After installing the first marine-charging network for electric boats in the United Kingdom in Plymouth, Aqua superPower is leading a consortium that has secured government funding to explore the development of bi-directional boat charging.
The Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels project brings together two UK businesses, Aqua superPower and smart-energy company Indra. The companies are working with independent low-emission transport expert Cenex and the University of Plymouth.
“We are proud to have been successful in winning our second Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition project, which is evidence of Aqua superPower’s marine charging expertise and industry authority,” Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower, said in a statement. “As project lead, we look forward to working with our highly experienced consortium partners towards decarbonizing the marine sector and to accelerate the transition to clean alternative propulsion systems.”
The consortium will carry out a feasibility study to determine the financial, technical and operational business case for the deployment of bi-directional charging infrastructure in the marine sector. The study will evaluate the environmental benefits of bi-directional boat charging.
The core benefit of bi-directional charging is its ability to access and store greener energy for later use. Indra’s technology forms the foundation for the project’s marine application, adding equipment required for near-shore and inland marine vessels. Aqua superPower adds its knowledge as an electric charge point operator in the marine sector.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the exciting potential that bidirectional charging could bring to the marine sector, essentially turning ships into mobile battery storage units to help save money, carbon and the planet,” Mike Schooling, founder and CTO at Indra, said in the statement.
Aqua superPower will manage the project and be responsible for developing a commercial business case for the deployment of bi-directional charging and designing a demonstration plan for the technology.
