Scottish company Coastal Workboats is to collaborate with Dutch energy storage system suplier EST-Floattech to provide the battery system for the purpose-built Electric-Landing Utility Vessel (E-LUV) and its Shore-based Power Supply System (SPSS).
The collaboration with Coastal Workboats Scotland marks a significant step towards lowering emissions in the UK’s maritime industry with EST-Floattech technology. The project has received a £6m (€7m) grant to demonstrate the UK’s first commercial electric workboat and charging station. This grant, provided by the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), underscores the industry’s recognition of the pressing need for cleaner, greener maritime operations and is expected to boost the usage of electric workboats in a commercial environment.
The E-LUV is set to be the UK’s first commercial electric workboat. This ro-ro and dry cargo transportation ferry will be equipped with 2400 kWh of EST-Floattech’s Octopus High Energy battery system. The system will be placed as two independent battery systems on board to power a range of equipment and be used for fully electric sailing. Starting for demonstration purposes in the Shetland Isles in a short trial, the E-LUV will be operating between West Burrafirth and Papa Stour. The route takes about 45 minutes, twice per day and five days per week, showcasing the capabilities of energy storage solutions in maritime applications.
EST-Floattech will supply 1.200kWh of the Octopus High Energy battery system, to be placed in a 20ft container that will support the charging of Coastal Workboats’ E-LUV vessel. It is also possible to place the containerised energy storage solution on board as a range extender. System integration will be by MJR Power & Automation and the entire system will be placed inside the container by Renew Marine.
The E-LUV will adhere to Bureau Veritas classification standards. The battery system will be both safer and need less maintenance. The contract is a significant achievement for Coastal Workboats and for EST-Floattech.
Coastal Workboats’ Chief Engineering Manager Luke Parnell said: “Our attraction to the Octopus Series quite simply comes down to safety. EST-Floattech have produced a class-approved product that brings to market a level of safety unseen previously. In particular, the passive nature of the heat dissipation system represents a marked step forward in safety, particularly for an application in the marine environment. Given our primary concern is safety above all, the Octopus was the perfect choice for us.”
Jelle Meindertsma, Sales Manager EST-Floattech, said: “We are proud to be contributing to lowering emissions in the maritime industry in the UK, working hand in hand with Coastal Workboats to bring sustainable, high-performance energy solutions to the forefront. Our collaboration on the E-LUV is a testament to our shared commitment towards a more environmentally responsible maritime future.”
This project, the fully electric inter-island workboat demonstration project (including the E-LUV), is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3), funded by UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
Image: E-LUV Electric Workboat (source: EST-Floattech)
