[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n the occasion of the recent BOOT 2018, Adler Yacht has revealed full details on its ground-breaking propulsion and technology systems and confirmed that a second larger model is currently under construction.
The 76-foot semi-displacement flybridge, built with a Hybrid Marine Solutions (HMS) hybrid propulsion system, is also the first yacht in its category to be constructed from carbon fibre, and the hybrid yacht have been built through the collaboration of expert teams in the automotive, aviation and marine sectors.
Nuvolari-Lenard, one of the most prestigious superyacht design studio, created the interior and exterior of the Adler Suprema, offering pioneering propulsion and technology solutions.
Assisted by first-rate naval architecture, the Adler Suprema’s HMS (Hybrid Marine Solutions) hybrid propulsion system provides owners with optimal performance at a range of speeds and fuel efficiencies.
The HMS system consists of twin Caterpillar C18 1,150hp diesel engines, two ATE 100kW e-Units and a 170kW LiPo battery. The e-Units are used to control the system’s operations and transitions between propulsion modes. They comprise a combustion engine coupled to an electro-motor/generator combination.
Test results show that the yacht can offer fuel savings of up to 30-50% compared to standard diesel propulsion systems. At eight knots, the Suprema consumes just 12 litres of fuel per hour. Taking the speed up to 14 knots with hybrid propulsion, this figure is just above 100 litres an hour.
Seamless transitions between propulsion modes A unique feature of the Adler Suprema is the seamless transition between operational modes of the HMS hybrid propulsion system.
Philipp Pototschnik, CEO of Adler International, says:
“The ATE e-Units are custom-designed, high-efficiency asynchronised electric units that can work either as a motor or as a generator. They are installed on the shaft between the Caterpillar engines and the gearbox, separated by clutches. Thus, we can use the e-Units as very powerful generators for super fast charging while the propellers are not rotating. It takes less than an hour to fully recharge the hybrid batteries – at only about 23 liters of diesel. The design also allows the Caterpillar engines to work in twin diesel mode with the e-Units shut off, without loss of efficiency. What we are particularly proud of is that with this system, we can seamless switch between the propulsion sources: electric, twin diesel or hybrid.- even under full acceleration”.
The default propulsion mode of the yacht controls fully automatic whether it uses electric, hybrid or twin diesel propulsion. At the highest speeds available on the Adler, a power boost mode automatically kicks in, drawing on power from all available systems, to maximize the top speed by a further 1.5 knots.
Adler’s team, alongside Nuvolari- Lenard, designed a number of creature comforts into the Suprema’s specification, to ensure that guests receive an experience they would expect of a superyacht, but fitted into a smaller package. Under-floor heating has been fitted in the main salon and cabin heads, while cup coolers integrated into the cockpit’s armrests provide an unexpected luxury touch.
On the exterior, the stern’s swimming platform can be lowered into the water and the foredeck features a Jacuzzi. Private glass technology has been used to give a little extra privacy to the interior while in port, and the main salon has a 92-inch rolling AV screen integrated into the ceiling.
