Technology group Wärtsilä has developed and delivered a mobile battery container solution that will enable inland waterway vessels to operate with zero emissions.
The first order, comprising three units, was placed by ZES (Zero Emission Services), a Netherlands-based company, and two containers were delivered in June this year.
The battery containers are installed on a 104-TEU inland waterway container vessel, which has been modified to allow two units to be mounted onboard. It enables the vessel to operate on full electric power alone, with no carbon emissions being generated. The energy capacity is equivalent to that of approximately 36 electric passenger cars.
When discharged, the containers can be exchanged and charged onshore using energy from renewable sources.
This replaceability is unique since battery containers have thus far been stationary installations, says Wärtsilä.
“Within the Dutch transport sector, inland navigation accounts for 5% of the CO2 emissions. Ships participating in the ZES service will eliminate around 1000 tonnes of CO2 and seven tonnes of NOx per year,” says Willem Dedden, CEO of ZES.
The Wärtsilä swappable battery container is equipped with safety systems, including an onboard fire protection skid. It is connected for remote monitoring. The operational and certification trials were carried out commencing at the end of August.
The concept, which is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, is based on a network of open access charging points. Here, depleted battery containers can be exchanged for fully charged replacements. A ‘pay-per-use’ model has been set up whereby ZES charges only for the cost of consumed renewable energy.
This allows the vessel’s operating costs to remain competitive.
The first vessel fitted with the battery containers, the Alphenaar, commenced operations along the Zoeterwoude – Alpherium – Moerdijk corridor in the Netherlands on September 6.
It transports beer for Heineken, who is the first customer for the service.
