Corvus Energy is to supply a 25 MWh battery system for the world’s first fully-electric offshore sea vessel, writes Nick Flaherty.

The vessel is an electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by Armon shipyard in Spain for UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine.

Corvus Energy will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with 25 MWh of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

This is the largest LFP system ever delivered to a maritime project, as the eCSOV has to travel out to wind turbines to provide maintenance over several days.

Corvus Energy has been working closely with Bibby and Armon on the size and optimisation of the system.

The battery pack is the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimised load that maximises efficiency and extends battery life.

The DC grid architecture in the vessel reduces energy losses and allows for simultaneous battery charging while maintaining dynamic positioning (DP) for station-keeping close to the turbines. This is a first for a service operation vessel (SOV).

“A fully-electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working towards for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations,” said Pål-Ove Husøy, vice-president of sales at Corvus Energy.

“This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully-electric for a full day and it will set a new standard for future offshore vessels.”

Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027, supporting the commissioning and operation of windfarms.