Exploring the Path to Electrifying Halifax Ferries with BlueGrid

When you hear that the Halifax Regional Municipality has big plans for a net-zero transit fleet by 2030, you might think of electric buses. And while buses are a key component, Halifax is also exploring options for reducing emissions from its iconic Halifax-Dartmouth ferries.

Grant award: $48,250

As part of this exploration, BlueGrid, a Halifax-based company specializing in marine electrification and energy storage, collaborated with Halifax Transit to collect and analyze the Viola Desmond ferry’s energy usage and emissions. This partnership aims to provide critical insights into the ferry’s operational profile, helping Halifax Transit determine the feasibility and optimal approach to electrifying the ferry fleet.

Using its proprietary technology, BlueGrid analyzed the Viola Desmond ferry’s energy consumption, tracking fuel usage, speeds, and voyage patterns in high detail. Andrew Boswell, CEO of BlueGrid, explained: “This is exactly the information Halifax Transit needs [if they pursue electrification] so they can make the right decisions about how big the electric motors need to be, how big the batteries need to be, the chargers that need to be on shore, and what they need to tell Nova Scotia Power.”

Data collection began in spring and summer 2024, focusing on understanding the ferry’s energy and emissions profiles during peak operational months. Preliminary findings identified operational efficiencies that could reduce emissions and costs even without transitioning to electric propulsion. BlueGrid hopes to continue the study into the winter months to assess seasonal impacts on the ferry’s energy usage and emissions.

Sample image showing three days of data from the HFX Ferry serving both Halifax terminals.

Beyond the Halifax ferries, BlueGrid’s work in electric marine transportation extends to scaling its proprietary technology to assess the energy usage of other vessels and exploring innovative applications such as vessel-to-grid systems. Earlier in 2024, the company demonstrated the world’s first vessel-to-grid connection, showcasing how electric marine vessels can not only operate more sustainably but also serve as energy storage solutions for a low-carbon grid.

By gathering data and building a strong foundation for understanding ferry operations, BlueGrid is helping Halifax Transit explore the potential for clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation on its waterways. This collaborative effort reflects a commitment to informed decision-making as Halifax moves toward its net-zero goals.