Lehmann launches water-cooled maritime battery

The AQUBE battery system has a continuous 2C charge/discharge rate and can be scaled up or down according to the requirements of the vessel.

“Any scale of energy storage is available by freely configuring modular units in strings of up to 1,000VDC,” says Lehmann. “The battery system features an integrated battery management system, pre-charge functionality, customised racking and a newly developed switch unit.

“”AQUBE is designed for easy connection to the vessel’s water cooling system, ensuring safe and reliable operation.”

LFP is a battery chemistry that is growing in popularity because while less energy dense than its competitor NMC (nickel manganese cobalt), this is not always a necessity depending on what the battery will be used for.

LFP batteries are also considered safer in terms of thermal runaway and fire, and do not have the sourcing downsides of NMC, whose cobalt is notorious for being mined in the Congo by children, although this is being addressed.

“High-power propulsion systems of larger vessels, such as ferries, container feeders or OSVs, can now use Lehmann Marine’s safe and compact LFP battery technology,” says Lehmann. “Short turnaround cycles of vessels will no longer pose an obstacle when considering fully electric or electric hybrid propulsion.”

Lehmann Marine’s AQUBE range of batteries are a combination of the company’s CUBE product with water-cooling technology from its COBRA battery system.

”Enhanced safety is a key advantage of LFP cells,” says the company. “Compared to traditional NMC batteries, LFP batteries are significantly safer. Even in extreme situations where thermal runaway could occur, LFP batteries are not prone to fires. In such cases, only gas is released and vented outside. This makes LFP battery systems a particularly sustainable and safe choice for the maritime industry.”

For much more on batteries in marine, read our Special Report, here, which includes interviews with battery makers and electric vessel operators.