‘Game-changing’ fireproof marine battery

Gennal Engineering’s Blue G is a vanadium redox flow battery system which, uniquely, does not produce excess heat when charging or discharging energy.

Slated for prototype testing later this year, the system comprises a water-based electrolyte solution, storage tank, stack cell and regulating pump.

Gareth Burton, ABS vice president, technology called the technology a ‘potential game changer’ for batteries at sea. “It has the advantages of a long lifespan, greatly improved energy capacity and an improved safety profile as a non-flammable product,” he said.

“This technology is one that has the potential to accelerate the energy transition in the maritime industry, supporting global decarbonisation goals,” he added.

Gennal highlights advantages of its new system including scalability and a longer lifespan – more than 25 years, double that of a typical lithium-ion battery. When decommissioned, the vanadium electrolyte can be easily extracted and recycled.