MIDLAND, Mich. – XALT Energy today announced the cell supply contract for the two largest battery-powered ferries in the world with Plan B Energy Storage (PBES). Each of the two Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingör ferries will have 4.16 MWh batteries to provide power for primary propulsion. The electric ferries will carry their part of more than 7.4 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles annually with zero emissions.
INEA, the European Union’s executive agency for innovation and networks, supports the project with 120 million SEK ($14.1 million).
“We are delighted to continue serving marine market applications through our strategic alliance with PBES,” says Mark Chema, XALT Director of Sales.
The energy storage system was designed by PBES, with a proprietary liquid cooling system that provides a higher level of safety to marine customers. The thermal management system maintains optimal internal temperatures to maximize lifespan of the XALT high-power lithium cells.
PBES chose XALT Energy for their high-power, high-quality cells produced in a state-of-the-art, fully automated facility in Midland, Michigan.
“The XALT quality processes are the best in the world,” says Grant Brown, Vice President of Marketing for PBES. “The resulting product is capable of higher discharge rates, better performance, and ultimately far greater cycle life than their competitors. By maintaining optimal core temperatures for the cells, PBES modules maximize the lifespan of the cells.”
PBES energy storage systems using XALT high-power cells were designed to power hybrid and full electric commercial marine applications. These energy storage systems are used in ferries, offshore supply vessels, wind farm support vessels and tugboats, port equipment and yachts.
XALT Energy will be displaying their product at The Battery Show in Novi, Michigan September 13 through 15, 2016, in booth number 1502.
Based in Midland, Michigan, XALT Energy is a leading developer and manufacturer of prismatic, large-format lithium ion battery cells and packs. Based on its proprietary technology and using its state-of-the-art high volume battery manufacturing technology, XALT has become the leading innovative lithium ion cell manufacturer in America.
Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingör is an efficient ferry route, transporting up to 50,000 passengers and 9,000 cars across Öresund on a daily basis with departures every fifteen minutes. The four modern vessels on the route offer travellers a short travel time of 20 minutes.
In 2015, Scandlines Helsingborg-Helsingör transported 7.4 million passengers and 1.4 million cars, 390,000 trucks and 20,000 buses, corresponding to around 20% of the vehicles crossing Öresund. The route promotes integration and growth in the Öresund region, and is operated by 750 employees and it operates on a daily basis to ensure an efficient connection between Denmark and Sweden.