In a first for shipping, Eco Marine Power, a Japan-based marine renewable energy technology company and compatriot battery manufacturer Furukawa Battery will supply marine-grade FCR-series batteries for both a solar power system & for backup use on a Handymax bulker.
This will be the first time the FCR batteries have been used for these dual applications onboard a ship with one set being integrated into a renewable energy solution and two other sets for emergency backup use, according to Eco Marine Power.
Other equipment will also be installed onto the vessel as part of an Eco Handymax project that is being undertaken by several companies based in Japan and a shipowner.
As part of the project to supply the FCR-50-12 batteries, the existing layout of the battery room will be altered and new battery frames manufactured by Teramoto Iron Works will be supplied. This will allow for the batteries to be installed in a horizontal orientation, thereby allowing the units required for the Aquarius Marine Solar Power solution & also for back-up use to be installed in the same space onboard the ship.
As explained, a significant advantage of the recyclable FCR series batteries is that their design and safety record allow for them to be installed without the need for complicated protection or cooling systems. Originally developed for duel uses, the ruggedness of the FCR series batteries also makes them suited for use in a marine environment and in 2019 the FCR-50-12 & FCR-100-6 batteries obtained ClassNK certification.
“The installation of the FCR series batteries for dual applications onboard the ship demonstrates how this battery technology can be used for a wide range of uses both for maritime & land-based projects,” Yasuhiro Kodaka , General Manager of the Global Business Development Department at Furukawa Battery commented.
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