The DF was proud to join the MHE Foundation in supporting the 2024 sustainability study mission to Sweden. The delegation was comprised of some 20 government officials and industry specialists from the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland. The mission’s objective was to learn about sustainable development, sustainable waste management, electric surface transit and electric passenger ferry systems from Sweden, a global leader in those fields.
The mission was widely reported on in the press and was covered in daily detail by Capital Gazette journalist Natalie Jones, who joined us on the tour. For Anne Arundel Steuart Pittman’s perspective from a high-speed train between Stockholm and Gothenburg, see here.
A passenger ferry system for the Chesapeake?
The delegation visited Krossholmen (the Volvo Penta testing facility in Gothenburg), numerous electric and conventional ferries, and the Candela factory in Stockholm. These visits were of key importance to our region’s ongoing investigation of a possible ferry system for the Chesapeake Bay. And fascinating!
Candela’s dynamic hydrofoiling technology is simply amazing. Traditionally, boats are ill-suited for electric propulsion; the power-to-weight ratio of electric propulsion (with its heavy batteries and limited range) is fine for low-friction vehicles like cars or trains — but not for high-friction vessels like boats. Even on a plane, electric boats struggle can either go fast or far, but not both. The long distances on the Chesapeake present a challenge for electric boats.
Unless they’re not boats! Hydrofoiling completely elevates the hull out of the water, eliminating all hull friction. This completely changes the power-to-weight calculus, making fast, long-distance electric passenger ferries a possibility. Better yes, hydrofoiling vessels are essentially wakeless, meaning drastically reduced shore-erosion problems and faster speeds possible in traditional no-wake zones (like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor).
And the ride on a ferry like this is rock-solid, even in choppy conditions. Candela’s dynamic hydrofoiling counteracts external wave forces in much the same way that a drone counteracts wind. Just as a drone flies smoothly or hovers while buffeted with wind, the hydrofoils dynamically counteract wave motion, making it possible to keep the vessel up on its hydroplane even in choppy conditions.
Another illuminating ferry experience was our visit to the Copenhagen Harbour Buses:
Referred to in Copenhagen simply as “The Bus,” this is an all-electric system of 6-7 spacious passenger (and bicycle) ferries that service the few miles of Copenhagen’s harborfront seven days a week. They mostly charge overnight, but there are recharge facilities at various stops for them to top up as needed.
Sweden imports trash
You’d be forgiven for thinking that riding on a flying ferry was the coolest thing we did in Sweden. Nope! The general consensus in the delegation was that the single most amazing factoid we encountered was that Sweden imports trash.
That’s right! Sweden has developed trash incineration technology that’s so clean and so efficient that it burns much not only of its own refuse, but imports that of its neighbors. Trash is burned at a substantial profit, both eliminating a waste stream and generating electricity. We should be doing this in Maryland!
Waste incineration was discouraged or banned in the EU and US decades ago, because of its obvious air pollution problems. But Sweden has improved carbon capture systems (CCS) to such a point that today, waste management, instead of being a drain on public resources, can be a source of clean energy. This is a perfect example of why free, rational thought and the constant pursuit of scientific progress is so important. As is learning from and being grateful for folks who have something to teach you — rather than being jealous or dismissive. A couple of ostriches back home complained, about our mission, that “Maryland isn’t Sweden.” There are clearly some ways in which it should be!
The Denker Foundation 