Rotterdam-based Wattlab has introduced WEstack, a standardized battery system for inland shipping vessels that the company says can be installed within a single working day.
The system is designed to address what Wattlab identifies as a key barrier to decarbonization in the sector: the high cost and lengthy installation times of conventional marine battery systems. Where traditional systems are typically custom-built and require several weeks of installation work, WEstack arrives fully assembled and tested, needing only to be connected once on board.
The technology targets a fundamental inefficiency in how inland vessels currently operate. “Generators on vessels operate most of the time at only 10%-15% of their capacity,” said Bo Salet, founder and CEO of Wattlab. “That is extremely inefficient. At low loads, a generator consumes relatively large amounts of fuel. By adding a battery pack, the generator can charge the battery at its optimal operating point, after which the battery supplies power to the vessel.”
Wattlab says WEstack can reduce generator running hours by 80% to 90%, delivering fuel savings, lower maintenance costs and reduced COâ‚‚ emissions. The system also reduces onboard noise, vibrations and exhaust fumes.
WEstack is available in four standard capacities – 100kWh, 200kWh, 300kWh and 400kWh – a deliberate design choice that enables faster production and keeps costs below those of custom-built alternatives. The unit is installed on the aft deck and is suited to both new-build and retrofit applications across a range of vessel types, including dry cargo ships, tankers and small coastal vessels.
Salet also pointed to growing pressure from ports as a driver of adoption: “More and more ports want to reduce emissions and noise pollution. With a battery system, vessels can operate silently and emission-free for much longer periods without relying on shore power.”
Founded in 2017, Wattlab initially developed solar energy systems for the maritime sector, gaining recognition for large-scale solar installations on inland vessels. The company is also currently developing Solar Flatrack systems for seagoing vessels.
Salet framed energy efficiency as the more immediate path to emissions reduction compared to alternative fuels: “Alternative fuels are likely to remain scarce and expensive for the foreseeable future. That is why we believe energy efficiency is the fastest and most cost-effective route to reducing emissions in the sector.”
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