Enhancing charging & battery performance

BACKGROUND
From 2030, all new harbourcrafts operating in Singapore’s port waters must be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen. However, adoption of electrification is slow and is not seen to be a practical solution for all vessels due to the limited energy density of batteries, and the high costs of batteries and associated retrofits. As such, how might we make battery solutions more effective for the maritime application?

SIGNIFICANCE OF PROBLEM

• The low energy density of batteries is unable to support vessels that are large or travel long distances and require significant electricity.
• High cost of batteries, and high investment to retrofit existing internal combustion engines with electric motors impede adoption. For new builds, the cost of a fully electric vessel is 1.5 – 3 times higher than that of conventional vessels. If these higher costs are passed on to the customer, competitiveness of the industry might be affected.
• Currently, marine batteries have other auxiliary systems which makes them heavy and bulky.
• Charging and discharging of batteries generate heat, which may cause battery deterioration.

POTENTIAL MARKET SIZE

• Applicable to all-electric vessels, including Singapore’s harbourcraft population of 1,600.
• The global electric vessel market size was USD 7.98 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% from 2023 to 2030.

EXISTING EFFORTS

• Lithium-sulphur batteries have energy densities 50% higher than Li-ion batteries but have not yet been commercialized, and face the issue of short lifespans.

SOLUTION SUCCESS PARAMETERS

• Minimum of 500 kW battery for harbourcraft.
• Battery system should be safe for maritime use.
• Cost effective solution with minimal modifications such as light weighing.

POTENTIAL SOLUTION SPACES

• High energy density to enable fast charging.
• Re-use of batteries from EVs.
• Batteries compatible with fast-charging (charge rate of more than 2C).
• Close energy density gap between Li-ion battery and Marine Gas Oil, from the current 40 times difference down to 2 times difference.
• Li-Sulphur and Li-Sodium are other possible chemistries.