Electrification and electrical energy storage is one of the major drivers for climate neutrality in the waterborne

sector

Electrification and electrical energy storage is one of the major drivers for climate neutrality in the waterborne sector

FLEXSHIP impact

The FLEXSHIPS project will help to push the EU on the forefront of electrification in the waterborne sector by delivering innovative technologies, processes and strategies for the on-board safe integration of large battery systems on multiple types of ships.

Two innovative vessel demonstrators will be developed and exploited to demonstrate the solutions of the fully integrated on-board battery systems and address the complex electrical networks for different types of ships. The project outcomes will contribute to enhance the development and verification of electrical architectures and power management systems for both fully electric and hybrid vessels.

In this way the project will contribute in the long term to zero emission waterborne transport and noise reduction when approaching and staying in the harbor. The FLEXSHIP project will strengthen the European goal for zero emission waterborne transport and contribute to the further electrification of the European waterborne network of thousands of seaborne, river borne and inland borne ships.

An overview of the expected project outcome, impact and time to market

Contribution to the expected outcomes of the call topic

1

Contributions to two full scale vessel demonstrators, hybrid and fully electric, by 2027 covering a sailing distance of at least 300 nm in the case of a fully electric vessel.

2

Development and validation of electrical architectures for large battery systems on-board.

3

Proof of the safe integration of battery systems into the ship’s electrical grid for a relevant number of ship types (e.g., IWT, short sea vessels, cruise ships, ferries) and operational scenarios

4

Verification of the architecture and the power management system for two cases: hybrid and fully electric

5

Documentation of skills requirements for the crew

6

In the short term, facilitate full battery electric transit for reduced noise and zero emissions on shorter routes (up to 100 nm) and during approach and harbour stay

FLEXSHIP unique contribution towards the wider impacts in the destination

FLEXSHIP will contribute to the long-term impacts of Destination 5 that aim to improve the climate and environmental footprint, as well as competitiveness, of different transport modes.

In this respect, the FLEXSHIP partners aim to become leading experts in climate-neutral and environmentally friendly battery-electric solutions for the waterborne transport sector.

FLEXSHIP contribution towards the impacts of Destination 5

  • Increased and early deployment of climate neutral fuels and significant electrification of shipping, in particular and foremost in intra-European transport connections.
  • Increased overall energy efficiency and drastically lower fuel consumption of vessels.
  • Enable the innovative port infrastructure (bunkering of alternative fuels and provision of electrical power) needed to achieve zero-emission waterborne transport (inland and maritime).
  • Enable clean, climate-neutral, and climate-resilient inland waterway vessels before 2030 helping a significant market take-up and a comprehensive green fleet renewal which will also help modal shift.
  • Strong technological and operational momentum towards achieving climate neutrality and the elimination of all harmful pollution to air and water.
  • Achieve the smart, efficient, secure and safe integration of maritime and inland shipping into logistic chains, facilitated by full digitalization and automation and enable fully automated shipping (maritime and inland) and efficient connectivity.
  • Competitive waterborne industries, including the globally active European maritime technology sector, providing the advanced green and digital technologies which will support jobs and growth in Europe.