Power Banks from Disused Bus Batteries May Solve RoRo Ferry Charging Problems

EUROPE – Much has been made lately of the longevity of new generation batteries being put to a second use after their practical life powering cars has ended. Although they may lack the energy for their original purpose the cells have the potential for as much as twenty five years of useful life serving a different industry sector. Now Stena Line has extended this ability with its recent work on recharging vessels whilst docked.

In a project part financed by the EU work will be undertaken to, among other things, investigate how used batteries from the transport sector can be reused for energy storage in ports. Batteryloop* is a subsidiary of the Stena Recycling Group. The company has quickly made an impact in electrification, not least in the recycling of used batteries from the automotive industry. A global collaboration agreement was recently signed with Volvo Buses, for the reuse of batteries from its electric vehicles. Rasmus Bergström, Batteryloop Managing Director observed:

“An incredible amount is happening in the world of batteries. New solutions are being designed to meet the charging requirements of the transport sector of the future, especially for shipping where vessels are starting to switch to electric power. Rapidly charging a large ferry, for example, requires a huge amount of energy in a short time and it’s not certain that the electricity grid will be able to deliver it. Local energy stores at ports could offer a great solution to this problem.

“One thing is sure, batteries are here to stay. In order to conserve natural resources and make battery recycling sustainable, we need to do everything we can to use batteries for as long as possible. Our conclusion is that many batteries can have a second life as energy storage. If we can find solutions that will scale-up and work in ports, we’ll have a win-win situation in many ways.”

The project will map and evaluate opportunities to reuse lithium-ion batteries from the transport and automotive industry for energy storage in ports, to charge electric ferries, for example. The collaboration includes several Stena companies, Batteryloop, Stena Recycling, Stena Rederi and Stena Line, the ports of Gothenburg and Kiel and the accreditation company DNV GL. The project will be carried out over two years and be part-financed by INEA, the EU’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.

Quayside energy storage can also be used as an alternative power source for vessels in port, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Stena Line and the Port of Gothenburg have long been pioneers in this area and all Stena Line ferries are connected to green onshore power in Gothenburg. As early as 2018, Stena Line began its investment in battery power on the ferry Stena Jutlandica, which uses battery power to drive the bow thrusters that steer the vessel into port. Per Wimby, project manager for electrification at Stena Teknik commented on the latest move, saying:

“This is an important milestone in the electrification of shipping. Our future project, Stena Elektra, a fully electric ferry, is already on the drawing board. In order to succeed, we need to solve the issue of how to quickly charge a ferry. Energy storage at ports using recycled batteries, is a very interesting and sustainable alternative for the future.”