Leading the way to hybrid diesel electric propulsion

The Sitka-based troller/ longliner Mirage, owned and operated by Jeff Turner, is slated to be the first boat in the ALFA to be outfitted with a diesel/electric hybrid system. Photo by Kempy Energetics

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. In 2021, the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA) initially received funding from the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnerships Project for modeling and analysis of alternative propulsion systems. Based on that work, the original plan—developed in conjunction with the National Research Energy Laboratory—was to put a Transfluid clutch, electric motor, and batteries on Eric Jordan’s troller, the I Gotta, but Jordan has withdrawn his vessel from the project for personal reasons but continues to lend financial support. After receiving $700,000 in additional funding from the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office and $500,000 from the Department of Energy, the new plan is to outfit Jeff Turner’s troller longliner, the Mirage. Go to this link to read the full article published by National Fisherman https://www.nationalfisherman.com/leading-the-way-to-hybrid-diesel-electric-propulsion