Class approval for marine Li-Ion battery banks

DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have all certified the Corvus Lithium-Ion polymer battery banks, which have been successfully employed in the conversions to the Scandlines ferries and Eidesvik’s Viking Lady offshore supply vessel, as well as having been specified for the newbuild Norwegian electrically-powered ferry Folgefonn. The technology is intended not only to reduce or eliminate inefficient low-load engine operation, supply reserve power and cut emissions in harbour, but also to serve as a main propulsion power source.

In order to obtain the approvals, the Corvus system underwent a variety of tests by independent accredited laboratories to replicate the extreme environmental conditions the system may encounter in a commercial marine application. Corvus says that the system has been designed and built handle the extreme duty conditions encountered in a commercial marine engine room, and is up to 10 times more powerful than lead-acid batteries, and significantly more powerful than currently available lithium alternatives. The company says the system can operate from -40 to +60°C, withstand shocks of 30G, and continuous vibration of 8G.

“Customers have been impressed by the robust quality exhibited by our product and the technical expertise of our engineers,” said Chris Kruger, vice president engineering, Corvus Energy. “DNV GL, Lloyd’s and ABS approval will provide industry-wide confidence in the next generation of batteries.”

“Through the extensive testing and DNV Type Approval, the Lithium-Ion-battery power system shows it is comprehensive and robust, and truly worthy to be the first one type approved by DNV GL,” said DNV GL’s Nick Roper, manager of district Pacific, and maritime North America.

“Lloyd’s Register is pleased to provide Type Approval for Corvus Energy’s Lithium polymer battery,” said Bud Streeter, vice president of Lloyd’s Register North America and marine manager for Canada. “As an unbiased, third-party organisation, we verify that Corvus Energy’s AT6500 module conforms to the producer’s specification, to national and international standards, and that an appropriate level of product safety is achieved.”