The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) in the UK is seeking solutions for innovations in hybrid powertrain technology that could power Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and reduce carbon emissions.
In November 2021, DASA launched a market exploration process, ‘Hybridisation of the Naval Fleet,’ the aim of which is to identify hybrid powertrain technology.
The market exploration process is being run on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence Naval Ships Support Central Engineering Team and seeks hybrid powertrain technologies to explore options that will implemented by 2030. The objective is to contribute to the defence environmental sustainability strategy and to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. Proposals submitted to the market exploration should be at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 5-9.
DASA believe that hybrid powertrain solutions could reduce emissions from Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships by 20-40% by 2030. “We want to understand the hybrid powertrain market for ships that meet the capability requirements for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), as solutions will be retrofitted to ships,” said DASA.
“We are seeking solutions per vessel, based around electrification, AC as well as DC, and electrical storage. Solutions will be able to be retrofitted to current vessels and will not have a negative impact on their individual operational capability. Preferable solutions will be weight saving or neutral.”
Solutions will need to be suitable for vessels with a mass of 65,000tonnes at a speed of no less than 25knots; a mass of 6,900tonnes at a minimum of 26knots; and a mass of 7,350tonnes at a minimum speed requirement of 32knots.
Responses to the Market Exploration must be submitted via the DASA submission service. Submissions must be submitted by midday (GMT) on 27 January 2022.
