A boost for energy storage

Battery expertise at Foreship has been given a significant boost with the appointment of William Nyström, Specialist, Energy Storage Systems. The electro-mechanics engineer has quickly been applying his deep knowledge of battery cell chemistry to projects involving the zero-emission power source.  

Originally joining Foreship as an intern, William Nyström completed his master's in energy storage systems for large cruise vessels five years ago at Åbo Akademi University while also working hands-on in several shipboard battery room projects.

A sideways move to Valmet Automotive EV Power (now Ioncor) during cruise shipping’s Covid lull brought experience in a different and fast-expanding area of electric propulsion before William was invited to rejoin Foreship’s expanding Technology Department earlier this year.

Foreship has worked extensively on cruise ships, ferries, and merchant vessels on projects involving Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and lithium titanate oxide (LTO) chemistries that are widely used at sea. To date, it has undertaken over 50 energy storage system feasibility, consultancy, or installation projects.

It has also contributed to the European Marine Safety Agency Guidance on the Safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on board ships, to the Maritime Battery Forum guideline for firefighting, as well as the guideline towards standardisation of containerized systems.

William says that, due to the recent progress in LFP technology towards higher energy density and lower cost, owners and operators are showing increased interest in this option. In general, LFP and LTO chemistries are considered safer, also offering a relatively long cycle life, he adds. However, he also emphasizes that the operational profile and use case should determine chemistry selection.

“It’s essential to choose the right chemistry to reflect the ship’s operational profile, whether the battery is supporting zero emission propulsion or used in an auxiliary role for spinning reserve so that one engine can be shut down or for peak load shaving.”

Considerations will include energy requirements, the need for short-term and long-term power, price, weight, integration with other systems and safety, while tighter rules on battery recyclability from 2025 in the EU also need special attention, he says.

“This is a key period for the shipboard battery, when established technologies are scaling up, continuously improving and bringing down costs,” says William. “Expertise that is independent of battery suppliers, integrators or shipyards is vital when owners consider their energy storage system options.”