Shift

Author: Shift Team

  • The Largest Electric Vessels Ever Produced. Running on PBES Lithium Batteries.

    Two massive ferries are about to become the biggest all-electric ships in the world
    Article published by Fred Lambert, Published by Electrek on  Aug. 24th 2017.  Read the full article on electrek.com

     

    Over the last year, ABB has been converting two of Sweden’s HH Ferries Group’s massive ferries from diesel engines to being completely battery-powered.

    Now the ships are reportedly close to launching, which would likely make them the biggest all-electric ships in the world.

    As we have often discussed in the past, all modes of transportation are gradually being converted to electric propulsion and that includes maritime transport.

    Ferries are a perfect place to start since they often travel only short distances and stay for relatively long periods of time at the same ports, where they can be charged.

    The HH Ferries Group’s two ferries, the Tycho Brahe and the Aurora, operate a 4-km (2.5 miles) ferry route between Helsingborg (Sweden) and Helsingör (Denmark). Therefore, the route that they are converting to all-electric transport is not exactly impressive, but the actual ships themselves are something.

    They are 238 meters long (780 ft) and weight 8,414 tonnes. They carry 7.4 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles annually.

    Those are incredibly large machines to power with electricity, but it’s worth it economically for the savings on diesel and environmentally to slash local emissions. They are already similar ferry routes going electric, but nothing of this magnitude in term of size.

    ABB already started installing the more than 4 MWh of battery packs inside each ship:

    “640 batteries of 6.5 kWh are installed on top of each ferry along with two deckhouses for transformers, converters and cooling of the batteries. Cables run from the deckhouses to connecting points at each end of the ship, so that the batteries can be quick-charged – to provide the power of 70 electric cars.”

    The Tycho Brahe is reportedly ready and it was supposed to start operation last month, according to HH Ferries Group’ website, but they had to postpone the launch because the charging systems at the docks are not ready.

    ABB has been installing giant robotic arms at the docks to operate the charger.

    Continue reading the full article at Electrek

  • PBES Norway and Noris Automation GmbH announce Partnership Agreement

    Noris Marine to offer PBES energy storage to marine customers in Southern Europe

    PBES and Noris Automation GmbH today announced a partnership agreement to represent PBES energy storage for hybrid and fully electric commercial marine vessels. This further underscores the on-going green shift that is now occurring in the commercial marine industry.

    “Noris Automation is a company with deep roots in the marine industry,” said Brent Perry, PBES Chief Executive Officer. “Their attention to exceptional quality and made in Germany products along with devotion to customer service, provide PBES with confidence that Noris is the ideal partner to bring our products to marine customers.”

    “We are pleased to announce the agreement with PBES,” stated Uwe Ulrich, Managing Director, Noris Automation GmbH. “Much of the future of shipping will be based on hybrid and electric propulsion. After we evaluated the industry option; as well as the sustainable movement around the globe, the advantages of PBES liquid cooling were clear, and the company’s service driven values fit well with our own.”

    The PBES energy storage system has been designed to the highest standards of performance and safety and is designed to seamlessly integrate with all top OEM propulsion systems.

    About Noris
    The Noris Group GmbH, headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany and its subsidiaries in Rostock – Germany, Rotterdam – Netherlands, Shanghai – China and Singapore are leading manufacturer of Marine Automation Systems, such as Alarm, Monitoring and Control Systems, Propulsion Remote Control Systems, Local Operating Panels, sensors, switches, transducers and indicators for the past 90 years. With almost 200 employees and more than 25 sales and service support centers worldwide, Noris is servicing its customers around the globe with committed quality.

  • PBES Norway and Pangea Marine Trade announce Agency Agreement

    Pangea Marine Trade offers PBES energy storage to marine customers in Southern Europe

    PBES and Pangea Marine Trade announced the agreement to represent PBES energy storage for hybrid and fully electric commercial marine vessels in Southern Europe. This underscores the on-going green shift that is now occurring in the commercial marine industry.
    “The hybrid power system of today is smart, proven technology, designed for ease of integration and uninterrupted performance,” said Brent Perry, Chief Executive Officer, PBES. “PBES energy storage is ideal to optimize the vessels Pangea’s customers are currently supplying to the marine industry”.

    “We are pleased to announce the agreement with PBES,” stated Mete Özalp, Managing Director, Pangea. “Much of the future of shipping will be based on hybrid and electric propulsion. After we evaluated the industry option; as well as the sustainable movement around the globe, the advantages of PBES liquid cooling were clear, and the company’s service driven values fit well with our own.

    The PBES energy storage system has been designed to the highest standards of performance and safety and is designed to seamlessly integrate with all top OEM propulsion systems.

  • Specialized Hybrid Wind Farm Vessel

    ABB’s Onboard DC Grid enables integration of energy storage on specialized hybrid wind farm vessel
    Press release by ABB – see full release here

    Ulsteinvik, Norway – ABB will optimize the safety and environmental credentials of a new Louis Dreyfus Armateurs wind farm Service Operation Vessel (SOV) by installing Onboard DC Grid power distribution to enable the cost-efficient integration of batteries. As an integral part of the power system, the Power and Energy Management System (PEMS) will ensure safe and efficient operation of the vessel. The hybrid system enables lean operation with fewer running generators without compromising on safety, meaning less maintenance and better fuel consumption over the long-term.

    “Shipping is waking up to the many advantages of energy storage,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s marine and ports business. “With the industry starting to use batteries more and more, and fuel cells becoming a viable option, we fully expect the Onboard DC Grid to gain further traction.”

    The Onboard DC Grid will integrate two sets of batteries used primarily for spinning reserve and peak shaving. Power peaks during operation can be covered by the battery rather than starting another engine. Again, battery power can act as backup for running generators, reducing the need to run spare generator capacity. In addition to ship efficiency gains, the mode of operation has long-term benefits for ship engines, as it increases efficiency through higher engine load and reduces running hours overall.

    Read the rest of the press release here.

     

     

  • No Fuel & No Emissions – World First Electric Aquaculture Boat

    PBES Powers World First Electric Aquaculture Support Vessel

     

    Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) today announced a milestone project in the aquaculture industry. The award of the contract for energy storage aboard the electric fish farm vessel Elfrida underscores the ongoing trend toward adoption of green technology in Norway.

     

    “We see this as crucial preparation for a low-carbon future,” says Roger Bekken, Managing Director of Salmar, the vessel’s owner and leading Norwegian aquaculture company. “In keeping with our forward thinking management, and focus on operational efficiency, adding battery technology to our vessels brings cost savings and environmental stewardship together in one package.”

     

    “The PBES battery system onboard Elfrida was one of the first we installed in a working vessel and proves the technology is well suited to fish farming,” said Grant Brown, Vice President, Marketing at PBES. “We envision the entire fleet of Norwegian aquaculture and fishing vessels to either run as hybrid or on full battery propulsion,” he added.

     

    In operation since February 2017, the vessel provides up to 12 knots speed and a full eight-hour shift per charge. Not only does the system eliminate emissions, the fact there is no noise, vibration or diesel fumes provides greater crew comfort, less fatigue and leads to safer working conditions onboard. Best of all, the vessel requires no diesel fuel, dramatically reducing operating costs.

     

  • PBES Appoints Local Business Expert to Develop Energy Storage Markets

    PBES strengthens business development resources

    PBES today announced that Eivind Aune has joined the firm to develop energy storage markets. Mr. Aune brings decades of experience in Norwegian business.

    With an MSc in electronics/cybernetics and an MBA in international marketing and trade, Eivind has found success in several board and CEO positions. Eivind spent the 8 last years as an owner and CEO of Sifa Mechanical Production in Selbu, Norway.

    “PBES has proven that becoming ‘green’ is also a good business case,” said Eivind. “Their achievements in a relatively short time are exceptional, and they are a very enthusiastic and competent team. I’m very pleased to be able to provide guidance and expertise in Norwegian markets.”

     

    “Eivind’s strong business mind and technological competence give him direct experience and perspective of Norway’s dynamic yet geographically small marketplace.” Commented Brent Perry, CEO, Plan B Energy Storage. “His success in a variety of sectors provides perspective beyond the marine world.”

    PBES’ high performance lithium batteries are known as the safest in the world. Thermal-StopTM CellCoolTM and CellSwapTM systems make PBES batteries safer, longer lasting and better value than any other product available today.

  • PBES Appoints Power Generation Expert to Develop Energy Storage Markets

    PBES strengthens resources in key sectors

    Trondheim, Norway – July 11, 2017 – Plan B Energy Storage (PBES) today announced Arnstein Andreassen has joined the firm to develop marine energy storage markets. Mr. Andreassen brings decades of experience in power generation and propulsion.

    In his previous positions, both in Naval and commercial business, Arnstein worked with power generation and propulsion systems in the marine space, helping his clients to achieve best in value for their investment. Arnstein comes to PBES from Bertel O. Steen Teknikk AS (Bostek), where he is responsible for sales of commercial marine generator sets.

     

    I am glad to join the team at PBES,” said Arnstein. The character and experience of this group is exceptional, and the PBES product provides a level of safety and performance that until now has been missing in the marketplace.

     

     

    “Arnstein’s experience with marine power generation gives him direct experience and perspective of the industry.” Commented Brent Perry, CEO, PBES. “He has achieved success in the most demanding of conditions. He is a natural fit for this team.”

    PBES’ high performance lithium batteries are touted as “the safest in the world”. Thermal-StopTM CellCoolTM and CellSwapTM  systems make PBES the only energy storage capable of preventing thermal runaway before it occurs.

     

    About PBES

    PBES designs and manufactures high power industrial lithium-ion energy storage. Comprised of the most experienced team in the sector, PBES is focused on providing value and safety for industrial, marine and grid energy storage applications. Learn more at www.ssssspbes.com

    ###

    Media Contact:

    Grant Brown
    Vice President Marketing, PBES
    +1 604 328 2046
    gbrown@ssssspbes.com

  • Wind Farm Support Vessels – Hybrids Come Closer

    Article written by Stevie Knight, post on MaritimeJournal.com on July 6, 2017

     

    Will the WSFVs of the future run on batteries?Will the WSFVs of the future run on batteries?

    “When you look at the considerations for WFSVs,” said Andrew Eydt of PBES, “Human safety as well as operational concerns are top, and what you want for both is redundancy that’s key.”

    However, the high speed transits are fairly long, so the batteries can get another chance at a top up and there’s plenty of time to absorb it without demanding more from the engine capacity.

    This is often followed by hours of relatively short transits between towers and extended periods of loitering around the windfarms on standby. “This low-speed loitering presents a very inefficient loads cycle for the engines,” pointed out Mr Eydt. However, while the ‘pushing on’ element of engaging with the towers is a typically low engine load scenario, there are typically sudden changes as the waters surge across the foundations – here, it seems that batteries’ ability to respond in milliseconds might yield important, hitherto unexplored, advantages.

    Of course, there’s the unpredictability of the operational pattern which is where hybrids again win: even if the onsite manoeuvring continues for an extended periods, it’s possible to cycle energy storage and engines alternately.

    All this makes a very good case for batteries or does it?

    What has put many operators off is the physical footprint of the energy solutions and those unpredictable operational matters make WSFV designs particularly weight conscious – and operators wary.

    However, battery technology has shaped up a great deal in just a few years, doubling output for the same weight, and also halving in price. What has put many operators off is the physical footprint of the energy solutions and those unpredictable operational matters make WSFV designs particularly weight conscious – and operators wary. However, battery technology has shaped up a great deal in just a few years, doubling output for the same weight, and also halving in price.

    Read the full article at MaritimeJournal.com 

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  • Trondheim Rises as Norway’s Sleeping Tech Giant Awakens

    In less then a decade, the hybrid and electric marine industry has grown from a single ship to over 50 large industrial hybrid and fully electric ships.  The battery revolution is hitting the maritime industry at a rapid pace with Norway emerging as a leader, the country is setting targets for 50 electrical ferries in operation by 2021.   A cluster of marine innovation, Trondheim has become the centre for marine electrification, the city holds some of Northern Europe’s most prominent research institutions, as well as marine suppliers and integrators alike setting up shop and working together towards an industrial evolution of clean energy.  Forbes Magazine recently published an article Trondheim Rises as Norway’s Sleeping Tech Giant Awakens, praising the city for its leadership and growth as a European tech cluster.

    Like many cities in the world, it has designs on becoming a tech hub and rivalling the likes of local competitor Stockholm and the allegedly more developed clusters of London, Berlin and Paris. Its poaching of the Starmus conference from Tenerife (with an option for the next two years) is a station on the way to that Nirvana, a sign that it means business. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) a catalyst for the revolution that the city has planned. With more than 38,000 students and 6,700 people employed in R&D, the campus works with SINTEF, the largest independent research organisation to create the bedrock for the emerging tech hub. – Monty Munford, Forbes

    PBES is proud to be part of the Trondheim tech hub, as the marine industry leading supplier of safe, high power energy storage systems, we are seeing the rapid up-take of the technology and subsequently have been quick to expand our Trondheim factory. Since the introduction of manufacturing in Norway in November 2016, we have delivered over 10MWh of batteries, delivered the first 4.2MWh ferry system in Denmark which is the largest marine battery ever made, and gone from 4 to 40 employees with plans for an additional 30 people this year. PBES is proud to be located in this center of this prosperous maritime technology environment and contribute to, and benefit from, the knowledge, and technical expertise of the area.

    To read the full Forbes article click here.