AYK Energy to Supply Polaris, PiscesA+ Batteries for Two Workboat Projects
The systems will power a Damen dredger for UK Dredging and a Port of Rotterdam patrol vessel retrofit.
Marine battery maker AYK Energy will supply battery systems for two workboat projects with Dutch maritime system integrator Gebhard Electro.
What Happened
The first project involves a new trailing suction hopper dredger (Damen TSHD 1000) under construction at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands for UK Dredging, part of Associated British Ports. AYK will provide a 318 kWh liquid-cooled Polaris battery system for this diesel-electric vessel, which combines propulsion with an integrated energy storage system to help generators run closer to optimum load and cover peak demand, reducing fuel consumption. The second project is the conversion of Port of Rotterdam's patrol vessel RPA 8 from hybrid to fully electric propulsion using a 1,640 kWh PiscesA+ battery system. Both projects include Gebhard Electro handling electrical installation and system integration.
Why It Matters
The Polaris battery for the dredger will be one of the first liquid-cooled units AYK has installed following DNV type approval. Liquid cooling maintains more uniform cell temperatures than air cooling, which can improve pack longevity and support higher continuous power output. For the Port of Rotterdam, converting its RPA 8 patrol vessel to fully electric aligns with the port's stated goal of moving toward an emission-free operations fleet.
The Bottom Line
AYK has previously collaborated with Gebhard Electro on other maritime battery projects including a 2.2 MWh Aries+S system for VOLTA, a fully electric maintenance vessel, and an 82 kWh Orion system for VB KRACHT, a hybrid tug for Boluda Towage.
