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Tag: Press Release

  • Shipping company to develop carbon-neutral maritime transport using EUDP grants

    The Danish shipping company MHO-Co is heading a consortium that will spend EUR 4.5 million during the next three years on developing green solutions for the future of the maritime industry. Together with Aalborg University, among others, and with grants from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP), MHO-Co will test fuel cells and new battery technology on the shipping company’s advanced hybrid vessels.

    “The aim is to develop environmentally-friendly technology to replace fossil fuels and dominate the maritime industry in the future. With the EUDP grants as well as with knowledge and innovation from other participants, we will set new standards for what is possible in the maritime industry,” says director of the shipping company MHO-Co, Mik Henriksen.

    The Danish shipping company is the initiator of the consortium which, apart from the companies Danfoss, Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S, Sterling PlanB Energy Solution and Stuart Friezer Marine, consists of research engineers from Aalborg University. They have joined forces on the project at a total of EUR 4.5 million, of which EUR 2.15 million are grants from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP).    

    Fuel cells and batteries

    Over the next three years, the six partners have an ambitious plan to develop and test a propulsion system for maritime transport that does not emit carbon dioxide. During this period, MHO-Co will test both fuel cells and liquid cooling system batteries. 

    Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S will develop the first fuel cells for shipping.

    “Based on our experience with fuel cells for heavy transport, we are now focusing on how fuel cells and hydrogen can also become the green solution of the future in the maritime sector. This project is groundbreaking because together we can test the different options and find a sustainable solution, which can be approved by the authorities and live up to the current requirements for new technologies,” says Kristina Fløche Juelsgaard, director at Ballard Power Systems Europe A/S. 

    Another pillar of the project is the use of energy storage systems for maritime use. This is where Sterling PlanB contributes to the project.

    “Sterling PlanB has long prided itself on engineering the safest and most robust energy storage systems available on the market, in support of emissions reductions,” said Brent Perry, CEO of Sterling PlanB. “Our battery technology is engineered to be the most robust lithium battery possible, for a cost-effective, sustainable solution. We’re very proud to be a part of this project and partnering with like-minded experts in the industry to support shipping’s decarbonisation challenges.”

    Floating test platforms

    The next generation of MHO-Co’s vessels are custom designed to service the wind turbine and offshore industries, and the shipping company specializes in transporting technicians to and from large wind farms. Currently, the shipping company is building the world’s first Crew Transfer Vessels with hybrid propulsion, and these two vessels will be the focal point of the project.

    “Our two new vessels are built as floating test platforms. They are designed to be adapted to the environmentally-friendly energy systems of the future – simply by replacing engine and propulsion packages. And since the vessels are catamarans, we have four platforms providing even better conditions for testing and comparing different sustainable solutions, “Mik Henriksen (MHO-Co) explains. The two new vessels are being built in China and are scheduled to be put into operation in Europe before the summer holidays of 2021.

    ABOUT MHO-Co

    MHO-Co is a Danish shipping company specializing in the service and transport of crew in the offshore wind industry. The shipping company was founded in Esbjerg in 2015 by Mik Henriksen and commands a number of vessels including the twin vessels MHO Gurli and MHO Esbjerg, which – each measuring 39 meters – are the world’s largest Crew Transfer Vessels. The green ambitions are great, and the goal of MHO-Co from day one has been to service the offshore industry with reliable vessels with high performance and safety, where environmental and fuel-economy considerations go hand in hand. Visit www.mho-co.dk to learn more.

  • Sterling PlanB Gains DNV GL Type Approval Certification for Preventing Thermal Runaway

    Sterling PlanB Gains DNV GL Type Approval Certification for Preventing Thermal Runaway

    Leading marine energy storage company sets new safety benchmark, bolstering the safe use of lithium batteries for commercial marine vessels

    VANCOUVER, CANADA – 2 March 2021 – Marine and industrial energy storage expert, Sterling PlanB (SPBES) has announced that it is now fully certified under new 2020 class rules for commercial vessel batteries set out by classification society DNV GL.

    As an early adopter of the certification, SPBES becomes one of the first energy storage solutions (ESS) providers to adhere to the new testing standard, which substantially mitigates the risk of the spread of fire by eliminating the propagation of thermal runaway within a battery module.

    Securing the type approval certification required extreme testing conditions. Across nine separate tests – conducted for Sterling PlanB and observed by DNV GL –  all standards were met.

    Brent Perry, CEO, Sterling PlanB, commented:

    “After many months of rigorous testing, we’re proud to have been certified under this new standard. While these standards from DNV GL are stringent, they are vital for the safety of commercial vessels using energy storage. Our focus at Sterling PlanB has always been on building the safest and most robust energy storage solution possible. We have never shied away from the fact that there are risks to installing high capacity lithium batteries and energy storage units on vessels, which must be treated with the level of scrutiny and risk management as any other risks as sea.”

    These are the first significant change to testing standards from DNV GL since 2015, and follow a number of high-profile incidents involving thermal runaway. Previous requirements from DNV concluded testing upon the first sign of initial cell failure but before combustion. Revised testing rules demonstrate the clear value of cell-level liquid cooling to prevent adjacent cells from contributing to a fire in a battery.

    Sterling PlanB received certification including thermal runaway testing to IEC 62619:2017  in conjunction with DNV GL certified testing facility, LabTest Certification following testing of its 75ah, 85ah and 100ah NMC cells on 14-18 December 2020.

  • Sterling PlanB selected by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for Memorandum of Understanding

    Sterling PlanB selected by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for Memorandum of Understanding

    As pressure to reduce emissions increases, MOU looks toward expert sustainability solutions for Indian marine, defense and governmental sectors.

    Vancouver, Canada – February 9, 2021 – Industrial energy storage experts, Sterling PlanB (SPBES), and Government of India company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) have announced a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies. The MOU is intended to facilitate an increase in access to hybrid and fully electric propulsion and power solutions expertise throughout India.

    The MOU comes at a time when increasing pressure from international regulators to achieve emission reduction targets means that all facets of industry must rapidly adjust their operations. The growing economy and development of heavy industries in India, mean that many government and non-government operators in the region are looking to zero emissions and low carbon solutions.

    Under the MOU, GRSE and SPBES have desired “to explore avenues to collaborate to effectively leverage each other’s competence and strengths in adopting ‘Electric/Hybrid Propulsion’ in ships by way of undertaking new design development to offer state of the art environment friendly ships to customers”.

    “We are very pleased to be selected by such a respected and important organization” said Sterling PlanB CEO Brent Perry. “Their shipbuilding expertise in India is second to none. We look forward to working with GRSE to provide their team with strategic expertise in the practical application of energy storage solutions.”

    “Ships transport about 80 percent of the world’s commodities and maritime transport is responsible for almost 2.5 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge today is therefore to find effective solutions to move away from the use of fossil fuels. Energy storage devices are now finding effective utilization in ferries and inland water transport. As a leading shipbuilder in the country, GRSE looks forward to working with SPBES, which is a leader in providing niche energy storage technology to bring viable solutions for environmental-friendly transportation across the vast inland waterways of the country.” Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, Rear Admiral V K Saxena IN.

    The team at Sterling PlanB is the most experienced on the planet. Their purpose designed energy storage systems are engineered to the highest standards of performance, safety, and efficiency. These systems are designed to integrate with existing electrical infrastructure and deliver significant operational benefits for vessels running on electric or hybrid power.

  • Sterling PlanB, Technology Ventures Middle East Marine Services Announce MENA Sales and Service Partnership

    As pressure to achieve IMO regulations increases, this new partnership provides sustainability solutions for the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka marine sectors.

    Vancouver, Canada – February 2, 2021 – Industrial energy storage experts, Sterling PlanB, and technical sales and service company Technology Ventures Middle East Marine Services have announced a new partnership agreement. Aimed at expanding access to purpose-designed energy storage solutions to the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka based marine customers, the partners will increase access to hybrid and fully electric propulsion and power solutions throughout the region.

    The partnership comes at a time when increasing pressure from the IMO to achieve regulatory targets means that many marine companies must rapidly adjust their operations to reduce emissions. The growing marine industry in the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka mean that many vessel operators in the region are looking to zero emissions and low carbon solutions.

    Under the new partnership, Technology Ventures Middle East Marine Services will provide their customers with Sterling PlanB energy storage solutions for marine vessels, supporting not only fuel and cost-saving operations, but also more sustainable long-term solutions to meet emissions reduction targets.

    “We have worked with Technology Ventures on many projects and always experienced an excellent level of service and support.  This Agreement is a natural extension of our existing relationship and we are thrilled to be expanding our commercial partnership with Arun and his team at Technology Ventures.  There is no better partner in the UAE to distribute, integrate and service Sterling PlanB energy storage solutions,” said Paul Hughes, President of Sterling PlanB. “The regions that Technology Ventures operates in are of great importance to us as the pace of decarbonizing the fleets in the region gathers pace.  We look forward to rapidly expanding our business in the Middle East with the support of Technology Ventures”.

    Sterling PlanB’s energy storage systems are engineered to the highest standards of performance and safety, are designed specifically to integrate with any electrical infrastructure, delivering significant operational and efficiency benefits for vessels running on electric or hybrid power. The system is the only lithium energy storage system third-party verified to fully prevent thermal runaway.

    Arun Sudarsan, Division Manager Technical and Services at Technology Ventures Middle East Marine Services said, “this partnership provides a unique avenue for Technology Ventures to grow its business in clean technology with world-class energy storage products and high standard of service that we are already known for. We are proud to add the Sterling PlanB product line to our portfolio.”

  • Energy Storage Veterans – Lithium-ion Battery Fire Safety Redefined A Template for the Next Generation of Lithium-ion Safety Starting Today

    Vancouver, Canada/ Trondheim, Norway – November 25, 2015 – Lithium-ion Pioneers from PBES today announced the worlds first ever commercialized thermal runaway suppression system.

    The historic challenge for lithium-ion batteries has always been that they catch fire.

    No More.

     

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  • Energy Storage Veterans Set Sights on Industrial Marine Markets in Europe

    World’s most powerful industrial energy storage set to take marine propulsion sector . Trondheim, Norway, October 20, 2015 – Battery company PBES, leading the world in safe and powerful battery systems for industrial applications, will begin manufacturing in Trondheim, Norway early in 2016.

    Erik Ianssen, CEO of Selfa, a leading Norwegian shipyard and design company, will head up PBES Norway AS. Known for his innovations such as the fully electric fishing vessel Elmax 1099, Erik has a reputation for best in class quality products and has great knowledge of the local marine business. PBES Norway will serve industrial markets in Europe and abroad as demand dictates.

    “Erik brings great experience, credibility and knowledge to the Norwegian operations”, said Brent Perry, CEO, PBES. “His commitment to helping the marine industry adopt clean technology is based upon a personal desire to reduce pollution, make the world a better place, and support Norway in its environmental leadership. This commitment, combined with his personal reputation, makes him the ideal partner for our operations in Norway”.

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