S. Himmelstein | April 08, 2024
Walk, drive, bus, rail — these are all modes commonly used by commuters to get to and from their places of employment. A different option will soon be available to staff and contractors servicing the largest hydroelectric power plant in New Zealand.
A Swedish-made Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry will provide daily transport to the Manapouri Power Station across Lake Manapouri. Meridian Energy, operator of the hydropower station, has entered into an agreement with Candela to provide the P-12 and will be the first customer outside Europe to take delivery of the electric shuttle ferry. Its deployment is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 240 tons, equivalent to taking 52 gasoline-powered cars off the road.
The Candela P-12 is expected to begin operating on Lake Manapouri in 2025. Source: Candela
Flying on computer-guided hydrofoils, the P-12’s hull rises above the water at high speed, which reduces energy consumption by 80% when compared to traditional vessels and allows for long-range and high-speed travel using battery power only. The craft minimizes environmental disruption to the shoreline and indigenous species by creating a wake less than 15 cm high.
Passenger comfort is assured by use of a computer-controlled stabilization system to prevent the pitching and rolling motions commonly encountered in other ships. This flight controller uses sensors to measure the wave height in front of the vessel, and then adjusts the hydrofoils’ angle of attack 100 times per second to provide a smooth ride.
The Candela P-12 is expected to begin operating on Lake Manapouri in 2025. A P-12 vessel is also expected to join the public transport system in Stockholm, Sweden, by 2024 to ferry citizens between the island suburb of Ekerö and the city center.
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