CellCube and Portliner have signed a strategic agreement
CellCube and Portliner have signed a strategic agreement to build a sustainable zero emission solution for the maritime market for electrified vessels and the related bunker and recharging infrastructure.
CellCube, the global tech leader for vanadium redox flow batteries and PortLiner, waterborne transport innovator have kicked off a breakthrough project for decarbonizing the inland shipping sector.
Wiener Neudorf, Austria, November 25th, 2021 – Enerox GmbH under its global brand CellCube and E-PortLiner B.V under its global brand PortLiner have signed Head of Terms to build together with Werkina a maritime flow battery solution for the all-electric propulsion of an inland vessel and a recharging pontoon. Parties will demonstrate the feasibility of flow battery technology for decarbonizing inland water transport as well as how flow batteries contribute to the energy transition of ports in building large-scale battery recharging infrastructure both onshore and waterborne. The concept based VRFB technology (vanadium redox flow battery) will ensure integration of wind and solar power into the water transport’s energy mix, providing all-electric propulsion and putting an end to the use of conventional fossil fuels.
Flow battery technology is well developed and offers a competitive and viable way forward towards decarbonization of maritime operations. In Vanadium redox-flow batteries, electric energy is stored in a liquid electrolyte that is non-flammable and non-explosive and that can be stored under ambient conditions. When the electricity is consumed, the electrolyte can be recharged, alternatively, the depleted electrolyte is swapped with recharged electrolyte.
In a partnership CellCube, PortLiner and Werkina have developed an integral clean energy storage system for electric vessels, including a waterborne storage and recharging unit (pontoon). The vessel’s rated AC power is designed at a level of up to 1.5 MW, with energy capacity at 6.25 MWh. The first recharging pontoon is planned to be operated with up to 2 MW power and a capacity of up to 25 MWh. This approach will allow for an all-electric radius of at least 350 kilometers. The waterborne recharging pontoons will be used for refueling vessels with recharged electrolyte. In addition, these pontoons can act like a floating energy storage system and provide power and energy services for onshore applications such as backup power for critical infrastructure, port electrification or provision of grid services.
‘We are actually bringing a new dimension to the maritime world’, Alexander Schoenfeldt, CEO of Enerox, brand owner of CellCube, says and continues ‘The worldwide maritime sector generates a significant CO2 footprint. The need for decarbonization is meanwhile broadly recognized and demanded. We are excited that with our sustainable long duration energy storage expertise to contribute to the success the energy transformation of this important sector.’
The CEO of Portliner, Ton van Meegen, adds ‘Our aim is “zero emission” shipping, in a safe and reliable way, at competitive rates. Vanadium redox flow battery technology is well-developed and perfectly viable for shipping allowing autonomy of multiple days Furthermore, flow battery technology is not limited to new vessels – existing vessels with conventional diesel engines can be retrofitted and converted into zero emission all-electric ships.’
CellCube and Portliner are excited to jointly offer a zero emission technology solution to the maritime markets delivering the vessel and pontoon throughout 2022 for the first trip.
Contact: Yvonne Steinhaeusser, Yvonne.Steinhaeusser@cellcube.com +43 676 843 669 126
About CellCube – Enerox GmbH
Under its trademark ‘CellCube’ the Austrian based Enerox GmbH develops, manufactures and distributes vanadium redox flow batteries. ‘VRFB’s are sustainable, long-duration energy storage systems, improving and securing the consumption of energy from renewable sources. Enerox is a developing pioneer and the global technology and industry leader in its field of operation. The bankable VRFB systems suite various microgrid applications alongside four focussed business segments comprising: renewable energy storage for industrial customers, commercial and private deployment, green energy storage for remote microgrids and island solutions as well as long-term back-up systems for green and critical infrastructure facilities. CellCube systems are currently operating in over 130 sites on the planet.
About E-PortLiner
Zero emission inland shipping will play a prominent role. PortLiner is proud of its achievements so far and thrilled by the challenges we see for the future. We invite you to be part of our journey, towards sustainable waterborne transport. Our aim is “zero emission” shipping, deploying all-electric vessels equipped with flow batteries. PortLiner’s battery recharging strategy allows for additional battery deployment in electricity markets, as well as for mobile off-grid applications. PortLiner has identified flow batteries as a perfectly viable alternative for inland shipping, without the downsides of lithium-ion but with the upside of operational efficiency and competitive operational and investment cost.
About Werkina BV
Werkina is one of most experienced and successful maritime installation companies in the region. The secret of our success? If the situation calls for it, we’re stubborn enough to swim against the tide. But we’re also smart enough to know when that tide has turned and it’s time to change tack. And sometimes we even chart a new course for the entire sector – like we did in 1996, when we introduced our Digital Operating System (DBS) with touchscreen interface. This was quickly adopted as the new standard for ship operating systems. And we can thank DBS for our current reputation in the shipping sector as an innovative, creative and trendsetting player. Werkina can handle the design, engineering and construction of complete electrical systems for a wide range of maritime applications. But we first made a name for ourselves as a supplier to the shipping sector.