Ebusco batteries to be used in Oechies hydrogen ship
Ebusco has signed a framework agreement to supply Oechies Elektrotechniek with battery packs for inland navigation for one year. The contract initially covers the delivery of 36 battery packs with a total capacity of around 1 MWh for the WEVA Antonie 1, the first new build hydrogen-powered inland vessel.
Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen will build the 135-metre-long WEVA Antonie 1 on behalf of Lenten Shipping. With a deadweight capacity of 3,700 tonnes, the vessel will be used to transport salt between Delfzijl and the port of Rotterdam. Specifically, 36 battery packs with a total energy content of 1,089 kWh will be installed in it, controlled by six battery management systems. This should be able to completely replace a “large diesel generator”.
In total, the framework agreement between Ebusco and Oechies Elektrotechniek covers more than ten megawatt-hours of battery capacity. So eight or nine more ships could be built with battery systems of this size – and if the size of the batteries differs, it could be more or fewer ships.
Ebusco’s maritime batteries are certified for marine use and use LFP cells. These have been tested for water tightness and fire safety, says Ebusco. Thus, its maritime batteries “are not only an extremely safe choice but also boast high power density and stability”.
“The completion of the first-ever new-build hydrogen-powered barge is an important step to make the sector more sustainable,” says Johan van der Sluis, director at Oechies Elektrotechniek. “We are excited to partner with other pioneers in the energy transition for the realization of this project. Thanks to Ebusco’s longstanding experience in the transition to zero emission buses, we can rely on an experienced and smart partner in the field of battery technology.”
Peter Bijvelds, CEO of Ebusco, added: “Over the past ten years, we have gained extensive experience in applying batteries to large energy consumers. By extending our battery technology expertise to other industries, we can make an even greater contribution on our way to zero-emission transport.”
Incidentally, when the WEVA Antonie 1 is underway with its fuel cell battery propulsion system, it will not be the only electric inland vessel in the port of Rotterdam. The shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) and the shipbuilder Holland Shipyards Group have announced the conversion of ten ships in 2022, starting with the ‘FPS Maas’, which will transport container freight emission-free between Rotterdam and Antwerp.
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