This launch is an important milestone in this lighthouse project in the NIP 2 – program “e4ships” of the BMVI with support from NOW, PTJ and the state of Berlin.
Essential things have been implemented to the point of floatability. The hull is finished, the elevating wheelhouse is in place, the air-conditioning system with the associated heat the fuel cells are on deck, the control room has been set up and the battery room is equipped with approx. 250 modules weighing more than 20 tons.
Most of this work has been carried out in confined spaces and under difficult conditions. One of the biggest challenges so far has also been the cabling of the electrical components, the power generators and consumers, and the monitoring and control technology. From thin data lines to power lines as thick as an arm, almost 2 km of cable were laid across the entire ship which is also a completely new dimension to conventional ships.
The ELEKTRA is afloat and is now being further equipped and fitted out at the quay of the shipyard.
Construction work continues in the wheelhouse and the control station is also being installed here. And the hydrogen tank system to supply the fuel cells is still missing. In June, the commissioning of the individual systems and the entire energy system at the shipyard. The inspections and acceptance tests by experts, and the inspection commission of the Waterways and Shipping Administration will conclude the complete the construction and commissioning process.
If everything goes according to plan, the “ELEKTRA” can be transferred to its home port of Berlin Westhafen at the end of August. Here in Berlin, the voyages will then take place in different pushed train configurations.The final ship’s certificate or the joint certificate can be issued and the testing of the test carrier can begin.
With a total project volume of approx. 13 million €, the project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) with approx. 8 million € and coordinated by Project Management Jülich (PTJ) and the National Organization for Hydrogen and and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW).
