Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy is launching what it claims as the first swappable containerised marine battery system, which the company believes could transform electrification across the commercial vessel market – removing many of the cost and engineering barriers that exist heralding a new era of electric ships.
AYK says it is already receiving orders for the battery while it progresses through the class approval process, having successfully completed the New Technology Qualification (TQ) stage. TQ provides a structured process for demonstrating that the technology is sufficiently mature before progressing to full class approval.
AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger said: “We are very proud to bring this innovation to the global marine market. A vast amount of engineering time and investment has gone into this. The AYK containerised battery will simplify installation, reduce engineering complexity, lower project costs and speed up implementation. The system also removes the need for a dedicated battery room which can be a highly complex engineering job and significant cost.”
Kruger believes that the system’s flexibility allows batteries to be swapped or permanently installed, depending on operational needs, and could eliminate much of the design work that has been needed for battery installations.
Kruger added: “The beauty is in the ease and flexibility of use. Our containerised batteries can be stacked onshore and charged off-site to be transported to ports when required. They can then be loaded onto vessels at speed and tailored to voyage energy requirements perhaps loading dozens of batteries at a time to meet short sea fully electric requirements in the EU for example to help meet ETS standards. It can further be used to deliver temporary hotel-load power while vessels are in port, reducing emissions, or operate as a swappable system that allows batteries to be exchanged between voyages. It can also be permanently installed for hybrid or fully electric vessels.”
The advanced marine battery system features eight independent levels of safety, with IP67 protection and A60 fire rating. AYK Energy is primarily targeting the ferry, Ro-Pax and passenger vessel market, although the new battery is also suitable for tugboats, feeder vessels, hybrid commercial craft and fully electric vessels, as well as workboats requiring battery power.
Kruger concluded: “We firmly believe our technology will remove the barriers to electrification, make battery technology easier to adopt, and as a result accelerate maritime decarbonisation. This is the future being delivered today. The system we have developed combines safety, flexibility and cost-effectiveness; which we believe are the three pillars that will support the accelerated electrification of the sector. This is yet another example of AYK Energy leading the global marine battery sector and underlines our commitment to help owners on that green journey, supporting them as they look to comply with future emissions regulations.”
AYK Energy claims a record of industry firsts, including pioneering safer LFP battery chemistry in the marine sector and the first marine certification for LFP batteries with DNV.
Image: Containerised swappable marine battery module (source: AYK Energy)
