, tugboats were among the first maritime vessels to adopt battery technology due to their nearshore operations and ability to recharge regularly.

In the U.S., the Crowley eWolf and Port of San Diego are leading the way. Several other ports are currently pursuing federal funding to invest in fully electric tugs under the U.S. Green Ports Program.

Learn more here.