Together with SEAM, Norled has developed a concept for battery swapping for electric express boats that can accelerate emission cuts for the express boat industry. Norled has now awarded Aarbakke a contract to produce the prototype for the autonomous battery exchange solution. SEAM has been awarded the contract for the delivery of the automation and control system as well as project follow-up of the further design and development work related to the prototype.
-“Norled wants to accelerate the conversion of express boats from diesel to electric operation to cutCO2 emissions. “We believe the solution is a battery exchange system that ensures that the express boats can maintain high speed and regularity without major upgrades to the power grid. The technology involves an autonomous robot changing the vessel’s battery in three minutes when it arrives at the quay, instead of charging, which can take a long time. With solid and forward-thinking partners such as Aarbakke and SEAM, we are now ready to realize this innovation,” says Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled.
The contract with Aarbakke includes design review, detail engineering, fabrication, assembly and testing of the prototype for the autonomous battery changing system. The contract also includes an option for serial production of additional robots. The prototype will be delivered at the end of 2022 and tested at Aarbakke on an advanced test platform. Norled, Aarbakke and SEAM will also collaborate on further development and commercialization of the technology that can be used on several vessel types.
Aarbakke’s first green project
-The battery-swapping robot is our first truly green project – it creates a lot of commitment internally. This shows that our commitment to technology, digitalization and environmentally friendly projects yields results. We look forward to the collaboration and are confident that it will be successful,” says Inge Brigt Aarbakke, CEO of Aarbakke.
Aarbakke emphasizes that several local companies will take part in this project. – Companies such as Lapwing and Aarbakke Innovation will be important participants in the design phase. In addition, local subcontractors will be used for part production.
SEAM has played a key role in the development of the autonomous battery exchange system and will supply the automation and control system for the battery exchange robot. They will also work on design and development work together with Aarbakke and general project follow-up for Norled.
– “This is a very exciting project for us. It’s a clear example of how the Norwegian maritime industry wants to invest in completely new solutions to cut emissions, and we’re proud to be part of it. The further development of this system is a big step in the right direction to enable fully electric operation of express boats, which will have an enormous impact on the express boat segment in the work to achieve zero emissions. We have had a good collaboration with Norled for several years, which has resulted in efficient, green solutions that can be taken further in Norwegian maritime transport,” says CEO of SEAM, Gunvald Mortvedt.
Can be put into operation in the Oslofjord
After thorough testing at Aarbakke, we hope to be able to demonstrate the solution on a large scale in the Oslofjord at the end of 2023.
