Tourist and commuter vessels continue to expand the use of safe, reliable lithium energy in busy waterways across Europe.
For several years now there has been a drive to reduce public transportation emissions in key cities around the world. Recent statements from major European cities such as London and Paris are setting a roadmap for zero emission public transport vehicles to be introduced and operational. As an example Transport for London, TfL, has stated that it will introduce an Ultra Low Emission Zone by 2020 which will require all single deck buses to be zero emission (at the point of use). To demonstrate pure electric drive versatility, a European bus builder has completed the first trans-America leg of a round the world challenge using only a battery pack made from Valence’s safe, reliable lithium ion solutions.
This drive has also been mirrored in the marine industry and nowhere more so than in passenger ferries used for tourist and commuter transport. Cities such as Paris, Venice, La Rochelle and many others now have Valence lithium powered zero or low emission vessels operating daily carrying thousands of passengers annually. Whilst these vessels may not be the largest Valence powered boats on the water their growth in numbers and frequency of trips is helping the environmental cause none the less. This environmental drive is matched by the fuel and associated cost savings that these hybrid and full electric systems provide.
Beautiful La Rochelle has a history of environmentally friendly transportation with Valence lithium powered buses, cars and also passenger ferries.
Alternative Energies are a French company that have been specializing in such electric vessels for many years and have had electric vessels operating in La Rochelle and nearby Les Sables d’Olonnes since 2007. They have been able to offer their customers a complete design and build for the electric and hybrid vessels they produce. Alternative Energies switched many of their initial vessels from NiCd to Valence lithium around 2009 and have also been installing Valence’s scaleable energy solutions in new vessels on the waterways of Paris, Toulon, Concarneau and others since then. The energy content ranges from 50kWh systems to nearly 200kWh in some cases and provides enough autonomy to have the many vessels carrying up to 75 passengers operating 365 days a year. Together these vessels can carry around 2.8 million passengers a year and these vessels will save approximately 200 tonnes of CO2 compared to diesel equivalents, (the Paris vessels alone save around 92 tonnes CO2 per annum). These are also now being trialed in other areas globally including India, where the need for pollution free vessels in environmentally sensitive areas such as nature reserves is growing rapidly.
Venice is a hot spot for all marine traffic and initiatives into the reduction of diesel pollution are at the forefront in this busy laguna. Siemens have used these initiatives along with the tried and tested partnership of the Siemens Elfa drive + Valence batteries to produce vessels that the operators, Cantieri Vizianello / Alilaguna, are ferrying passengers daily around this thriving city and helping to cut pollution by reducing diesel consumption and emissions.
Construction of the next vessel, which is destined for the beautiful city of Lucerne, Switzerland, is almost complete and it should enter service in early 2017. The vessel will have around 100kWh of energy onboard and will be operated by Shiptec / SGV as a gastronomical delight as its kitchens feed tourists gourmet food whilst touring the peaceful Swiss lake without the clatter of diesel engines to disturb them.
GNB, (a division of Exide Technologies), are now using Valence’s proven technology to provide energy for a new innovative restaurant boat in Paris. The 28m vessel has a total of 150kWh of energy on-board and was assembled and integrated to the customer’s specifications by GNB at the shipyard in France. The battery pack is being used for propulsion on the vessel and can operate for 3 hours without using any diesel. It can seat 102 passengers for transit purposes and 60 passengers for relaxing, peaceful dinner cruises along the Seine.
Valence has recently been awarded both the prestigious DNV-GL and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) marine type approvals in recognition of their safety and reliability in this marketplace. These marine certifications are critically important for end users and boat builders alike in the selection of safe marine battery systems.
Valence offers a range of 12-36V lithium ion modules that can arranged in any series and parallel configuration to offer any voltage up to 1000v and any capacity required. Many customers are also reassured by the intrinsic safety of Valence’s proprietary lithium phosphate technology, which does not exhibit violent thermal runaway, unlike many other oxide based lithium chemistries on the market.
Valence lithium ion battery systems provide for the expansion of electrification of marine vessels throughout the world, enabling passengers to enjoy the most of what they like about being on the water.