Mobile 'electric power plant' at sea

Japan's Battery Tanker X ship is equipped with 96 lithium iron phosphate battery modules, capable of carrying 241 MWh of clean electricity with a range of 300 km.

Simulation of the Battery Tanker X electric transport ship. Photo: PowerX

Japanese company PowerX is developing a “mobile power plant” in the form of a 140-meter-long battery ship that can transport 241 megawatts of renewable energy over short distances at sea, New Atlas reported on May 30. Renewable energy is often produced far from where the electricity is needed, so ships equipped with a series of battery packs would make it easier to transport the electricity to its destination.

PowerX said Japan is surrounded by deep seas and prone to earthquakes, making it difficult to use power transmission cables. In addition, shipping electricity helps overcome problems such as long downtime (when undersea cables malfunction and need repair), the cost of connecting ultra-high voltage and large substations.

The design of the prototype electric carrier, called Battery Tanker X, was revealed by PowerX at the Bariship International Maritime Exhibition held in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, on May 29. The prototype is equipped with 96 lithium iron phosphate battery modules with the size of a container. Battery Tanker X is electric with a maximum expected range of 300 km. The electric carrier will also be equipped with emission control and fire suppression systems.

PowerX is also developing another version called Power Ark that is much larger than the Battery Tanker X. Power Ark is expected to be equipped with 8 times more lithium, meaning it can carry up to 2 GWh of electricity - enough to power about 70,000 average American families for a whole day.

PowerX is establishing a new subsidiary, Ocean Power Grid, to commercialize the new technology. With the detailed design of the prototype complete, the company aims to build Battery Tanker X by 2025. Domestic and international field testing is expected to begin in 2026.

Thu Thao (According to New Atlas )

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