ABS evaluates the latest marine battery technologies
Written by Marine Log Staff
Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in decarbonizing the maritime industry. Currently lithium-ion are the most prominent technology. but they have their limitations and some promising new alternatives in marine batteries are emerging. A new ABS white paper, Emerging Battery Technologies in the Maritime Industry, covers the different technologies relevant to maritime applications, giving pros and cons for each and analyzing their maturity compared to lithium-ion.
“As hybrid and all-electric vessels become more common as a means of reducing emissions, improved battery technology will be a requirement to ensure efficient and effective operation of environmentally safe systems,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS senior vice president, global engineering and technology. “With so many developing technologies relying on a high-power, high-energy source of electricity, it is imperative that new battery technologies are developed and implemented. This overview is a practical demonstration of how ABS is committed to supporting the safe adoption of these emerging technologies.”
The report notes that some research indicates lithium-ion batteries have very nearly reached their theoretical limit in energy and power density. This limits their potential for maritime applications where higher power and energy levels are needed, as more space is needed for a larger battery system to accommodate increased electrical load requirements.
Among the emerging technologies considered in the ABS study are metal-air batteries, REDOX flow batteries, ammonia batteries and solid state batteries. These potential alternatives are in different stages of research, but may show promise for battery systems to become more practical and widespread in maritime applications in the future.
Categories: News, Technology
