Beginning in 2020, Rolls-Royce will launch completely integrated and modular MTU hybrid marine propulsion systems for production yachts onto the market covering a power range of between 1,000 kW and 4,000 kW per powertrain. What is of interest to yacht owners is especially the significant increase in comfort levels resulting from silent, vibration-free and low-emission cruising. “With the aid of a modular system, we will make integrated hybrid propulsion systems available that are tailored to the customer’s specific requirements,” says Denise Kurtulus, Director Global Sales Marine at the Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit. The introduction of the first yacht built by British luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker International fitted with an MTU series production hybrid system is already scheduled in the near future.
The hybrid propulsion systems encompass MTU’s Series 2000 and 4000 internal combustion engines, electric propulsion models, transmission systems, batteries, monitoring and control systems and other electronic components. “Our customers receive integrated systems with an appropriate choice of propulsion involves the easy to operate,” says Denise Kurtulus. “This is something we are quite capable of doing as a result of decades of experience in system integration and with the aid of our Blue Vision New Generation Hybrid automation system,” Kurtulus adds.