Electric support boats for the SailGP series will be powered by Aqua SuperPower, which will serve as marine fast-charging provider for the global championship. The partnership will commence with the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Plymouth, on July 30/31, 2022.
Aqua SuperPower’s global marine fast-charging network is already well developed, but the partnership will further expand DC charging infrastructure to all SailGP’s global event locations, accelerating the transition to zero-emissions operations. Plymouth switched on a series of Aqua SuperPower’s high-power DC electric charging stations this year, creating the UK’s first e-marine hub of shore-side charging facilities for electric boats. SailGP recently announced it is chartering a fleet of electric boats for Season 3 as part of its commitment to accelerate the transition to a zero-emission support fleet.
SailGP is taking four RS Pulse 63 electric boats on the European leg of its championship, together with the fully electric SEAL from Vita Yachts. Both the RS Pulse and the Vita SEAL have passed Aqua SuperPower’s DC charging compatibility tests. In Plymouth, these electric support boats will be supplied with free charging by the Aqua 75 installed at MDL Marina’s Queen Anne’s Battery, the Aqua 25 at Barbican Landing Stage, the Aqua 150 HPC at Mount Batten ferry terminal, and an AquaGo mobile marine fast charging unit.
“It’s brilliant to be collaborating with a wide range of key partners and suppliers in Plymouth to find innovative ways to minimize our impact, focusing on the transition to clean energy for the marine sector,” said SailGP on-water transition manager Tom Verity. “By partnering with Aqua SuperPower, SailGP can connect with a wide global audience to showcase electric technologies that are helping decrease carbon emissions.”
“It is an absolute privilege and positive endorsement for Aqua SuperPower to be SailGP’s official electric boat charging partner and to have the opportunity of working with such a prestigious and environmentally conscious global brand,” added Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua SuperPower. “Aqua’s mission is to reduce the impact of boating on the marine environment – an aim that closely complements SailGP’s sustainability, impact, and clean energy goals. We are proud to supply Aqua’s marine fast-charging solutions to SailGP’s fleet of electric boats during each of their events with guaranteed charging access to our permanent installations and mobile charging units. This partnership will create a legacy network of Aqua SuperPower charge points at the various SailGP event sites.”
The fully sealed design of Aqua SuperPower’s IP-65-rated DC rapid chargers uses the latest connected technology, and electricity cannot be drawn until the electronic handshake with the boat has been completed satisfactorily. With a focus on interoperability, safety and accessibility, Aqua SuperPower adopted the universal electric vehicle Combined Charging System (CCS), which uses connectors to provide power up to 350kW.
