Energy storage solutions provider EST-Floattech has launched its new Octopus Series battery system, with Europarlementarian Caroline Nagtegaal-van Doorn officially opening the production line last week in The Netherlands (12 April 2023).

The Octopus platform is a modular battery management system developed to configure a variety of batteries. EST-Floattech says the new battery management system (BMS) provides a user-friendly interface that connects the battery. It can integrate a range of battery configurations and chemistries and offers remote monitoring and diagnostics.

“The market is growing to improve sustainability and due to goals set by regulations,” says Walter van der Pennen, CCO at EST-Floattech. “The energy transition in the maritime market has really started, and in the past few years, there has been an increase in electrically powered vessels.

“As a result, you see more and more differentiation in the applications needed by shipowners and shipbuilders, not only for direct propulsion but also for various equipment, machinery, peak performance and hotel loads. In addition, new types of applications are being thought of as we speak.”

The Octopus Series currently offers two main types of battery modules: High Energy and High Power. The High Energy batteries are designed for long-duration and large-scale battery installations, said to be suitable for medium and large ships that sail electrically.

The High Power modules deliver lots of power (kW), combined with limited energy storage (kWh), meaning a short charging time. This can be used in fast-charging ferries that make short trips and need to charge during stops.

The company says it is also at an advanced stage with the development of a lite and lite XL version of the Octopus batteries.

In addition to a fixed configuration — placing the system in a dedicated battery room — the Octopus Series battery system is available as a containerised solution that can be placed on different types of vessels to offer flexibility. The Octopus Containerised Solution is available in both 10 and 20-foot containers.

The Octopus Series battery system is the second EST-Floattech system that has received DNV-type approval. EST says the Octopus Series has been designed with safety systems to prevent the battery cells from reaching critical limits.

“EST started developing battery systems to be used on board ships already some 14 years ago, as soon as it became apparent that energy storage systems would play an important role in the reduction of CO2 emitted by shipping,” says Mark Witjens, CEO at EST-Floattech.

“Our innovative Octopus system can be applied at such a scale, that it will pass the so-called positive tipping point and we have sized our new production facilities and methods to accommodate this expected increase in demand. The associated increase in production volume will enable a further reduction in cost, making the Octopus Series another big step towards a zero-emission maritime industry.”

EST-Floattech says the first modules have come off the production line and are being installed in customers’ vessels.

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