Ebusco has received an order from Zero Emission Services (ZES) to supply charging technology to power zero-emission inland vessels. The Dutch company, of which Ebusco holds 40%, sells swappable energy containers for ships. These so-called ZESpacks are used to power inland vessels and, when empty, can be swapped at an exchange and charging station.
The idea borrows from swappable battery systems, known from the car industry via Nio, for example. ZES founded itself on the idea in 2020. Ebusco became involved in 2022 when the Dutch manufacturer took over 40% of the ZES from founding partner Engie. The bus specialist announced then that it wanted to increase its influence in the maritime sector.
From Ebusco’s point of view, the participation in ZES from the start marked the beginning of cooperation “in which ZES can benefit from Ebusco’s experience with batteries and battery management systems”. Following a regular tender, this cooperation is now indeed bearing fruit.
ZES announces that it has placed an order with Ebusco to deliver ten Docking Solutions and an option for five more. The Docking Solutions will charge ZESpacks to supply the vessels with power while underway. In addition to this en-route charging solution, ZES was also looking for a way to supply ships with shore power during loading and unloading. The choice fell on an Ebusco Discharge Station and a Charging Station.
The shore power system consists of a container equipped to supply ships with electricity during loading and unloading stops. Ebusco remarks that this is a plug-and-play solution since the Discharge Station is not connected to the public electricity grid but is used in combination with energy containers, allowing the station to be moved easily.
The six ZESpacks can, in turn, utilize the Charging System, which can charge several energy containers simultaneously via a 20-foot container. The installation can also balance the power grid when not used for inland navigation.
Bart Hoevenaars, CEO of Zero Emission Services, said Ebusco was a “reliable partner with a deep understanding of batteries”. The purchase of several Docking Solutions, a Discharge Station and a Charging Station also take the company “one step closer to zero emission”.
Source: Ebusco