Autonomous electric vessel to be trialled in Kiel, Germany

An electric-powered autonomous vessel will undergo a series of trials in the German city of Kiel as part of an initiative aimed at introducing an integrated inner city mobility network based on multiple modes of transport on water and land.

The Clean Autonomous Public Transport Network (CAPTN) initiative will utilise an electric testbed built by local shipyard Gebruder Friedrich. The vessel, which will be named Wavelab, is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2022.

Wavelab will serve as an open platform for research and development of the required technologies for a planned autonomous public transportation network on the Kiel Fjord. It will follow a modular concept, meaning that the vessel will be highly flexible to integrate new technology projects.

The test vessel will have a fully integrated electric propulsion system supplied by Torqeedo. The package will include dual 50kW steerable thrusters and six lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 240 kWh.

Four batteries will supply power for the 24V onboard grid. The system will be supported by by a 22kW fast charger, a DC/DC converter, and a DC/AC converter.