2024 January/February Marina World

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS & PROJECTS
Whitepaper illuminates key
role of bi-directional charging
UK-based Aqua superPower has released an important whitepaper shedding
light on the immense potential of Vessel-to-Everything (V2X) technology for
the maritime industry. The landmark report rounds off the Virtual Bunkering
of Electric Vessels (VBEV) project, which was funded by the UK Government
to assess the financial, technical and operational feasibility of bi-directional
charging infrastructure in the maritime sector.
V2X is the overarching term for using
bi-directional charging technology to
transfer the energy stored by electric
vessel batteries to the grid, buildings or
load. With a sharp focus on the value
of V2X technology for electric vessels,
the VBEV project seeks to drive the
sector’s decarbonisation and foster
the development of a robust marine
V2X ecosystem, enabling widespread
adoption.
Battery electric vessels have been
identified as a cornerstone in the UK
Government’s Clean Maritime Plan,
particularly for short to medium range
vessels like ferries, workboats and
recreational boats. Furthermore, these
batteries can also be seamlessly
integrated with alternative fuels to
create hybrid systems for vessels with
longer range requirements.
Upgrades at marinas, harbours
and ports are anticipated to include
charging infrastructure and shore
power, dramatically increasing power
demand and grid capacity, and
reshaping dynamic between the energy
and maritime sectors. As the adoption
of battery electric vessels surges,
substantial investments in enabling
infrastructure at both system and site
levels are indispensable.
The paper, titled ‘The Opportunity for
Bi-directional Charging in the Maritime
Sector’, offers crucial insights into the
cross-sector maritime V2X possibilities,
including:
• Enhancing energy flexibility and
energy arbitrage services to support the
power grid, thus promoting renewable
energy generation, grid resilience and
energy security.
• Seamlessly integrating battery
electric vessels into marina energy
management, optimising onsite
renewables, managing grid constraints
and reducing energy costs.
• Revolutionising the financial model
for electric vessels by generating
consistent revenue from V2X services,
ultimately reducing the lifetime costs of
vessel ownership.
• Capitalising on the projected
growth of battery electric vehicles,
advancements in V2X technologies,
escalating demand for renewables
and the maturation of energy markets
to drive the maritime sector towards
net-zero emissions and economic
opportunities.
The paper aims to underscore
the pivotal role V2X can play in the
maritime sector and the wealth of
opportunities it presents. It also outlines
the key steps necessary to make
marine V2X a reality, emphasising
the critical need for universal
communication standards among
OEMs, utilities and charging companies
to accelerate adoption.
In conjunction with the paper, Cenex
(UK Centre of Excellence for Low
Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies) has
also published a report titled ‘Vessel-to-
Grid: An Analysis of Revenue Streams
and Vessel Archetypes for Bi-Directional
Charging of Electric Vessels.’ As part of
the VBEV project, this report zeros in
on the value of V2G for electric vessels,
providing a comprehensive perspective
on the immense potential of V2X
technology in the maritime sector.
“Aqua superPower is proud to
lead the exploration of the future of
maritime technology,” notes Adam
Marshall, chief technology officer. “This
whitepaper illuminates the potential of
technology as a transformative force in
the maritime sector. It underscores how
bi-directional charging infrastructure
can empower electric vessels as not
only consumers, but as contributors
to the grid, enhancing sustainability
goals, reducing operational costs
and catalysing an industry-wide shift
towards clean energy solutions.”
Aqua superPower CEO, Alex
Bamberg, explains that V2X is not
only a relatively novel concept in the
maritime sector but is also in its infancy
in the automotive industry, where it is in
early stages of commercialisation with
significant research and development
projects ongoing. “The VBEV project
sets the stage for a groundbreaking
UK demonstrator of bi-directional
boat charging, poised to unlock the
substantial opportunities and benefits
that this transformative technology
offers to the maritime sector. We are
proud to play a leading role in making
V2X a reality for the benefit of all
stakeholders,” he says.
www.marinaworld.com – January/February 2024
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