A project partially financed by the EU is working on
developing the next steps in the electrification of shipping focusing on the
power banks for ports. Among the techniques that the project is investigating
is how used batteries from the transport sector can be reused to create energy
storage in ports.
Being undertaken by European ferry operator Stena, they are
looking at the development of a new type of energy storage, similar to large
power banks, which they say will be essential for the charging of electric
ferries. Stena is looking at the technology both as a means of powering a
future generation of electric ferries as well as an alternative source for
shoreside power. Stena believes it will be possible to develop a solution to use
recycled batteries creating in effect charging stations at ports.
“This is an important milestone in the electrification of
shipping. Our future project, Stena Elektra – a fully electric ferry – is
already on the drawing board. In order to succeed, we need to solve the issue
of how to quickly charge a ferry. Energy storage at ports using recycled
batteries, is a very interesting and sustainable alternative for the future,”
says Per Wimby, project manager for electrification at Stena Teknik.
The project will map and evaluate opportunities to reuse
lithium-ion batteries from the transport and automotive industry for energy
storage in ports. Among the applications would be charging electric ferries as
well as another technology to reduce emissions through an alternative to the
current cold ironing technology.
“An incredible amount is happening in the world of
batteries. New solutions are being designed to meet the charging requirements
of the transport sector of the future, especially for shipping where vessels
are starting to switch to electric power. Rapidly charging a large ferry, for
example, requires a huge amount of energy in a short time and it’s not certain
that the electricity grid will be able to deliver it. Local energy stores at
ports could offer a great solution to this problem”, says Rasmus Bergström,
Managing Director of Batteryloo, a subsidiary of the Stena Recycling Group.
The collaboration includes several Stena companies,
Batteryloop, Stena Recycling, Stena Rederi, and Stena Line, as well as
involving the ports of Gothenburg and Kiel. DNV GL will provide energy advisory
services in the project.. The project will be carried out over two years and be
part-financed by INEA, the EU’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.
“One thing is sure, batteries are here to stay. In order to
conserve natural resources and make battery recycling sustainable, we need to
do everything we can to use batteries for as long as possible. Our conclusion
is that many batteries can have a second life as energy storage. If we can find
solutions that will scale-up and work in ports, we’ll have a win-win situation
in many ways,” says Bergström.