Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower explains: “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 integrate more renewables. We are proud to lead this vital project that demonstrates Aqua superPower’s first class marine charging expertise and positions the UK as a vessel-to-grid technology pioneer.”
The VBEV project will demonstrate the opportunity for bi-directional (V2X) infrastructure to utilise marine batteries to provide energy storage and management services to harbours, ports and the grid, minimising costly grid upgrades, reducing energy bills and increasing renewables integration.
Two vessel OEMs, energy company EDF, the University of Plymouth, City College of Plymouth, the CENEX research centre and bi-directional software provider Fuuse form the project consortium, which is funded under the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (SHORE) programme and delivered via Innovate UK.
The project introduces software upgrades, communication protocol adoption and innovative charge controllers into electric vessels. This integration enables seamless communication between batteries and bi-directional chargers, laying the foundation for a vessel-to-grid management platform. This platform empowers optimal charge and discharge scheduling, maximising energy efficiency.
VBEV will test two pivotal scenarios: vessel-to-grid, exporting energy to the grid for flexibility and balancing services, and a behind-the-meter solution for enhanced on-site energy management. These scenarios cater to the diverse needs of ports, harbours, vessel operators and grid network operators.
With the electric vessel industry on the rise, this initiative promises a scalable future with benefits ranging from improved battery health to reduced operational costs and revenue generation. VBEV 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, and provide world-leading research and development of a commercial product for customers.
As the pioneer behind the initiative, the VBEV project positions the UK at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. Beyond technological innovation, this endeavour opens substantial opportunities for UK supply chains and export, putting the nation on the global map of maritime leadership.
Dr Lee Durndell, lecturer in chemistry at the University of Plymouth, sums up: “This project is another important step in the UK’s transition to clean maritime technologies. There is clear appetite from both vessel and harbour owners to see the sector grow over the coming years, but technical questions remain that need to be answered. One of those is around battery performance and health and this project will begin addressing that, while aligning with the growing commercial interest in clean maritime and how it can be rolled out more widely.”
The VBEV demonstration project is part of Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by UK SHORE and delivered by Innovate UK. The UK SHORE programme is a £206 million initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
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