In Switzerland, passenger transport on lakes is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. LNM Navigation SA has been studying for several years the implementation of ecological and competitive alternatives for potential regular services on Lake Neuchâtel. Within this study, a conventional electric vessel will be compared with an electric foil vessel. The study aims to identify the favorable conditions for the different vessel types, to assess the economic and environmental viability of their operation, and to investigate the specifications and preliminary design of a foil vessel, should it prove promising for use on Lake Neuchâtel.
Overall objective: To determine the electric vessel, with or without foils, that is best suited to satisfy the demand of passenger transport on Lake Neuchâtel, to identify the conditions under which a foil vessel is more advantageous from both an economic and environmental perspective, and to design such a vessel.
Objectives of Phase 1 (feasibility):
- Identify passenger transport needs on Lake Neuchâtel
- Characterize electric vessels with and without foils capable of meeting these needs (capacity, technical pre-dimensioning, energy consumption, certification process and costs)
- Define and assess an operational concept on Lake Neuchâtel from an economic (preliminary TCO) and an environmental perspective (LCA screening)
- Analyze the conditions under which each vessel type is most advantageous
After Phase 1: GO / NO GO decision for Phase 2
NB: Phase 2 may be adapted depending on the results of Phase 1.
Objectives of Phase 2 (hydrofoil vessel study):
- Develop the specifications and perform the dimensioning of the foil vessel, integrating the (certification) requirements identified in Phase 1
- Refine the energy consumption model developed in Phase 1 through trials conducted with the MBFY-S foil vessel
- Carry out a full life cycle assessment (LCA) of the hydrofoil vessel
- Refine the operational concept for the hydrofoil vessel on Lake Neuchâtel
- Draw conclusions relevant to public transportation across all of Switzerland
Project holder: MobyFly