EAS Batteries reveals a hybrid module for marine craft

At the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo 2019 in Amsterdam, EAS Batteries revealed a new hybrid module tailor-made for boats and ships. Nidec also offers a special battery system for maritime use.

The hybrid module called “EASy Marine” should be ready for the market by the end of the year. According to the manufacturer, the modular design of the battery strand can be adapted to the limited space aboard boats and ships. This should enable the optimal use of existing installation space. EAS supplies the cells for the module from its own production site in Germany.

Thanks to its specific capacities, the module is primarily designed to smooth out both positive and negative load peaks. Michael Deutmeyer, Managing Director of EAS Batteries said that “Depending on the application and configuration, this can result in fuel savings of 25 to 50 per cent.” Official DNVGL certification is anticipated in the coming months.

The module was developed with the Munich-based company Lion Smart, which has adapted its battery management system to the requirements of maritime applications. Lion Smart made the headlines last year when the company converted a BMW i3 with a 100 kWh battery, which should enable a range of 700 kilometres. “The CO2 saving effect is very high compared to the rest of the industry, and other specifications such as the water-only cooling system and the maximum voltage of 1,500 volts are currently unparalleled,” explained the CEO of Lion Smart, Tobias Mayer.

Other interesting new presentations have also been made at the trade fair: Nidec has just presented its first battery system for large and medium-sized boat propulsion systems in Amsterdam. The batteries launched by Nidec ASI differ from those currently available on the market in a number of technological features, including the “Single Large String”, a large module that is better suited for producing large battery packs while significantly simplifying system design.