Torqeedo teams up with WhisperPower, Sentinel Boat Monitors

Torqeedo has announced a new 25 kW range extender for its Deep Blue system, optimized for commercial operations and applications which require extended motoring, developed in cooperation with WhisperPower.

The 350V DC converter generator boasts a Mitsubishi S4Q2 four-cylinder diesel engine with crankshaft starting.

The range extender’s variable frequency operation eliminates the fixed ratio between power, voltage output, and rotational speed. It produces all required combinations of power and voltage on demand.

These power electronics also allow the engine to run at its most efficient operating point, minimizing fuel consumption, noise, vibration and exhaust. The range extender consumes only 25g of fuel per kWh of electricity produced and generates very little noise: just 54 db(A) at 7 meters distance.

When integrated into Deep Blue Hybrid, the system harvests renewable energy from solar panels and hydrogeneration to charge the high-capacity batteries, manufactured by BMW i.

The Deep Blue electric motors are silently powered from these sustainable sources. When long-range motoring is required, the generator is controlled automatically by the Advanced Hybrid Control System and ensures worry-free backup power.

“Torqeedo is pleased to enter into this alliance with WhisperPower. The product synergy is perfect,” said Christoph Ballin, co-founder and CEO of Torqeedo.

Roel ter Heide, founder and CEO of WhisperPower, said he is proud the partnership is a done deal.

“We have known each other for many years, in fact both companies have more or less the same age. We have a great deal of respect looking at the achievements of Torqeedo, from starting as a pioneer in this field to becoming market leader now,” he said.

“As electric propulsion systems become more powerful, a backup or auxiliary power system is becoming more and more relevant. This is WhisperPower’s core business: smart power generation systems, our so-called Genverters, are based on low-emission, compact diesel engines which we manufacture from 4 kW to 150 kW,” he continued. “As WhisperPower does not intend to go beyond power generation and conversion, Torqeedo is now offering a great opportunity as a customer excelling in green propulsion systems. A perfect match I would say.”

Torqeedo also announced that their Cruise, Travel and UItralight motor families are now fully integrated with Sentinel Boat Monitors.

Sentinel systems allow owners to remotely monitor a vessel’s location and signals an alert if critical internal systems need attention.

The Boat Monitor logs all trips and alerts the owner if the boat leaves its geofence area, whether due to a failed mooring or theft.

GPS-tracking ensures quick location and recovery. Motor and battery information is clearly displayed in the app, including state of charge, voltage, temperature and remaining range.

“The Boat Monitor device with the Sentinel app makes it simple to understand what is going on with your boat at all times, whether you are a charterer with a large fleet or an individual boat owner.” said Marko Pihlar, co-founder and CEO of Sentinel Marine Solutions.

For commercial or rental vessels, Sentinel’s Boat Monitor system offers full-fleet or individual boat tracking and monitoring via a convenient mobile or web app. It monitors number of guests, remaining range and state of charge, calculates the distance from home for each boat, and alerts upon each vessel’s arrival.

“As cities continue to house an increasing share of our population worldwide, municipalities are investigating new ways to improve quality of life for their communities. One way to do this is to shift commuter traffic from congested roadways to waterways but marine combustion engines emit very high levels of dangerous pollution,” Ballin said. “Electric water taxis and ferries eliminate this negative impact. Integrating Torqeedo systems with fully-featured remote fleet management solutions like Sentinel is crucial to the further development of this market.”