Under the agreement, Calnetix will supply the Carefree Integrated Power Module (IPM) and other proprietary components, and Tokyo Boeki’s Energy Industries Division will manufacture the Hydrocurrent systems.
The product will be sold and supported by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery and Engine Company (MHI-MME) through its worldwide distribution channels.
Introduced in 2014, the Hydrocurrent system was developed jointly by Calnetix and MHI-MME. It uses an ORC heat recovery process and Calnetix’s patented turbo power conversion technology to convert thermal energy from jacket water in the ship’s engines into electric power.
The first commercial Hydrocurrent system was installed and commissioned in March, 2016 on a Maersk Line containership and has been in continuous service since.
“This manufacturing agreement with Tokyo Boeki is consistent with our corporate strategy of creating alliances with third-party partners to take our proprietary technologies to market,” said Vatche Artinian, Calnetix CEO. “Tokyo Boeki will be a valuable partner for Calnetix and MHI-MME to move the Hydrocurrent product into mass production and adoption in the global maritime industry.
“Establishing the manufacturing facility in Japan, close to MHI-MME and the major shipbuilding yards in East Asia, will also greatly facilitate market penetration.
“Tokyo Boeki’s manufacturing facility is well-managed and has all the capabilities needed to package mechanical and electrical controls. The company has the capability to build full systems from design, manufacture, assembly and testing through to installation,” he explained.
“We are very impressed by the Hydrocurrent heat recovery and power conversion technologies, and we look forward to working closely with Calnetix and MHI-MME to manufacture and commercialise the Hydrocurrent product in the global maritime industry,” said Hideshige Tsubouchi, President and COO of Tokyo Boeki Machinery.