More energy, more safety, more innovation: battery cells in the maritime industry
Salt water, pressure, and low temperatures: the rough sea regularly challenges modern technologies and pushes them to their limits. However, in the maritime industry in particular, application-specific lithium-ion battery cells could help to develop new types of watercraft and promote sustainable changes in the future.
Today, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) explore the seabed at depths of more than 6,000 meters. The requirements that are placed on their electric drive technology are extreme due to the conditions — cold temperatures add to the remarkably high pressure. At the same time, every further development of underwater vehicles with new sensors and additional sonar systems also means an additional demand for energy. The classic battery solutions were literally reaching their limits. Every increase in storage capacity goes hand in hand with more volume, blocking valuable installation space in a compact vehicle in which every centimeter counts.
For this reason, a host of customers have already opted for application-specific battery cells from CustomCells, a German technology innovator and manufacturer which produces batteries precisely tailored to specific required performance parameters. In this case, the cells’ energy was increased by up to 40 percent. Thanks to a higher energy density, the installation space of the cell has remained unchanged and the advantages of using the specialize batteries in an AUV are significant.
Longer dives and the additional sensors make it possible to generate more data of higher quality — a significant competitive advantage. However, it is not only AUVs or larger submarines that benefit from the use of application-specific battery cells which are designed for more performance and longer service life as well as more safety through cell chemistry and design adjustments.
The three dimensions of cellular security
The intrinsic safety of the cell is particularly important in the context of the maritime industry. Indeed, particular focus is given to the housing and various technologies, which together should guarantee the safety of the battery system.
Application-specific battery cells compensate for the disadvantages of standard battery cells that have not been specifically developed and optimized for their respective application areas. However, the safety of an electrified ship’s propulsion system always begins in the battery cell itself. Battery safety includes three dimensions that unfold throughout its life cycle. The first dimension concerns the overall cell design, the chemistry of the cell, and its architecture. Dimensions two and three result from the development and manufacturing process. A European supply chain, maximum transparency with suppliers, and the traceability of any performance weaknesses of individual cells in operation all contribute to increasing the overall safety of the battery.
In the maritime segment, specific battery cells not only enable increased performance, ecological change, and a high level of safety, they are also the trailblazers for further technological innovations and demonstrate their advantages over diesel and gas drives as well as fuel cell solutions. As a core component, they will enable the future development and construction of new types of watercraft and sustainable changes in research, mobility, and logistics.
Innovative battery concepts for business success
The specifications of the battery cell no longer limit the use of electrified powertrains in the maritime sector. Instead, new battery concepts are geared entirely to individually required performance parameters. The results are these: higher energy densities, longer charging intervals, smaller space requirements, better return on investment, and all this with maximum safety — above and below water.
Master of Batteries is a publication by CustomCells, one of the leading companies in the development and series production of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery cells.
