I want to change how boats move throught the water; marine pulpultion moving boats throught water with renewalbe energy like wind and solar
Large ‘Tesla ships’ all-electric container barges are launching this autumn
– Jan. 12th 2018 12:05 pm ET
The Dutch company Port-Liner is building two giant all-electric barges dubbed the ‘Tesla ships‘. The company announced that the vessels will be ready by this autumn and will be inaugurated by sailing the Wilhelmina canal in the Netherlands.
The 100 million-euro project supported by a €7m subsidy from the European Union is expected to have a significant impact on local transport between the ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.
Chief executive of Port-Liner Ton van Meegen told The Loadstar:
“There are some 7,300 inland vessels across Europe and more than 5,000 of those are owned by entrepreneurs in Belgium and the Netherlands. We can build upwards of 500 a year, but at that rate it would take some 50 years to get the industry operating on green energy.”
The battery-powered barges – pictured above – are capable of carrying 280 containers.
Get interesting electric vehicle and renewable energy investment ideas with Zalkon
The first 6 barges are expected to remove 23,000 trucks from the roads annually in the Netherlands and replace them with zero-emission transport.
Port-Liner is developing its own vessels, but they developed a battery pack technology that houses the batteries inside a container.
Meegen says that it could allow them to retrofit existing barges:
“This allows us to retrofit barges already in operation, which is a big boost for the industry’s green energy credentials.The containers are charged onshore by carbon-free energy provider Eneco, which sources solar power, windmills and renewables.”
The first vessels will complete their maiden voyage later this year.
Electrek’s Take
As we have often discussed in the past, all modes of transportation are gradually being converted to electric propulsion and that includes maritime transport.
It’s also an important mode of transportation to convert since it produces a lot of pollution. Some of the world’s largest cargo ships emit pollution comparable to millions of passenger cars put together.
I think it’s an exciting time on that front because we have seen several major projects like this one in the past few months. A new all-electric cargo ship with a massive 2.4 MWh battery pack in China and two massive all-electric ferries in Sweden and Denmark come to mind.
Battery pack inside a container is a great idea. A battery swap but on a vessel designed for swapping cargo. A perfect fit. the ability to retrofit older vessels is a big plus!
One of the issues is eliminating the need for peak loads on the local grid when recharging. Container battery swap helps solve this. One container battery is always just sitting there slow charging while the other is in use, leveling the load. The same crane infrastructure that moves containers can swap the batteries. Obviously the batteries are easy to manufacture anywhere and ship anywhere.
We swap the container with batteries for the near future, when there willbe another energy source as Hydrogen for example we can swap from batteries to Hydrogen. The hardware of the ship wil stay the same. Greetings
Ton van Meegen
Portliner
ton@vanmeegen.com
yes, but horrible efficiency (30%)
Battery electric has upward of 90% efficiency
While energy inefficient, it is economically efficient, i.e., cheaper than the alternatives. Even from an energy view, the Icelanders are conserving (30%) of the geo-thermal energy that might otherwise go to waist. One supposes that when and where batteries are a more efficient way to store and distribute the energy that they capture, the Icelanders will use them. Icelanders as a nation understand economics, perhaps better than non-island nations. Efficiency of a method depends in large part upon the application and the environment.
I never see solar panels on these transport ships…panels on both sides could catch East West sunbeams….they could be used to charge a smaller battery pack on ship for crew and operation needs… And on top! A solar module could be specially designed to attach onto a container. It could be flat, if necessary, to avoid wind issues.
Quick Wikipedia reference:” Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting of an electric motor or engine turning a propeller, or less frequently, in pump-jets, an impeller. “
Why wouldn’t they be solar charged and powered continuously with the e battery backup?
Only viable for short distances. Ocean going ships could not carry enough batteries. These are barges for inland waterways
website “Maritime News” for this lovely announcement:
“Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Vard Holdings Limited has won a contract to build one car and passenger ferry for compatriot transportation company Boreal.
Scheduled for delivery in Q3 2019, the ferry will be built by Vard Brevik in Norway and its hull by Vard Braila in Romania.
As informed, the new vessel will feature a fully electrical battery solution for continuous electric operations and is designed for environmentally friendly operations in the Norwegian fjords.
The vessel, designed by Multi Maritime, will measure 74 meters in length and 14.2 meters in beam. It will have a total capacity of up to 60 cars and 199 passengers and crew.
The newbuilding is expected to commence operations from January 2020, crossing Kvanndal-Utne at the west-coast of Norway where Boreal has been awarded a nine-year contract with the Norwegian government.”
Same company, different ship will build:
“Vard Holdings Limited has secured a contract for the design and construction of the first electric hybrid cruise icebreaker with LNG propulsion for French cruise company Ponant.”
Large Diesel engines in ships have the same energy efficiency as large steam- electric generation plants on shore (about 39%). Where is the energy savings? Better pollution control on land? OK. Renewable energy on land? OK.
