Batteries are and will be an essential part of decarbonization going forward - MBF Chair, Ellen Sofie Ottesen (Edda Wind)
What are some of the biggest challenges to the maritime battery industry? How do we bridge the gap and increase it’s adoption rate ?
MBF Chair and Chief Technology Officer of Edda Wind, Ellen Sofie Ottesen gives a technical overview of the current situation, important focus points and the role of maritime batteries in the long run.
Ellen Sofie Ottesen, right
MBF - Please introduce yourself and your company
Ellen Sofie Ottesen - Ellen Sofie Ottesen, Chief Technology Officer in Edda Wind and Chair of the MBF Board.
I have recently changed jobs from an offshore vessel owner operating in a combination of oil and gas and the renewable industry to a vessel owner operating purely in renewables. The previous Company was Eidesvik Offshore and new one is Edda Wind. Both vessel owners and operate vessels from West Cost Norway close to Haugesund city supplying service to oil/gas/offshore wind farms. Even of changing company, the content of my work and responsibilities are similar from old to new position, meaning responsible for new technology including newbuilding projects and sustainable operations.
MBF - How does your job relate to maritime batteries?
E.S.O - Battery system on the type of vessels operated within the company is a very important part of the required energy efficiency operational wise with respect to all involved stakeholders. Relevant stakeholders vary in the rage of from who’s paying the fuel, maintaining the vessel systems, reporting emissions to finance institutions (here only a few mentioned).
MBF - What drew you to maritime battery technology?
E.S.O - In the work of finding new interesting technology which give a substantial importance and impact for reducing emission, battery systems were found to be a very interesting technology to be integrated in existing vessel’s system while the vessels are running on conventional fuel. But looking at and assessing the coming zero emission technologies, battery systems will still be highly essential when building vessels for zero emission operation and when rebuilding vessels to the same.
MBF - There are many organizations promoting decarbonization in the maritime industry, why did you choose the MBF?
E.S.O - I believe in the good match between a strong technology focus for a wide specter of the “battery community” and the possibility of finding possibilities for constructive non-competitive exchange of knowledge, competence and experience, was the most important reason for choosing MBF. In addition, there are few similar organisations in Europe with the focus on the combination of maritime and batteries.
MBF - Contributing your knowledge and simply collaborating with other members was possibly sufficient. Why did you choose to become a board member?
E.S.O - I believe the battery community needs a to have focus not only of the technology development, but also on the operating aspect for the (end) users (read: ship owners/operators) and I found it interesting when I was asked to contribute, and thereby also to keep sort of a balance in the board with different segments of the battery community.
“The possibility of finding possibilities for constructive non-competitive exchange of knowledge, competence and experience, was the most important reason for choosing MBF”
MBF - Looking back at developments in battery technology over the last ten years, what for you could be considered the most significant steps in the right direction?
E.S.O - From my point of view, is the increased focus and quality on installing safe and reliable systems onboard serving the intention of the wanted energy efficiency, the most important steps. We cannot afford and allow, as a responsible industry, to get incidents that could have been avoided if the ongoing development had stopped/got less attention.
MBF - What do you think is the future of batteries in the maritime industry?
E.S.O - I strongly believe the batteries is and will be an essential part of decarbonation going forward, either as a 100% or partly energy provider onboard. Whether it is rebuilding or newbuilds, large or small vessels, a combining of batteries and zero emission technology, I’m sure batteries will be needed to achieve the wanted emission reduction required going forward towards the full decarbonating.
MBF - What, in your opinion, are some of the biggest challenges to the maritime battery industry?
E.S.O - The cost of the systems is still quite high, therefore it is difficult to find sustainable commercial models to invest in battery systems, in particular for smaller companies. The emission fees will increase over time and will improve the incentives for choosing more expensive equipment. Also the transoceanic operations with the large vessels will benefit (much) less of the energy storing from batteries than ships with operation closer to the coast. To find a way of utilizing the battery technology of oceangoing vessels, I think will increase the use of maritime batteries.
The second large challenge I see, is the recirculation of batteries in a sustainable way when decommissioned. Still we, as a responsible industry, has a long way to go in this aspect. As the third item I want to highlight, is more of a general battery industry problem, is not to lose out on further development using (to as large extent as possible) sustainable materials in production of batteries.
MBF - What do you think can increase the adoption rate of maritime batteries?
E.S.O - To increase the adoption of installing batteries onboard vessels, I think the work of continuously promoting the good features of batteries gives (i.e. information) and to get more commercial attractiveness for emission reducing equipment as batteries (i.e cost incentives) are two important factors.
MBF - Where do you see the maritime battery forum in the next five years?
E.S.O - In the next five years I hope and believe the MBF is regarded as the most relevant forum for the maritime industry.