Public Funding for Aqua Superpower Limited

The CanUK vessel-to-grid (V2G) project brings together a UK and Canadian consortia, working collaboratively to develop the world's first vessel-to-grid project. V2G is the use of bi-directional charging technology, enabling energy to be passed to and from an e-vessel battery, utilising the batteries aboard to open up opportunities for carbon reduction of fleets/ports/harbours, a reduction in e-vessel operating costs, grid flexibility services and an acceleration of e-vessel uptake. This international partnership will install bi-directional charging alongside e-vessels in both Plymouth, UK and Halifax, Canada. These real-world installations will have V2G capabilities across software and hardware shoreside and on aboard the vessels. Dual locations provide contrasting environmental and operational conditions, showing bi-directional movement of energy to/from the vessel battery and its ability to perform key energy services offering increased energy security. The technology innovation of V2G requires the adoption of key communication protocols to enable interoperability between vessels, chargers, grid and software management systems. The supply chain is represented in the UK with RS Electric (vessel manufacturer), RAD Propulsion (drive solutions) and Aqua superPower (marine chargepoint operator). They are supported by the University of Plymouth with expertise in marine electrification and battery chemistry. Canadian partners are led by Rimot (marine V2G software), COVE (marine technology and marine market experts), Lennox Island First Nation (skills training) and Dalhousie University providing knowledge of battery energy systems. CanUK will adopt/adapt bi-directional technology from the automotive sector to operate in the marine environment. Lab testing of equipment and batteries will enhance understanding of operational/environmental parameters of marine batteries. V2G standards will be integrated into RSE 63kWh workboats with R&D on the battery/drive solutions. A management platform will integrate all components and testing will prove interoperability. With no specific regulation for marine V2G currently in place best practice will be collaboratively produced in conjunction with key regulators. The balance of the cross-border consortium will enable co-development of a V2G ecosystem with support on the integration of V2G standards, battery R&D and energy market integration. There are clear routes to market in UK/Canada for collaborative commercial partnerships, opening up new markets and enabling growth of UK/Canadian economies. Universities and commercial partners will benefit from ongoing academic R&D partnerships.  CanUK will prove the value of marine V2G, developing clear customer product/service offers across the consortium. Solutions tested on site locations with key stakeholders/end-users for whom the new solution will result in carbon reductions and vessel operating cost savings.

The Zero Emission Tourist Vessel ('ZETour') project will develop a high duty cycle, electric tour vessel, plus supporting charging infrastructure, and demonstrate its technical and commercial viability on the River Thames. Using a new design of 30m long, class V vessel, the electric propulsion system and charging infrastructure will be tested and operated to a full commercial timetable over a 2-week period, carrying c.2000 passengers per day between Tower Bridge and Westminster, providing the UK's first ZE tourist vessel of this kind. Onshore charging infrastructure will also be established in a prime central London location to provide the short charging times necessary for the high duty cycle of a tour vessel. Having demonstrated the technical and commercial viability of this vessel, there is a ready-made market for the roll out of ZE vessels and new marine charging infrastructure in London. This will assist the UK's progress towards the Government's Net-Zero goals, Clean Maritime Plan and Maritime 2050's vision for ZE shipping.

The Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels demonstration (VBEV) will build upon the CMDC2 feasibility study to deliver the World's first vessel-to-grid demonstration project. It will show how batteries on electric vessels can be utilised when not in use for propulsion, to deliver energy storage and flexibility services to harbours, ports and the grid. This enabling infrastructure has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions on a system and a site level, accelerating the transition to clean maritime. Software upgrades, adoption of communication protocols and new charge controllers will be implemented into electric vessels which will enable the battery to communicate with the bi-directional charger. Combined with the development of a vessel-to-grid management platform, signals can then be sent to enable both charge and discharge of the battery at optimal times. Energy moved bi-directionally, can then be deployed in various scenarios to meet the needs of the key stakeholders including ports, harbours, vessel operators or grid network operators. VBEV will test two key scenarios. Firstly, vessel-to-grid whereby energy is exported to the grid network to offer flexibility and balancing services. Secondly, a behind the meter solution that enables greater energy management for the site, including the integration of renewable energy and energy arbitrage. Enhanced energy management will allow sites to better adapt to increasing demands on power from electrification of vessels, potentially reduce the grid connection where capacity is limited or costly and to integrate more renewables. Research will build on the feasibility study where the most suitable vessel archetypes for vessel-to-grid were identified, by gathering duty cycle data across a range of suitable vessel types. The project will also assess the impact upon battery health in a marine setting and possible regulatory impacts. Through the project we will build a business model with a product offering to sites, vessel owners and operators. With the growth of electric vessels, this technology has massive scale-up potential and through a robust business model there can be benefits from improved battery health, reduced running costs and revenue generation. The World first the project will put the UK at the forefront of vessel-to-grid technology and offer significant opportunities for UK supply chains and for export. The project will produce the first vessels capable of bi-directional power transfer, set a standard for other vessel manufacturers, develop a vessel-to-grid management platform, provide world leading research and development of a commercial product for customers.

This project develops previous results from CMDC1 feasibility study "Cross River Zero Emissions Ferry" (Project number 10008713) to a real-world demonstrator of the vessel and supporting infrastructure. The objectives being to build the vessel with all requisite regulatory approval and to construct and install infrastructure to support implementation on the example cross river route on the river Thames between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe. The intent is the demonstration will exceed the minimum service period required under the funding to provide a long-term evaluation in terms of energy efficiency, emissions reductions, societal impacts, operating costs and to provide a continuing development platform for the refinement of autonomous energy management, modal controls / machine learning to further reduce energy consumption. The consortium is formed of the original project partners, Thames Clippers (vessel operations), BAE (propulsion and controls), Wight Shipyard Company (vessel / berth construction and systems integration), Beckett Rankine (civil engineering and infrastructure) and supporting sub-contractors. We have added Aqua superPower to provide additional support with shore-based charging and grid connection. All partners have a proven track record in their individual disciplines and working in teams with experience of delivering previous successful CMDC projects. The vessel concept is a passenger and bicycle ferry incorporating end embarkation / disembarkation on a flow through principle improving passenger experience, which in combination with automatic mooring, reduces turnround time and overall journey time. The purely electric propulsion combined with potential green / renewable electricity supply provides the opportunity for a truly zero emission waterborne passenger transit system. The opportunity to optimise energy usage by intelligent energy management enhances existing electric vessel technology by providing the opportunity to increase efficiency / minimise overall energy usage and additional stress on the supply grid associated with electrification projects, meeting targets of net zero by 2050\. The route chosen for the demonstration will remove a conventional diesel-powered vessel providing a significant reduction in emissions in the operating area. The demonstrator will also provide proof of concept with evidence it is capable of deployment on other routes both within the UK and overseas reinforcing the opportunity for wider exploitation by the UK based partners. The overall concept will enable new short cross river passenger ferry operations to be deployed easily with minimal shore side infrastructure development beyond power availability and the ability to install piles to accommodate the floating berths and brows to facilitate access from the river-banks.

The UK has a beautiful coastline that is integral to many communities but it also provides unique opportunities to engage with the water for commercial and leisure activities. The south coast of the UK has responded to the shift in maritime expectations over the past few years with many new businesses and technology developments for clean and green vessels. The Electric Seaway will provide a charging infrastructure network along the south coast to accelerate the transition to clean maritime. By providing 10 locations with charging installations and including 2 that also embed battery energy storage solutions where grid capacity is a challenge, this network will not only offer a blueprint for future networks but also provide much needed clarity for the whole supply chain. It will offer a standardised approach to e-charging in current and planned fully marinised charging technology and help to overcome the major barrier of limited grid capacity and thus level up infrastructure provision. Chargers installed will be able to provide increased power supply at 10 sites of up to 150 kws including 2 identified sites where battery energy storage will be installed. The World's first Electric Seaway will offer a mix of solutions to meet locations current and future needs, and this will provide a true network of charging, it could be classified as a green corridor but there is no defined route that vessels may take so we believe this Seaway is a flexible and responsive network supporting both commercial and leisure activities. With many ports and harbours already looking at e-vessels for their own operational fleets and private owners wanting to reduce emissions in an environment they enjoy. Aqua superPower will bring together this consortium to deliver the network in two years with the support of Innovate UK and DfT. The Electric Seaway will be an essential part of the sector's ability to develop, build and retrofit vessels incorporating clean propulsion options using batteries with a significant shift forward in a reduction of emissions. Aqua will be supported by the members of the UK Harbour Masters' Association, site locations for energy storage systems in BCP Council and South Hams District Council with leading industry partners in Denchi and across the whole Seaway the expertise from the University of Plymouth ensure environmental impacts and carbon reduction are monitored and fed back to policy makers for future planning.

Virtual bunkering enables aggregated electric boat batteries to provide additional value when not being used for propulsion. With the transition to electrically powered recreational and commercial craft, harbour and mariner charging infrastructure will be required. The provision of sufficient power at an affordable price to harbours and marinas represents one barrier to the widescale adoption of electric boats, the high upfront cost is another as well as potential battery degradation from infrequent use in leisure craft another. This project will help to resolve these barriers by enabling existing electric boats to support the charging infrastructure without the need for expensive grid upgrades by providing a virtual electricity bunker service, delivering managed battery conditioning support and enabling additional revenue generation for boat owners. This project brings together two leading UK businesses, electric boat charging operator, Aqua superPower and bi-directional charging manufacturer, Indra Renewable Technologies as well as research and technology experts Cenex and the University of Plymouth. The four partners will engage with electric boat builders, marina operators, the local and national grid as well as representatives of boat users to develop a detailed business case and plan for a world first demonstrator of Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels using bi-directional chargers.

Plymouth's Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL) will offer a network of shore-side charging facilities for electric marine vessels operating in Plymouth Sound. This innovative project will expand greatly on current activities, support new business growth and the development of further electric vessels. The presence of charging equipment on multiple sites will also create a test environment for vessels of all shapes and sizes. Plymouth Sound already has two operational electric vessels, and more are currently being designed and refitted. The infrastructure created through MeLL will enable continued growth and innovation, deliver considerable economic benefits and create a blueprint that can be adapted to fit ports and harbours across the UK. The project will bring together a consortia of partners with considerable expertise in this sector, comprising the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council, National Grid, Western Power Distribution, Princess Yachts, Plymouth Boat Trips and Aqua Superpower. Their collective experience and knowledge will provide Plymouth with a truly unique and ground-breaking facility. In essence, the project will look at every aspect of the process and infrastructure required for clean propulsion. It will take into account supply, location, viability, demand, types of end users and research areas for forward planning, predictions and solutions-based test environments. Key areas of work will include: •Identifying suitable locations for grid connections •Installing charging facilities •Supporting differing customer demands •Further understanding the market •Identifying opportunities linked to the FreePort scheme •Collecting data to support research into environmental and other impacts •Sharing details across all partners so the model can become an adaptable framework for other locations The inclusion of industry partners means we will be able to design solutions that take into account parameters such as duty cycle, size, speed and manoeuvrability. Bringing in National Grid and Western Power Distribution will support both local grid connections and knowledge exchange, but also develop an understanding around how shore-side charging can be rolled out nationally. We will also explore ways to standardise charging points as this will be a critical step for the future. The government has made considerable commitments around the deployment of electric vehicles on land, and the innovation required to make that achievable can also be applied on water. Plymouth is already fast becoming a cluster of excellence and growth in electrification and the MeLL project will ensure it continues leading that charge.