EST-Floattech will provide a battery system for the purpose-built Electric-Landing Utility Vessel (E-LUV) to be built at Coastal Workboats new yard in Stornoway.
This collaboration is realised due to Coastal Workboats receiving a £6 million (€7 million) grant to demonstrate the UK’s first commercial electric workboat and charging station. The grant, provided by the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), aims to boost the usage of electric workboats in a commercial environment.
“Our attraction to the Octopus Series quite simply comes down to safety. EST-Floattech have produced a class-approved product that brings to market a level of safety unseen previously,” said Luke Parnell, chief engineering manager, Coastal Workboats.
”In particular, the passive nature of the heat dissipation system represents a marked step forward in safety, particularly for an application in the marine environment. Given our primary concern is safety above all, the Octopus was the perfect choice for us.”
Benchmark vessel
The E-LUV is set to be the UK’s first commercial electric workboat. This innovative vessel, a Ro-Ro and dry cargo transportation ferry, will be equipped with 2400 kWh of EST-Floattech’s Octopus High Energy battery system.
The system will be placed as two independent battery systems on board, power a range of equipment and be used for fully electric sailing.
Starting for demonstration purposes in the Shetland Isles in a short trial, the E-LUV will be operating between West Burrafirth and Papa Stour.
In addition, EST-Floattech will also supply 1.200 kWh of the Octopus High Energy battery system, to be placed in a 20 foot container that will support the charging of Coastal Workboats’ E-LUV vessel. It is also possible to place the containerised energy storage solution on board as a range extender.
EST-Floattech will be collaborating with MJR Power & Automation for the system integration and the entire system will be placed inside the container by Renew Marine Ltd.
The E-LUV will adhere to Bureau Veritas classification standards ensuring safety and quality and it will also need less maintenance.
