Volvo Penta’s ‘future-proof’ superyacht drive gains smart stop-start system

The new system, teased last year but now in what appears to be full production trim, was announced at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The show is gaining momentum as an important date on the marine industry calendar for revealing new technologies aimed at making life on the water much easier.

Volvo Penta used CES 2024 to announce the new IPS Professional Platform would deliver superyachts stretching between 25.0 and 55.0 metres in length with up to a 30 percent fuel saving.

It will do this by combining biofuel-friendly combustion engines with electric motors and “Eco Mode”, the name given to intelligent software that can assess the load spread across multiple engines and shut down the ones that aren’t needed – according to the group, half of a superyacht’s engines are only needed 50 percent of the time. 

If power needs change, the Volvo Penta system can fire engines back up to deliver the performance needed.

The platform was developed so that a superyacht could use up to four hybrid drive systems combining a traditional internal combustion engine running on renewable fuels combined with an electric motor, allowing the vessel to run on traditional fuel, electricity, or a hybrid combination of the two. 

Superyacht owners also have the option of bypassing the conventional drivetrain and using full electric power if they choose to go down that path.

Using the Volvo Penta platform allows the marine engine group to integrate its autonomous features into the motor yacht’s system, including Assisted Docking, Dynamic Positioning and its Glass Cockpit helm system. According to Volvo Penta, the Glass cockpit system will be configured so that it will “ease manual operation and semi-automated features for every level of operator”.

Johan Inden, the president of Volvo Penta Marine, said the group was focused on delivering sustainable solutions that create an exceptional experience for customers.

“Building on the success of the legendary Volvo Penta IPS system, this new Professional Platform will also provide new options for energy efficiency and aid in efforts to achieve decarbonization at sea in marine industries,” Inden said. 

“We see this as a major step towards decarbonisation in superyachts and commercial vessels between 25-55 metres.”

Volvo Penta has also trialled hybrid systems in smaller recreational boats, fitting a Jeanneau NC 37 sedan with a pair of Volvo Penta D4-320 DPI Aquamatic 2.7-litre in-line four-cylinder diesel engines with electric drive units as a proof-of-concept for the technology.

The test boat has its electric power system connected with Volvo Penta's joystick system, meaning the boat operates almost silently as owners bump in and out of a marina.