In September 2020, Yara Marine launched the Yara Marine X Programme, which is a start-up competition aiming to provide a home for technology and solutions that will contribute to a greener maritime industry. They have announced that Phoenician Energy’s aluminum-air batteries is the winner amongst the many applicants.
Yara Marine Technologies’ CEO, Thomas Koniordos says,
“Phoenician Energy’s use of aluminum-air battery technology for the maritime industry triggered our scientists’ curiosity. Their container battery is especially interesting. The concept taps into several recent trends and developments, such as circular economy and electrification of marine vessels. We believe this technology may have an important role to play in a greener maritime industry for future generations,”
Phoenician Energy licenses aluminum-air battery technology and adapts it to marine applications. The company has developed a 4.8 MWh system enclosed in a 20-foot shipping container.
Yara Marine’s Head of Research and Development, Jesper Hellström explains,
“Charging an Al-air battery actually happens at an aluminum production plant. You may say that the battery consumes aluminum, the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Furthermore, the alumina generated from the aluminum in the battery, as it depletes, is a valued commodity. The alumina can be recycled back to aluminum at the aluminum plant, but it also has uses in other industries. Together with Yara Marine Technologies, Phoenician Energy will move into its next phase.”
“Al–air batteries have one of the highest energy densities of all batteries, with more than four times the capacity of the conventional lithium-ion battery. Higher density means that longer ranges can be achieved, and a smaller footprint means more space for revenue-producing cargo. In addition, we do not recharge our system onboard, instead, we replace it with a fully charged one, eliminating downtime that would be required for recharging conventional batteries. The consumed battery is then reequipped with new aluminum and it is ready to go another turn. Furthermore, Aluminum-air batteries do not lose capacity when not in use nor do they degrade over time. They are also inherently safe, with no danger of temperature runaway” Founder and President of Phoenician Energy, Udi Erell explains.
“We are excited to partner with a major player like Yara Marine Technologies. We hope to tap into their experience with engineering and procurement and their know-how on production and installation. This is a big step for us. Hence, our excitement for Yara Marine Technologies’ experience and this opportunity”, Erell adds.
Credit: Yara Marine
