Battery adoption will continue to grow in the maritime industry, both in vessel and shoreside applications - MBF Board Member, Eileen Tausch (Crowley Shipping)
Could maritime batteries have multiple applications? What could be considered the most significant steps in the adoption of batteries in the maritime industry ?
In this detailed and insightful interview, MBF Board Member and Senior Engineer on Crowley’s Research and Development team, Eileen Tausch gives us a thorough breakdown of the primary drivers, important factors and major challenges in the adoption of maritime batteries, specifically in the United States.
Photo credit - Eileen Tausch at the Electric and Hybrid Marine Expo North America (2022)
MBF - Please introduce yourself and your company
Eileen Tausch - I am a senior engineer on Crowley’s Research and Development team focused on innovation activities and providing technical leadership for electrification and decarbonization efforts.
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and operated logistics, marine and energy solutions company serving commercial and government customers. Specific to the maritime industry, Crowley owns, operates, or manages a fleet of over 170 vessels, including tankers, articulated tug barges, container ships, LNG-powered container/roll-on, roll-off ships, and multipurpose tugboats and barges. Crowley will soon be adding an all-electric tugboat and a hybrid service operations vessel (SOV) to the fleet.
MBF - How does your job relate to maritime batteries?
Eileen Tausch - With corporate sustainability goals, Crowley is constantly investigating technology implementation to achieve our goals. Maritime batteries are a critical enabler for solutions advancing decarbonization, especially for harbor craft and offshore wind support vessels. My team tracks new technology, communicates the potential benefits, and develops innovative ways to incorporate solutions into our current fleet or new business opportunities
MBF - What drew you to maritime battery technology?
Eileen Tausch - I first entered the world of maritime battery technology while working at a ship design firm with a strong focus on ferries. We tracked the rise of electric ferries in Norway and saw the potential for a similar focus in the Pacific Northwest, especially with the high utilization of hydropower and geographic similarities to Norway.
MBF - There are many organizations promoting decarbonization in the maritime industry, why did you choose the MBF?
Eileen Tausch - I appreciate the specific purpose of the MBF. Many of the other organizations focused on maritime decarbonization have a very broad mission which can limit the depth into the more technical topics. Due to the narrower scope, the MBF can focus solely on its purpose of promoting batteries within the maritime industry.
MBF - Contributing your knowledge and simply collaborating with other members was possibly sufficient. Why did you choose to become a board member?
Eileen Tausch - The board position was an opportunity to influence the direction and focus of the organization, as well as drive the creation of a hub in North America which would, in turn, increase the adoption of batteries in my local maritime industry.
“ I appreciate the specific purpose of the MBF. Many of the other organizations focused on maritime decarbonization have a very broad mission which can limit the depth into the more technical topics”
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?
Eileen Tausch - The increase in energy density is a primary driver. Ships are often space and weight limited so the increase in energy density has really driven the faster adoption of larger battery packs (in the multi-MWh range). I also believe the incorporation of learnings from previous incidents in both battery system design and the rules governing installation and operation has been significant in managing the risk of installing this newer technology.
MBF - What do you think is the future of batteries in the maritime industry?
Eileen Tausch - Battery adoption will continue to grow in the maritime industry, both in vessel and shoreside applications. Battery technology will continue to advance, improving energy density and safety, while regulations will continually evolve to capture the latest technology.
On the water, I believe batteries will continue to be a primary source of propulsion power in near shore applications and will have a role in optimization of the propulsion plant for larger or longer endurance vessels utilizing alternative fuels.
Use of batteries in the shoreside maritime industry (e.g. ports and terminals) will grow to support the increasing infrastructure needs from maritime electrification, including vessel charging and shore power.
MBF - What, in your opinion, are some of the biggest challenges to the maritime battery industry?
Eileen Tausch - A major challenge has and will continue to be an underestimation of the maritime industry, including the physical and electrical environment, slower than projected uptake, and regulatory oversight. There are tremendous opportunities for electrification in maritime applications that continue to attract new suppliers. And while diversity of supply is key to reducing the financial barrier for adoption, this underestimation can lead to challenging financials and exits from the maritime industry.
MBF - What do you think can increase the adoption rate of maritime batteries?
Eileen Tausch - So much of the commercial industry boils down to financials. Specifically in the United States, we need mechanisms to move the needle further towards the cost effectiveness of electric vessels (specifically those utilizing maritime batteries). We still see high capital costs that are difficult to fund upfront, even with the significant reductions in operational costs that are achievable.
Standardization of supplementary infrastructure, such as charging systems and charging stations especially for harbor craft operating in ports, could help to reduce the risk of adoption, lower the capital expenses associated with charging, and increase the rate of adoption.
MBF - Where do you see the maritime battery forum in the next five years?
Eileen Tausch - I believe the MBF will continue to grow with fully established hubs in Asia and North America. The purpose will remain, but the methods of achieving the purpose will evolve with the times. Perhaps in five years, the focus will need to be less on early education and more on technology advancements, recycling, and lobbying for funding, joint industry projects, or regulatory changes.