As the world moves towards a sustainable future, some regions have an abundance of renewable energy, while others are at a geographical disadvantage. Japan startup PowerX has a solution with the world’s first electric battery carrier, the “X”, designed to transport clean energy by sea.
What does PowerX do?
PowerX is a battery-powered company on a mission to change how the world uses and transports clean energy.
While most of the world’s energy is transported today in the form of fossil fuels, PowerX is looking to the future with an electric-powered ship that will transport clean energy to the places that need it most.
To accomplish its mission, PowerX designs and develops an “energy transport ship” to transport renewable electricity around the world and to create an “ocean power grid”.
startup Plans revealed This past summer to establish Japan’s first gigafactory to produce battery storage solutions, including the Hypercharger, an ultra-fast (up to 240kW) EV charger powered by renewable energy. In addition, PowerX will manufacture grid-wide stationary batteries, marine batteries, and household batteries.
Power Base, the company’s giant factory, boasts an annual production capacity of 5 gigawatt-hours, which equates to about 10,000 battery storage units for its various solutions.
Moving quickly, PowerX revealed the detailed design behind its inaugural vessel, “X,” at the Bariship International Maritime Show on Monday.
The electric tank that will carry clean energy by sea
The 140m electric powered X battery carrier has an electric cruising range of up to 300km to transport clean energy from offshore wind, from grid to grid or island.
With 96 (2.5 MWh) marine LFP batteries, the electric tanker can carry a total of 241 MWh of renewable energy. PowerX says the battery design is “highly scalable” and will be able to handle more batteries in the future.
An embedded power control system monitors the battery systems and charge controllers, and shows how much battery life is left.
The electric transporter is now optimized for short distance travel. However, CEO Masahiro Ito says that as battery density increases and costs fall, the company will be able to carry more batteries over longer distances.
The company aims to complete its first ship by 2025, with field tests scheduled to begin the following year.
PowerX has signed a memorandum of understanding and partnered with Kyushu Electric Power Co. and the City of Yokohama to turn the concept into reality and decarbonise the ports. Furthermore, a new company, Ocean Power Grid Inc., will be created. , later this year to handle battery tanker operations.
The electricity carrier will help connect grids, offshore wind farms and islands with renewable energy where underground cables are not ideal due to seismic activity, deep water, etc.
As a result, regions with abundant renewable energy can share with those less fortunate for a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
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