AYK unveils swappable battery for propulsion and shoreside power
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy is preparing to launch what it describes as the world’s first swappable containerised marine battery system, designed to provide both propulsion energy for vessels and temporary power while ships are in port.
The company will unveil its new ‘Cosmos’ battery at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg this week, following completion of its New Technology Qualification (TQ) stage. AYK says it is already receiving orders for the system, which has reached a level of maturity suitable for the start of class approval.
The key feature of Cosmos is that its batteries can be loaded onto a vessel and exchanged between voyages, rather than being permanently installed in a dedicated battery room.
According to AYK founder Chris Kruger, batteries can be charged off-site, transported to port and loaded onto vessels according to the energy required for a particular voyage. Multiple battery units could be loaded for fully electric short-sea operations, while units could also be removed and replaced between trips.
This means the system is intended primarily as a propulsion battery for hybrid and fully electric vessels, rather than simply as a shoreside charging system.
Shoreside power
However, AYK says the same containerised batteries can also be used for temporary hotel-load power while a vessel is alongside.
The company also says Cosmos can be permanently installed for hybrid or fully electric vessels, giving owners the option of using the technology as a conventional fixed marine battery system rather than as a swappable solution.
“The beauty is in the ease and flexibility of use,” Kruger said. “Our containerised batteries can be stacked onshore and charged off-site to be transported to ports when required. They can then be loaded onto vessels at speed and tailored to voyage energy requirements.”
He said the approach could reduce the engineering associated with installing large battery systems onboard, including the need for a dedicated battery room.
“Cosmos will simplify installation, reduce engineering complexity, lower project costs and speed up implementation,” Kruger said.
For operators, the swappable configuration could also separate the battery charging operation from the vessel itself. Battery containers could be charged onshore while a vessel is operating, then exchanged when the ship reaches port, potentially reducing turnaround times for electrically powered vessels.
AYK is initially targeting ferries, RoPax and passenger vessels, but says the system is also suitable for tugboats, feeder vessels, hybrid commercial craft, fully electric vessels and other workboats.
The company says Cosmos incorporates eight independent levels of safety, along with IP67 protection and an A60 fire rating.
The launch represents another step in AYK’s push to reduce the barriers to marine electrification. The company previously secured DNV marine certification for LFP batteries and was founded by Kruger, who has worked on electric and hybrid vessels including the hybrid ferry Prinsesse Benedikte and the fully electric ferry Ampere.
