Shift

Category: Articles

  • Meet Shift’s Director of Engineering

    Creating net-zero communities while increasing the reliability and safety of our energy solutions – that is what most excites Ramtin Rasoulinezhad, our Director of Engineering, about working with electrification and energy systems at Shift.

    In an industry such as marine electrification, there are a number of unique challenges and rewarding solutions that our teams face each day. For Ramtin, shifting the trend towards clean technologies is what keeps him motivated, and he looks forward to opportunities to educate communities about the practicality and affordability of energy storage systems. 

    Ramtin’s claim-to-fame at Shift has been his work on a new concept that we introduced to the industry: Shift’s PwrSwäp e-pod. “We have created a system of charging stations and swappable battery cartridges (e-pods) that provide the end user with an affordable, reliable energy source, without them having to worry about long charging times or depreciation and lifetime maintenance of the batteries. PwrSwäp mitigates risk, optimizes efficiency, and eliminates the cost of expanding the grid.” 

    Energy storage systems are the backbone of clean energy, and Ramtin is proud of his work in bringing affordable, reliable, and clean power to the industry. Originally from Iran, Ramtin moved to Canada six years ago, and now calls Coquitlam, BC his home. Ramtin holds a PhD from Western University, as well as two Masters of Science.

  • Meet Shift mechanical engineer Yanming Wu

    We want to take a quick moment to brag about one of our impressively talented employees, Yanming Wu, who has had a major impact on our decarbonization solutions. You may be asking yourself, what does the day in the life of a mechanical engineer at Shift look like? Well, let us give you a little sneak peak, and introduce you to one of the brilliant minds behind the world’s first swappable battery! Through design, prototyping and manufacturing, Yanming has witnessed first-hand the growth of our PwrSwäp technology in its entirety.

    Yanming has played a critical role in each part of our cutting-edge PwrSwäp technology, which is a pay-as-you-go subscription service that delivers clean and reliable renewable energy with no risk. Our CEO, Brent Perry, had a vision to make a more aesthetically pleasing extruded frame for the PwrSwäp cartridge, and with that in mind, he reached out to Yanming to discuss the philosophy behind the PwrSwäp project and how it would positively impact the industry. That phone call was enough to get her hooked!

    Yanming jumped straight into the project and was involved in everything from creating the 3D model, developing the prototype and working on-site making sure the team had everything they needed to build the first ever PwrSwäp cartridge!

    Yanming was born and raised in Sichuan, China, but has called Vancouver home since 2013. She loves the challenge that working in marine electrification brings, and that there is always something new to learn and discover. Prior to her work with Shift, she was working as an Intermediate Mechanical Designer and is a Simon Fraser University alumna. When she isn’t busy working on our cutting-edge solutions, Yanming can be found hiking, camping, baking or hanging out with her dog, Jojo.

  • Shift features on The Butterfly Effect podcast

    CEO Brent Perry talks ESS technology and emissions reductions

    “Where would batteries work to replace or optimise fuel-driven engines, reducing or eliminating their emissions?”

    This is the question we first started out with at Shift Clean Energy – and it’s what continues to drive us today.

    Our CEO Brent Perry recently featured on The Butterfly Effect, a podcast from 1treelion.org, discussing our ESS technology, how we’ve rapidly accelerated GHG emissions reductions over the past decade, and why climate action remains at the very foundation of our innovation.

    Listen to the episode on Spotify or via this link: https://anchor.fm/the-butterfly-effect/episodes/Episode-48–The-Butterfly-Story-of-a-Sustainable-Marine-Industry-Hosting-Brent-Perry-e1igcpq

    This is a link to listen on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/butterflyEffectPodcast

  • Commercial electrification is the only route to diminishing Maritime’s emissions crisis

    Shift Clean Energy’s Brent Perry discusses electrification and how prioritising commercial solutions will enable true action against the climate crisis. Featured in Wealth DFM by Brandon Russel

    Point blank: the shipping industry alone is responsible for some 2.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and we’re not doing anywhere near enough to eliminate that.

    Yet maritime logistics is responsible for around 90% of the world’s trade. It’s not only central to commodity and supply chains but to economic growth, global connection, trade routes, employment figures, political stature – the list goes on.

    The natural solution? Combine commercialism and electrification, rather than treating them as two exclusive objectives or entities. A solution which tackles GHG emissions in a meaningful, rapid way must not sacrifice the role of the sector. A solution which enables Maritime’s necessity must prioritise environmentalism both short- and long-term.

    The solution in question can be one and the same.

    Combining priorities – the only way forward?

    When we discuss electrification, cost of outlay and cost efficiency very quickly arises. Adaptation is no small feat; we only need to talk to owners of electric cars to know that. Cost-heavy, yes, but it’s a decision which also comes at a high-risk, therefore less reliability.

    Considering the impact of large-scale vessels is imperative. But as the transportation of goods by trucks accounts for 10% of global GHG emissions, what is the most accessible option on the market?

    Goods are increasingly moving to inland waterways as a means to shift some of these emissions-heavy trading options – a long-standing aim of the European Union – and yet this in turn has meant larger vessel sizes, and an increase in the total gross tonnage of fleets on inland waterways. Ultimately, this requires more fuel to move.

    While this decreases congestion and improves efficiency, the problem of dangerous emissions still stands. Electrification in global trading isn’t too dissimilar from electrification in everyday transport.

    An industry that has long relied on emissions-heavy fuels is now being asked to shift its perspective to a more sustainable method of power. How can we create an electric solution which will not only be an effective solution to reduce GHG emissions and improve public health, but one which is commercially viable and, in turn, won’t cost the end-consumer?

    More reliability, less risk. Electric power solutions are only as strong as they say on the tin. Typically, large fixed-battery solutions need to be charged while the vessel is at berth. Comparatively, swappable batteries can be charged on vessel or at a charging station, can operate across a variety of trading and fuel routes. Meaning increasing accessibility, efficiency and commerciality.

    Making electrification a business decision

    Encouraging greater use of alternative fuel methods, and making things like electrification more widely accessible is one thing; eliminating the need for retrofits, newbuilds, expansion, investments can simplify transition processes and make them more commercially and operationally viable.

    Perhaps more important to that is the ability to consider how adopting something like electrification or hybridisation will support a business’ bottom line. PwrSwäp operates on a pay-as-you-go model for this very reason.

    There’s a baseline subscription service fee, and after that, energy is paid for on a per kilowatt hour basis. No deposit for the e-Pod battery, no capex, no contribution percentile to the charging station.

    The savings alone of switching from diesel to electricity pays for moving to zero emissions on day one and the entire system pays for itself within 5 or 6 years.

    Final word – Is electrification a perfect solution?

    ‘Perfect’ is dependent on an individual business’ sector, priorities, needs, objectives.
    However, for too long the ability for businesses to address the climate emergency has relied on their ability to tackle emissions whilst simply surviving – let alone making a commercial profit. Combining the two central priorities will only further business-first and innovation-led solutions.
    Northern Europe has around 6,000 inland waterway vessels alone. Around 300 kilos of Co2 is emitted by each vessel every hour alone – do the math and it might make you wince. But by creating an holistic package designed not only to reduce emissions but increase efficiency and therefore profits, it’ll be much simpler to secure buy-in – and achieve meaningful results.

  • Decarbonizing the Maritime Industry is a Conversation that Matters 

    Cutting ship CO2 emissions between Brent Perry and Stuart McNish. To listen to the full interview, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzUHWTH2rkE  

    “The goal is to give the customers not just a product that works, but an infrastructure that works,” says Brent Perry, who has been a leading developer in maritime battery development for the past 25 years. Brent sat down with journalist Stuart Mcnish for the show Conversations that Matter, to discuss the future of maritime clean energy and why the infrastructure of this new energy matters to the maritime sector, as well as to cities and people in our warming world. 

    Not only is the maritime shipping industry responsible for 2.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, but international shipping is positioned as a growing contributor, meaning that this percentage is only projected to increase. Recent reports on behalf of the IPCC have urged that global warming may now be escalating at a faster rate than we can move to adapt to it. “If nations don’t act quickly to slash fossil fuel emissions and halt global warming, more and more people will suffer unavoidable loss or be forced to flee their homes, creating dislocation on a global scale,” states the report. In response to this growing threat, the maritime industry has stated a goal to decarbonize by the end of the decade, but with the majority of the industry still relying on diesel as a form of energy, the question is how? 

    Brent Perry’s solution to turning the industry to use clean energy is relatively simple: provide energy as a service. Shift’s PwrSwäp pay-as-you-go clean energy solution provides vessels with batteries that can be swapped and recharged. These batteries are charged using renewable energy such as “geothermal, wind, solar,” says Brent Perry. “Replacing a diesel power plant with the infrastructure onshore to manage the infrastructure on the ship, can significantly reduce the industry impact of being global.”  

    This model can also significantly reduce the financial impact that is traditionally associated with going green and can actually save the industry money. Whereas most electrification requires a large upfront cost, this pay-as-you-go model allows industry to significantly reduce CAPEX.  

    The pay-as-you-go electrification model also saves time in the form of money. The use of swappable pods allows ships to utilize more hours in the day by cutting out the time it would take to charge a battery on land.  

    “The combination of financial impact with societal expectations makes this way of doing things more feasible. We take diesel-burning trucks off the road and replace them with a zero-emission final delivery. It is about the vehicles and the ships,” Brent tells Stuart. 

    The power service model will also decrease customer risk as the pods are owned by Shift and leased out to customers, allowing customers to take on less risk. Shift makes the conversion and supplies the power, taking full responsibility for the support and infrastructure needed to support the service across countries and jurisdictions. All of this was previously the customer’s responsibility. This shift towards circular economy ownership represents the future of sustainable technology, with companies taking responsibility for the longevity of the products they are selling.  

    Shift is now working with the Port of Singapore, the world’s largest port. The port is constantly backed up and makes up 50% of Singapore’s emissions. Shift will service the port with clean energy using fuel cells, power swap, and energy storage to help deliver consistency. Shift’s clean energy solution acts as a necessary intervention to the use of energy in the maritime sector, speeding up the race to zero emissions and acting as a leader in clean energy in the sector. 


    This article is based on Conversations That Matter: Cutting ship CO2 emissions between Brent Perry and Stuart McNish. To listen to the full interview, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzUHWTH2rkE, and consider joining as a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?c=614194 . 

  • Cross-Atlantic Partnership

    Cross-Atlantic Partnership

    Published in Wind Energy Network magazine issue 57. Link can be found here

    Kintech Energy Limited

    The partnership will see MJR Power & Automation provide customers across the UK with energy storage solutions and complete marine hybrid and electric propulsion systems. These solutions will utilise SPBES’ innovative lithium-ion technology designed and approved for use in both inland and seagoing vessels, ports, harbours and in the offshore sector.

    FURTHER BUSINESS GROWTH

    Speaking about the partnership, Paul Cairns, Managing Director at MJR commented: “We are delighted to have formed this strategic partnership with Sterling PlanB. There is no doubt they are the world leader in marine energy storage systems and- by adding their product to our portfolio– this enables MJR to further grow our business in the clean technology space.

    “Our expertise and knowledge of marine power and propulsion system, combined with Sterling PlanB’s world leading design and manufacture of energy storage solutions, we are certain, brings an offering to the marketplace that is very much demanded by the marine companies their drive to reduce fuel costs and develop sustainable long-term solutions that meet global emission reduction targets.”

    SUPPORTING MARINE COMPANIES

    With a great focus on the UK’s maritime sector and growing offshore wind industry, the partnership comes on the back of increasing pressure from the International Marine Organisation (IMO) to support marine companies in achieving marine engine regulations and reduce their Tier I, II and III emissions through the introduction of low carbon technologies.

    Commenting on the partnership announcement, Paul Hughes, President of Sterling PlanB added: “We are very pleased to have formed this sales and service partnership with MJR Power & Automation. There is no better partner in the UK to distribute, integrate and service Sterling PlanB energy storage solutions.

    “Their broad multi-market reach coupled with their in-depth experience, exceptional reputation for customer service and a long list of satisfied clients, makes MJR an ideal partner to develop this most important market.”

    LEADING SPECIALIST

    Operating for over 20 years in the marine, offshore and energy sectors, MJR Power and Automation is a leading specialist in marine power, electrical and automation engineering and provides complete end to end complex projects from design, engineering and construction to installation, commission, and worldwide service from its headquarters in Teesside.

    The business is approved UK marine and offshore partners for Siemens, ABB and Danfoss with a number of high profile turkey projects delivered for global leading customers. Its impressive client portfolio includes the likes of, Subsea 7, Technip, Van Oord, Stena Line, CalMac Ferries and A&P to name a few.

  • All Roads Lead to Batteries

    All Roads Lead to Batteries

    Published by the Naval Architect on January 2021. Link to the magazine can be found here.

    By Brent Perry | Chief Executive Officer, Sterling PlanB

    Brent Perry, CEO of battery solutions provider Sterling PlanB, on why marine decarbonisation requires sage and effective energy storage

    Energy storage systems are vital for shipping to meet the decarbonisation timeframes already embedded in IMO target, as well as those to be included in the EU’s proposed Green Deal. Currently, the IMO requires a reduction in carbon intensity of at least 40% by 2030, and by 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. Further, the IMO intends to reduce the sector’s total carbon emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

    This is just the beginning though, as this decarbonisation strategy will likely be revised to further increase ambition in coming years. Other regulators are set to introduce their own targets, but existing goals require immediate action by shipping companies. Not only to reduce the environmental impact of ships currently being designed and built, but also on those that are already in operation. Meeting these targets means implementing significant efficiency-boosting technologies today and preparing now for increased regulation in the future.

    Weather on its own, in tandem with low or zero-carbon fuels, or in conjunction with other technologies, energy storage systems (ESS) will be key to hitting these targets. Recent rapid growth in ESS adoption saw 356 all-electric or hybrid vessels in operation or under construction last year, according to DNV GL, and the number has continued to grow during 2020. Where the majority of these are smaller craft or passenger vessels (vessels which can best take advantage of the ROI benefits of full electrification), projects such as the installation of a 600kWh ESS on the Maersk Cape Town show that the appetite and applicability for energy storage cuts across segments into larger ocean going vessels of all types.

    The benefits of energy storage

    Modern marine ESS’ are incredibly versatile. Available in many configurations and used for a variety of purposes, a modern battery, commonly built with lithium-ion cells, can help a vessel ensure compliance with emission regulations and can achieve operational cost savings for a wide variety of vessels.

    For some ships, that means fully electric or hybrid propulsion. A recent DNV GL report for the European Maritime Safety Agency suggested that ferries could see fuel cost savings of up to 100% with a payback period of less than five years on ESS power, while they suggested that large cruise vessels could see cost savings of up to 5% from implementation of hybrid power systems. It also notes that the technology is particularly applicable to short sea shipping, dependent upon the route and operational criteria.

    For larger vessels, peak shaving may be more appropriate. Current deep-sea vessels could see fuel savings of up to 14% through peak shaving, using an ESS to meet short spikes in energy demands to ensure that the vessels engines run at its optimum power settings for as long as possible. Simply reducing the need for additional generators to be brought online to meet intermittent loads can provide significant opex savings. In many of these applications, the energy from batteries is further used to power vital operational systems such as pumps, winches and carnes, or to offer hotel loads for crews that would otherwise be delivered via diesel generators.

    Depending on vessel’s purpose, fuel saving are not the only issue. In some sectors, especially offshore, energy storage represents huge logistical and operational benefits by cutting risks. Risk reduction is achieved by providing instant spinning reserve, available in milliseconds from the batteries, which in turn delivers flexibility and value. In these configurations, and ESS can quickly provide immense amounts of energy, delivering back power to provide operators with vital redundancy and a time buffer if traditional equipment fails.

    In other applications, an ESS could be solely used for other operational functions of vessel. This is how the system onboard the Maersk Cape Town operates and is particularly applicable to refrigerated cargo ships or those carrying refrigerated containers.

    Refrigeration for these vessels requires vast amounts of variable power, changing based on the differential between the temperatures set by cooling systems and ambient temperatures. This has historically been delivered solely through onboard generators, which exposes owners to both high supplemental fuel costs and significant risk in the case of failure. Employing an ESS to provide peak shaving power and backup redundancy in this context has a huge benefit in actual cost reduction and risk mitigation.

    These benefits are expected to become more pronounced as new zero-carbon fuels have lower energy densities than vessels are currently used to, providing smart support through energy storage will be more operationally important than ever. Biofuels, hydrogen or ammonia all benefit from additional power to augment heavy machinery starts or other intermittent loads. In the future, al commercial vessels will have a battery room and those which implement energy storage today will see the greatest cost savings and strategic advantage going forward.

    However, as with any major maritime innovation, good design is critical for ensuring both safety and effectiveness. This design must encompass the whole of an ESS, as well as its surroundings and integration into other systems, from the start.

    Holistic design unlocks the potential of energy storage

    Good design is more than just designing powerful il-ion cells. Good design must cover the entirety of the space around those cells and the ESS itself, to ensure efficiency and safety.

    Li-ion cells’ unique properties confer significant benefits over any alternative, but if poorly managed, they come with significant risk. Risk of thermal runaway is significant in that it is a rarely occurring event but can be catastrophic if it does happen. It starts when a damaged or faulty cell overheats, causing an exothermic reaction in adjacent cells, cascading through the entire battery. As these cells degrade, they emit highly flammable and toxic gasses. Without proper system in place, this chain reaction that could lead to fire or in the worst case, explosion.

    Simply put, all ESS require active cell cooling. Active cooling is most commonly derived from the circulation of a chilled liquid coolant through passages surrounding the cells. Liquid cooling, when integrated fully into the design of a system, ensures that the entirety of the cell is kept at a uniform temperature. Working in conjunction with thermal barriers between blocks of cells, the Sterling PlanB CellCool system has been designed to cool the very core of each module and every cell in the system. CellCool is so effective at removing thermal energy that it can cool the cells faster than they produce heat in a thermal runway type incident. This robust cooling has been third-party validated to prevent and even reverse thermal runaway after it has started. Until now, this effectiveness of cooling was unheard of in the lithium battery industry.

    Uniform cooling also eliminates hotspots within cells that could cause accelerated ageing, or failure in the first place. Further, this level of constant, uninterrupted cooling provides increased performance capability and enables the ESS to run at an average continuous rate of 300% – allowing a 1MWh battery to provide 3MW of power for machine starts or any other intermittent loads.

    Yet, even when taking these precautions, the risk of thermal runaway can be reduced, but never fully eliminated by any system. That is why explosion-proof, fully integrated venting systems are required to move toxic, flammable gasses from the battery to the outside of the vessel. Sterling PlanB’s patented and integrated ventilation system, E-Vent, vents the core of the battery, meaning the battery room is kept clear of fumes. This in turn reduces fire and explosion risk and allows safety or maintenance crews to re-enter the affected area sooner than if the area was filled with toxic and flammable gasses. Similarly, control electronics such as cooling pumps and alarms must be fully integrated into the vessel’s electrical infrastructure to make sure that all systems work together seamlessly – and cannot be unintentionally disabled by well-meaning crew.

    Decarbonisation is already happening in the maritime industry and energy storage is key to enabling a painless transition for many vessel types. By future-proofing their fleets today using a product that provides rapid ROI, shipowners position themselves to have the advantage over their competition the coming years. However not all energy storage systems are equal, and it is critical that systems provided to the commercial marine industry are designed to deliver the quality, value, safety, and high level support that shipowners deserve and expect.

  • Future Proofing Rural India

    Future Proofing Rural India

    Published in Energetica India on December 2020. Link to the magazine can be found here.

    By Ambarish Ghosh | Vice President Business Development, Sterling PlanB

    Solar plus energy storage is perhaps the most viable option for standalone hamlets or villages where there is no grid connectivity, and the electricity is currently generated using diesel generator sets. With increased focus on climate change globally, there has been a shift towards renewable energy. India too is seeing a steady transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. With an ambitious target of achieving 40 percent of installed capacity based on renewable sources by 2030, energy storage appears to be the key to unlock the true potential of renewable energy and realize this target.

    The elderly grandfather moves slowly through the darkness, wary of any obstacle that might be in his path. With confidence, he reaches out and flips a switch. Like magic, a warm light fills the room. In another house nearby, a table lamp illuminates the pages as a student studies with the help of her father in the evening after dinner and his long workday as a farmer. In the same village, a school that once closed at dusk is now open for more hours of the day, meeting increased demand for education in a growing population. Near the school, the only healthcare facility in the village used to close before dark. Now it is open in the evening, providing care to a few more sick patients each day. For the tired doctor and nurses inside, a fan cooling the air and a brightly lit room provide comfort and confidence to provide the care their patients deserve. In the town, electric streetlights now pro- vide safety and security to the residents; harmful kerosene lamps now just a relic of the past. In another home, a child runs in -excitedly narrating to his parents that which he just watched on a neighbour’s tv, informing and educating them about the world beyond their village. Close to town, a couple of looms or rural handicraft units now operate at peak capacity, 24 hours per day, providing good jobs to workers in the local village and ensuring they do not have to leave their families to find work. As evening darkens the village goes to sleep with a hope for next dawn. Thus, is the social impact of the electrification of rural India.

    India is a land of villages. More than 600,000 villages are scattered around the rural areas of the country; each with a unique identity. These villages are where you get to know the true roots and character of this great country. Visiting a village may sound like a rustic affair but therein lies the true essence of India. Seventy percent it’s population – roughly one-tenth of humanity – live in this countryside. It is a testament to the people who live here that they continue to thrive, with limited facilities and rapid population growth. Indeed, India is thriving as a nation and on the international stage. This also makes rural India a focal point for issues of national and global concern. Economic and societal growth must be addressed. Improvements to society such as electrification, health- care, quality education and sanitation must be provided with minimal impact to the climate.

    Over the years, many of India’s resilient rural villages have been trying to remain relevant and adapt to change without losing valued traditions and skills that have survived down the ages. The Smart Village concept helps people access basic life services and amenities like water and electricity and with advances in technology, a gradual transition to sustainable and renewable energy resources has begun to power the smart village concept. Solar panels on rooftops are increasingly common in many villages.

    Solar plus energy storage is perhaps the most viable option for standalone hamlets or villages where there is no grid connectivity, and the electricity is currently generated using diesel generator sets. With increased focus on climate change globally, there has been a shift towards renewable energy. India too is seeing a steady transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. With an ambitious target of achieving 40 percent of installed capacity based on renewable sources by 2030, energy storage appears to be the key to unlock the true potential of renewable energy and realize this target.

    In the example of a theoretical small village community on Sagardeep Island in the Sunderbans district of West Bengal region of rural India, a population of 400- 450 people would require a photovoltaic system of ~26KW. This PV system would then be fed into a 2MWh battery. This battery would be able to provide 125KW of power for up to 16 hours before running out. In a more realistic scenario (estimated), the loads from the community would more likely be only 20KW for 4hours in the evening, 4-6 KW during the night when residents are sleeping, and then 4-6KW for a few hours in the morning before the sun rises and begins a new daily charge cycle from the photovoltaic panels.

    The world is moving away from fossil fuel power generation, and the people in rural areas are set to reap the biggest rewards. Today, the cost of installed solar is a fraction of the cost of even 5 years ago. Power electronics have got- ten smaller and more reliable while their cost has also fallen. Entire systems that were not feasible just a few years ago are now not only feasible, but also provide their owners with significant return on investment. The social implications are staggering. Rather than leave their homes and villages looking for opportunity (and often finding nothing but despair in the big cities), workers and students could opt to stay with their families, working during the day, children in school, and taking care of elderly parents afterward.

    But the biggest advantage of having an energy storage in rural India is mechanization of rural economic activities leading to innovations and job creations. For example, in the states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, solar-powered electric reeling machines have allowed women working in silk weaving cooperatives to increase their incomes and reduce drudgery. These machines, developed by a private company, use just 10 percent of the power of standard machines, yet they increase productivity and market competitiveness. Children become educated using a combination of in-class teachers for younger students, high school curriculum for teens, and maybe a post-secondary college education at the nearest town a few miles away. As they grow to adulthood, these same children are now able to apply their knowledge in their local community as educators, administrators, technical trade workers and community leaders. Who better to revitalize a community than those who know it from birth?

    Ultimately, a hybrid solar/battery power plant provides the community a path forward to educate the young, provide meaningful employment for working-age people, to revitalize rural India and to keep families together.

    Reliable, clean electricity provides the social power to transform rural India and the economic power to maintain this great country’s growth now and into the next century.

  • Sterling PlanB – The Power Pioneers

    Sterling PlanB – The Power Pioneers

    While Sterling PlanB is widely known for its durable lithium-ion energy storage, most people don’t know the history of the company; the backstory as it were. We don’t brag about our achievements very much but it’s important to note that the founders of Sterling PlanB started the industrial energy storage industry back in 2009. Before Tesla or the myriad of other brands, there was our team.  

    At the time, marine propulsion engineers and others in the industry could see the potential for huge fuel and emissions savings from hybridizing ships. At the time there was no supplier that could build a robust lithium-ion battery suitable for use in a commercial marine environment. So, in late 2009, a boatbuilder named Brent Perry, stepped up to take on the challenge. The company he founded, Corvus Energy, was the first and only company to focus on batteries for large commercial vessels.  

    The pull from the maritime industry was incredible. As the company gained notoriety in media and by word of mouth, world firsts and historic moments became almost commonplace.

    Events such as the launch of the first hybrid harbour tug in Europe (e-KOTUG RT Adriaan), the world’s first battery powered zero-emission ferry (Norled, MV Ampere), the largest hybrid vehicle ever produced (Scandlines, MS Prinsesse Benedikte), the first hybrid superyacht (Feadship, Savannah), the first hybrid Offshore Support Vessel (Eidesvik Offshore, Viking Lady), a 47 knot electric yacht tender (Goldfish Boats e-Fusion).  

    In the early days of the industry, the idea of a purpose built, high performance industrial scale lithium battery was of great interest in other sectors as well. Under the direction of Brent, the company was responsible for some non-marine firsts as well, like the first hybrid class 8 transport truck (built for Peterbilt/PACAAR), several defence projects (classified to this day) and even a fuel-cell/battery hybrid lunar rover (for Hydrogenics). 

     

     

    While Brent and the team at Sterling PlanB have said goodbye to the past at the old company and a few of the faces have changed over the years, many of the original core group remain. More importantly, the company culture remains the same. Dedication to innovation, excellence and providing value to the customer will never diminish.  

    At Sterling PlanB, keeping the props turning is job number one, and it will always remain so.   

  • Ship.Energy Q&A: Leading the Charge

    Ship.Energy Q&A: Leading the Charge

    Published In Ship.Energy on October 1, 2020. Link to the article can be found here.

    By Lesley Bankes-Hughes | Publishing Director, Petrospot Limited

    ‘In the future, every commercial vessel will have a battery room’’ says Sterling PBES CEO, Brent Perry.

    In this Q&A with ship.energy, Brent Perry discusses the retrofit potential of Energy Storage Systems, lifecycle costs, payback times – and also explains how the technology is evolving to enable new applications – perhaps as a containerised solution or a microgrid, or for a new type of vessel

    Is progress on the industry uptake of electric/hybrid vessels happening as Sterling PBES had envisaged? There seems to be an increasingly-held view that this technology is primarily appropriate for smaller vessels and/or those engaged on shorter, scheduled routes but that it will not have application for larger oceangoing vessels – do you agree with this viewpoint?

    Over the past few years, smaller vessels and those engaged on shorter, scheduled routes have certainly been the primary beneficiaries of Energy Storage System (ESS) technology. Their size and capabilities have made electrification relatively simple, while owners have seen rapid return on investment (ROI) from electrification.

    The operational benefits of energy storage have also traditionally been most pronounced in these markets. For passenger vessels, reduced vibrations and noise have clear benefits to passenger experience, while any near shore vessels are more exposed to national legislation and political or social pressure on greenhouse emissions and air pollution. This is changing as the industry comes under greater scrutiny from regulators and the public.

    Where these segments are the greatest beneficiaries of ESS technology today, we are seeing larger vessels to take advantage of li-ion ESS systems in the coming years. New fuels with lower energy densities than traditional bunker fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, methanol) are expected to become commonplace over the next few years, and energy storage represents a particular efficiency benefit for these vessels in balancing the power output of any given fuel source.

    What is the potential for the ESS retrofit market? Are there onboard installation challenges and also financial implications for this market versus newbuilds?

    We believe that, where not all future vessels will be fully-electric, all future vessels will have a battery room and an ESS. For hybrid systems, an ESS’s infrastructure would not need to be changed if the other fuel used is at a later date. This means that an ESS can via retrofit, future proof a vessel now, cost effectively.

    Historically, retrofit challenges have existed for ESS’s. Systems require some electrical infrastructure, and most systems require a specific footprint that can pose a challenge. New innovations are changing this, such as our new self-contained CanPower microgrid unit which can add energy storage to virtually any vessel. The system is simply, easily and inexpensively located on the top deck or other exterior location, and only requires a connection to the vessels electrical grid via a fixed connection or a plug in to function.

    What are the vessel design challenges associated with the use of ESS?

    It really depends on what you’re looking to do with an ESS. Adding a microgrid can be relatively simple, with a containerised system like our CanPower microgrid solutions being entirely self-contained and only requiring a minimal footprint and using existing infrastructure. With more challenging applications, existing type approval standards are there to apply to meet the expectations.

    Holistic design of the entirety of an ESS and its surroundings is vital to ensure safety and operability. Minimising the footprint and size of a system can have a huge impact, and good design has huge benefits here. In the event of an accident, this holistic principle is even more important; designers need to be sure that toxic gasses would be vented into safe areas, and electronic control systems are fully integrated into a vessel’s other safety systems.

    ESS manufacturers need to offer system integrators and naval architects expert support to overcome these challenges. At Sterling PBES, we take an active role in the design and installation of systems to provide seamless support to ensure efficiency, operability and safety.

    Is there anything that the shipping sector can learn from the experiences of the automotive sector in relation to electric/hybrid technology?

    If you look at the history of hybrid and electric cars, you can see how quickly electrification takes hold. At one point, electric and hybrid cars were seen as fringe and had little take up for decades, but when the technology caught up to the ambitions, we saw a sea change. Even Ferrari now make hybrid cars, and a lot of countries are planning to phase out conventional engine vehicles over the next two decades.

    In the maritime industry, energy storage has been proven as a technology – especially for smaller vessels. We are currently seeing a similar change, as shipowners and other stakeholders take notice of the cost and emissions benefits of li-ion energy storage.

    Could you comment on lifecycle costs/challenges of ESS in the context of a 25-30-year average lifespan of a vessel?

    For most near shore vessels today, the fuel cost savings associated with energy storage represent a fast ROI that remains high throughout a vessel’s lifespan. However, this does not always tell the full story. A conventional ship engine would be expected to survive the normal lifespan of a ship without full replacement, while the useable lifespan of li-ion cells has historically meant full system re-builds are required every five to ten years.

    Innovations like Sterling PBES’ CellSwap technology are changing this, though. CellSwap allows for individual li-ion cells to be replaced without removing the vital system infrastructure, meaning that a shipowner can take advantage of ever improving cell technologies without building in heavy redundancy into a system to improve its lifespan. At the same time, it makes replacing cells simpler than engine maintenance while bringing costs roughly in line with what you may see in a conventional vessel. Life cycle cost of electricity will be in the $0.05-0.06/kWh range.

    Is standard contractual documentation in place for the operation of hybrid/electric vessels, i.e. charter party agreements?

    Sterling PBES offers full financing options, either based on lease to own models or system cost sharing models where the customer pays for the system out of usage and service for the ESS.  Today this is a viable option for all qualified clients and can involve total vessel finance or ESS system finance.

    What is the payback period in terms of investing in hybrid vessels, and is financing available to owners for these vessels (subsidies, bank loans, other investment funds)?

    Payback times really depend on a huge number of factors, including the size and purpose of a vessel, its average fuel costs, and where it is operating. We have seen some passenger vessels see a return on their investment within a year, while it is a longer-term investment for some other vessels.

    Obviously, it is really important for companies to be open and honest in this space and we are committed to calculating these times honestly for our partners. As cell technology and energy density improves, it is important that the energy storage industry acts honestly and builds trust with the industry on payback times.

    In terms of finance, we have seen end users engage with ESG investors and other green funds and initiatives. ESG is rapidly growing as an area for finance, and sustainable electrification fits perfectly with the ethos and mandate of this rapidly growing source of finance.

    For fossil-fuelled vessels, there is a growing call for ‘well to wake’ emissions to be considered. How does this ‘measurement’ of emissions apply to ESS, in terms of production processes and also the disposal of lithium-ion batteries?

    It is true that building and disposing of energy storage systems represents some environmental impact. Mining the materials needed, constructing and installing whole systems, and disposing of the heavy metals included in the cells can have emissions and ecological impacts. These are significantly fewer than with any other type of system.

    At Sterling PBES, we are able to recycle and reuse 96% of the heavy metal content in the cells we use and use recycled material wherever possible. The materials are returned to ESS grade quality for true recycling.

    At the same time, innovations like our CellSwap system mean that the infrastructure of an ESS does not need to be removed, disposed of, and replaced every time a system’s cells need replacing. This even further cuts the environmental impact of our systems, while also cutting costs, and is a philosophy the industry will need to implement as ‘well to wake’ issues are highlighted.

    In your discussions with potential purchasers of electric vessels, what are the main questions they are asking of you in relation to the technology.

    The market is very interested in where the historic limitations of ESS technology are changing, especially from the operational side. People want to know if you can use it in new, novel applications – perhaps as a containerised solution or a microgrid, or for a new type of vessel – in a cost efficient and safe way.

    How do you see the electric/hybrid vessel sector developing over the next 10-20 years?

    In the future, every commercial vessel will have a battery room. The technology has been proven from cost, operability and environmental perspective, while ESS technology will be a vital part of enabling new fuels as the industry prepares for a zero-carbon future.