Discovering serial hybrid propulsion with Wider

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Wider is an Italian shipyard, a pioneer in the application of serial hybrid propulsion systems on luxury yachts. Thanks to its avant-garde approach, Wider has always been committed to constant innovation: Wider yachts are designed and built with a strong focus on efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, noise, and vibration, while also preserving the importance of design and quality materials. Founded in 2010, the shipyard is now led by Marcello Maggi, owner of W-Fin Sarl, the holding company that owns 100% of Wider's capital. Wider is one of the most innovative shipyards in the world, led by a management team committed to growing as a company by constantly challenging the status quo and challenging unsustainable and unrealistic ways of designing yachts.

In 2022, Wider began construction of the new WiderCat 92, the Marche-based shipyard's first catamaran, and the superyacht Moonflower 72, the latter at the Wider Superyacht Hub in Venice. Both are equipped with Wider's innovative serial hybrid propulsion system.

The Moonflower 72, designed by Nauta Design in collaboration with the Wider Style Centre, is also equipped with two variable speed generators of 1860kW each, supplied by MAN Energy Solutions, and a nickel-sodium battery bank of approximately 1MW from FZSoNick.

WiderCat 92, designed by Luca Dini Design & Architecture, uses the best components for the application of the system on a multihull, exploiting the creation of electrical energy both through generators and solar panels.

Wider serial hybrid propulsion

Efficient, quiet, reliable, eco-friendly, and flexible. A new vision in the world of yachting. Wider was the first in the world to apply hybrid propulsion technology to the custom superyacht segment. And it has always believed in the development of the serial hybrid system, which is now also being used in catamarans.

In the traditional diesel-electric system, electric propulsion offered a simple alternative to diesel propulsion. However, this solution did not allow for short journeys or even short periods of anchoring without producing any emissions.

Wider's innovative serial hybrid architecture guarantees a completely modular and highly flexible system, designed to be constantly updated with components aligned with the most innovative technology of the moment.

The heart of the Wider serial hybrid system is a DC-Bus, an energy hub that connects and manages the various components: generators, batteries, electric propulsion, thrusters, hotel utilities, and solar panels. The incoming energy flow, generated by the diesel generators or solar panels, is managed by Wider's Power Management System, accessible from the dashboard and featuring an extremely user-friendly, gaming-inspired interface. Energy is directed to the devices that require it, with the lowest power/consumption ratio, or, if in surplus, is stored in the onboard batteries.

Batteries (LiFePo – Lithium Iron Phosphate – instead of traditional lithium batteries) are at the heart of the serial hybrid propulsion system. A battery management system constantly monitors temperature, current, charge level, voltage, and other physical parameters. These smart boards communicate with each other to balance the charge produced and thus optimize performance.

Generators operate only when necessary and at the minimum power/consumption ratio.

Wider technology offers up to 10 hours of zero-emission cruising and up to 30 hours of use of all hotel systems and services. Furthermore, by producing all the power needed at any given time, the engines are less stressed and, consequently, maintenance intervals are longer than those of traditional yachts.

Zero vibration and noise reduction

By eliminating fixed components, the Wider hybrid propulsion system eliminates the main cause of noise and vibration, offering a truly comfortable boating experience.

Conventional yachts travel at a fixed speed while a Wider yacht can reduce revs according to the power needs of the moment, further increasing comfort on board.

Optimized space and customized installations

The lack of mechanical connection between the engines and propulsion units creates more space for living spaces and allows for greater design flexibility.

A customized energy management strategy can be set to meet the owner's specific wishes, whether it's noise reduction, high performance, or zero emissions.

AI

The Power Management System automatically learns the habits of the owner, guests and crew to provide the exact amount of energy needed at any time of the day.

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