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Hybrid Drive for Commercial Ships and Yachts

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Auxilia (Hybrid Drive for Commercial Ships and Yachts)

Reporting period: 2017-05-01 to 2017-08-31

The shipping industry, like many other industries, is under great pressure to reduce its environmental impact while increasing fuel efficiency. In this context, RTN has developed Auxilia as an innovative universal, compact, plug and play hybrid drive system for commercial and pleasure vessels with diesel engines that can benefit from reduced fuel consumption and polluting emissions, much better maneuverability and comfort brought by the hybrid technology.
Auxilia is at a technology readiness level (TRL) 7 stage of development. The overall aim of the project is to take the technology to TRL9 and to market launch our solution in compliance with EU Directives and worldwide certifications for the marine industry for this kind of technology.
Work executed during the 4-month reporting period (May to August 2017) has been completed to cover the tasks below and assess the technical, commercial, and financial viability of Auxilia:
- Task 1. Market Introduction: to contact with shipyards, equipment manufacturers, ship owners/operators and commercial agents to confirm Auxilia interest as well as establish commercial negotiations with the partners for the Phase 2.
- Task 2. Technical Analysis: to confirm technical feasibility of the improvements to be made on the current system in order to reduce weight and cost and prepare the work plan draft for the Phase 2.
- Task 3. Market Analysis: for each of the market segments of the marine industry to define the Auxilia commercial strategy (penetration rate per country and segment) and a complete analysis of the current competing solutions.
- Task 4. Risk Analysis: to identify and analyse technical and commercial risks including a mitigation plan.
- Task 5. Business Plan: to validate the estimated sales price, costs and the investment to be made as well as obtain the main profitability indicators for the project.
Auxilia substantially saves fuel (ca 30%), allows fulfilling current and upcoming environmental regulations even in restricted areas, and significantly improves manoeuvrability (key factor for off-shore crafts, tug boats, long-liners, etc.) making noise and vibrations negligent.
Countries such as Italy, rest of Europe with emphasis in the North and Baltic Sea, North America and Asia will be our priority markets due to market size (top ranking in world fleet) and their need for reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport as well as promoting fuel economy.
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