New research and innovation project announced
(Posted on 05/01/21)
Current Direct, a new research and innovation project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, will revolutionize the way we move goods and people by water. The vast majority of water transport in Europe is propelled by dirty, noisy diesel engines. By cutting the cost of today’s marine battery electric drivetrains in half and relieving ship owners of the burden of capital expense, Current Direct will enable rapid adoption to reduce greenhouse emissions by 482.000 MT of CO2 equivalents per year.
Current Direct’s innovative Energy as a Service platform will enable ship owners to accelerate their participation in the shift to clean energy while creating new business opportunities for shipyards and local entrepreneurs. By changing the model for acquiring and storing energy aboard vessels, Current Direct will create a new energy economy, adding thousands of new jobs. Current Direct provides a vehicle for energy companies, institutional investors, and government stakeholders to participate in the green transformation of Europe’s merchant and passenger fleet.
Current Direct brings together thirteen dynamic partners from across Europe’s marine electrification value chain. The project is led by Spear Power Systems, makers of the world’s lightest, most flexible marine batteries certified to the most stringent international safety standards. Blackstone Technology is lowering the cost of manufacturing tomorrow’s 3D printed lithium-ion cells using state of the art active materials from Umicore. The University of Hasselt will use its electrochemical expertise to develop physics-based models of the Current Direct cells that will help optimize the life and return on investment of battery systems deployed across Europe as part of the Current Direct Energy as a Service platform developed by the accomplished engineers and data scientists at Rhoé Urban Technologies and Aviloo. Naval architecture and marine engineering company Foreship will lend its expertise to EDP CNET’s in depth knowledge of electrical markets to ensure the Current Direct platform targets optimal vessels and locations maximizing reductions in emissions. VUB’s material science experts are creating low-cost composites to improve the safety of battery packs that are designed for recyclability and feature VITO’s smart cell monitoring electronics. Wärtsilä will develop modular battery containers and charging infrastructure that will be certified to innovative standards by Lloyd’s Register. The project will culminate in a demonstration of the Current Direct battery, shore charging, and asset management platform by Kotug in Rotterdam.
Latest News
John Sutch Cranes seeks collaboration to address travel restrictions challenges
(Posted on 18/04/24)Mobile crane hire and contract lifting specialist based in the North West of England, John Sutch Cranes... Read more
ClassNK awards AiP for Mitsui methanol fuel supply system
(Posted on 15/04/24)ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel supply system developed by Mitsui... Read more
Bühler launches fully automatic bagging station with Premier Tech
(Posted on 15/04/24)Swiss technology group Bühler, in partnership with leading Canadian packaging equipment manufacturer... Read more
Groke unveils new situational awareness tool for ship managers
(Posted on 15/04/24)Groke Technologies, the Finnish technology company behind the Groke Pro Situational Awareness System... Read more
Pacific Basin leads dry bulk’s adoption of graphene-based coating
(Posted on 29/03/24)In a proactive move towards energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, Pacific Basin, one of... Read more
ClassNK grants endorsement to two MOL initiatives
(Posted on 29/03/24)ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions*1 to two initiatives by... Read more
Marcor Stevedoring receives new LHM 800
(Posted on 25/03/24)Contributing to a greener bulk industry. And no Diesel engine is needed. The LHM 800 will do its work... Read more
Need for new safety rules for methanol fuelled vessels revealed
(Posted on 25/03/24)A new fire safety study by global Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec has revealed that... Read more
Cargill shares outcome of first wind-powered ocean vessel’s maiden voyage
(Posted on 18/03/24)Cargill has revealed exciting results of the six-month test period of the Pyxis Ocean, underscoring... Read more
Alfa Laval fluidic air lubrication system secures first MoU with Korean shipyard
(Posted on 15/03/24)Alfa Laval has collaborated with a Korean shipbuilding company by signing the first Memorandum of Understanding... Read more
