WATTS UP 2022 - new insights and great to meet each other again
On 8 and 9 March a total of 130 maritime battery experts and enablers travelled to Stavanger in Norway for WATTS UP 2022. The 2-day conference was filled with presentation covering a wide range of topics related to maritime batteries, an astonishing trip on board full electric ferry “Rygerelektra” to the Preikestolen, and it was great to see everyone connect in person again. We hope to see you back next year on 8 and 9 March 2023 at the next edition of WATTS UP!
In 2020, the WATTS UP in Sandefjord was one of the last events before the world went on lockdown. Exactly two years later, we were able to come together in person again to connect with people from around the world and discuss the developments and new insights on maritime battery systems. The Maritime Battery Forum wants to thank all the speakers for their great input, Rødne Fjord Cruise for their hospitality on board of their ship and of course everyone attending for making this a very special edition of WATTS UP. We received great feedback from many of the participants and you awarded WATTS UP 2022 with a score of 8.3 out of 10!
DAY 1
Tuesday the 8th of March we started with the opening speech by newly elected board member Eileen Tausch from Spear Power Systems. She highlighted the ongoing developments of battery powered ships in North America and showed the possibilities for the MBF to expand their activities to the US and Canada. The opening session was concluded by MBF managing director Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, who provided an overview of the current status of maritime batteries.
After a coffee break, we continued with a session on the use of battery data on board of ships. First, Dr. Kai-Phlipp Kairies from ACCURE Battery Intelligence showed us the possibilities of using battery data, and why the usage of data should be playing a more important role in onboard battery diagnostics. This was followed up by Simen Sanna and Marius Moum from YXNEY Maritime who explained how battery data can be utilized to maximize the battery effect in vessel operations.
After lunch, it was up to the battery cell experts to inform everyone on the ongoing developments in battery cell technologies. Professor Ann Mari Svensson from the NTNU informed us on the potential for new electrolyte salts for improved safety and performance of Li-ion batteries. Then, Rakshith Sachitanand from Echandia showed the suitability of LTO batteries in maritime applications. Lars Ole Valøen from Corvus Energy finished this session with an overview of the pros and cons of different types of battery cells.
Next up on the agenda was an astonishing trip to the Preikestolen on board of the full electric ferry “Rygerelektra”. The weather was perfect, with sun and blue skies, so although it was cold many of us were enjoying the beautiful mountain views from the top deck outside. On board, Lars Andre Rødne, the owner of the vessel, gave us a presentation about the "Rygerelektra”, followed by a presentation from Pål Gunnar Eide from SEAM on their developments on integration a Hydrogen Fuel Cell system on the MF Hydra ferry. When we arrived back in port, everyone got the chance to have a look at the batteries and propulsion system on board of the vessel. Day 1 was full of information and experiences and we concluded with a delightful dinner back at the hotel.
DAY 2
With everyone fresh and recharged back in the conference room, day 2 started with a session on onshore and offshore power. As a start, Eirill Bachmann Mehammer and Henrik Strand from SINTEF showed their cost comparison tool of shore power and electricity generated on board vessels. Next up was Einar Bjørshol from the Norwegian Coastal Administration, who presented the trends, lessons learned and future outlook on the Norwegian shore power market. Then we switched to offshore power, with a presentation by Sebastian Toft from Stillstrom (venture by Maersk) about their offshore charging buoy developments. This session was concluded by Arnstein Eknes from DNV, who presented their class point of view on offshore charging systems.
After the coffee break, we continued with the session on battery safety. Torleif Lian from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) informed us on the safety issues with solid-state lithium-ion cells. The importance of well designed electromechanical DC switching systems for safety and efficiency was highlighted by Martin Zierer from INKOM/Schaltbau. The results and findings of an incident with seawater intrusion in a battery system were presented by Inge Nordsteien from Siemens Energy.
After lunch the final session started on evolving energy storage technologies. First, Olve Mo from SINTEF explained to us the work performed by the SEABAT project, where is investigated how high energy and high power cells can be combined in one system and how modularized power conversion can help to reduce costs of maritime battery systems. The final presentation of WATTS UP 2022 was for Eirik Mathiesen from Kongsberg Maritime on their holistic view on energy control and green fuel challenges.
Thanks again to all the speakers and we hope to see you all next year on March 8 and 9 2023!
