Preparing for Electrification: How Can Electrification Technology and Infrastructure meet the Efficiency and Cost Requirements of the Maritime Sector?
Key Focus Area:
Green Technology & Decarbonisation
From 2030, all new harbour crafts 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, the lack of onshore and offshore charging stations, limited berthing space, speed of charging, energy density of batteries, efficiency of battery swap approaches and infrastructure investments required, end-of-life disposal, and cost concerns are inhibiting early adoption.
Challenges
Battery Swap
- Lighter weight of batteries will improve the viability of battery swapping at a mothership: too heavy a load may incur higher emissions
- Address fire hazard due to exposed connections when removing and fitting batteries
- Improving interoperability of a larger pool of batteries and the corresponding battery management system (BMS) for different vessel types will minimise charging downtime
Battery
- Close the energy density gap between Li-ion battery (known for having the highest energy density) and Marine Gas Oil, from the current 40 times difference down to 2 times difference. Lithium-sulphur batteries have energy densities 50% higher than Li-ion batteries but have not yet been commercialized.
- Lower cost of battery and modifications needed to encourage shipowners’ adoption
Desired Outcome
Solution spaces may include reducing charging times, improving the performance and capacities of batteries through battery designs, redesigning batteries to allow batteries to be of a lower weight and improve interoperability.
Successful solutions will:
- Be cost competitive
- Be easily usable by ship crew e.g., they will know how to optimize battery usage and not overload the battery
- Optimize for forecasted usage, optimal battery life routes
Market Potential
All new harbour crafts operating in Singapore’s port waters must be fully electric by 2030, have the ability to use B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen.
Call for Proposals for this Innovation Opportunity is now closed.
