A co-operation has been launched to speed up the introduction of fossil-free electric ferries
Swedish companies Vattenfall’s and Echandia Marine’s ‘Power-as-a-Service’ co-operation and concept is being rolled out in Sweden, with plans for expanding into the rest of Europe.
A statement said that Power-as-a-Service will overcome the challenges of adopting new technologies and facilitate their introduction by reducing risks and cost to the end user. Echandia will provide the battery system, while Vattenfall, with its extensive experience in owning and maintaining electric power plants, will own and manage all electrical equipment onshore and onboard, including charging station, battery system, Echandia E-LTO battery system and drivetrain.
"It is very important that we show this concept works in reality. Power-as-a-Service gives Vattenfall responsibility for what we know best; the drivetrain, batteries and electrification, both on board and onshore. If we can apply this concept to larger vessels as well that will take us further towards our goal – a fossil-free world,” said Vattenfall chief executive Magnus Hall.
Echandia said it started out as a systems integrator and has recently found its niche developing powerful LTO battery systems for heavy-duty applications using advanced cell technology from Japanese industrial giant Toshiba. The company is responsible for both the world’s first supercharged electric ferry, Movitz, which operates in central Stockholm and the world’s fastest electric ferry, BB Green. The company recently won a tender to supply Arriva Denmark with batteries for seven commuter ferries to be delivered by Damen shipyards.
Echandia chief executive Magnus Eriksson said “The Vattenfall-Echandia collaboration will allow our technology to reach more customers, more quickly. As our battery allows for super-fast charging, the availability of high current shore-supplies becomes increasingly important. Vattenfall’s charging station concept is very positive for the possibility of moving from fossil to fossil-free sea transport.”
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.