Dutch maritime technology company Wattlab has launched WEstack, a standardized battery system for inland shipping that the Rotterdam-based company says can be installed on a vessel within a single working day. The goal is to remove cost and installation complexity as barriers to battery adoption on cargo vessels—a sector where custom-engineered systems have historically required weeks of installation work.

WEstack is fully assembled and tested at Wattlab’s workshop before delivery. Once on board, it needs only to be connected. The system sits on the aft deck, and is designed for both new builds and retrofits across a range of inland vessel types, from dry cargo ships to tankers and small coastal vessels.

The operational case is built around diesel generator inefficiency. Inland vessel generators typically run at 10–15% of rated capacity, which is a poor operating point for fuel consumption and maintenance. A battery allows the generator to run at its efficient load point long enough to charge the pack, then shuts down while the battery supplies power to the vessel. Wattlab says an 80–90% reduction in generator operating hours is possible.

The system comes in four standard capacities: 100, 200, 300, and 400 kWh. Standardization is what makes the one-day install possible and keeps costs below custom-built alternatives.

Wattlab says it has deployed its technology on more than 30 vessels worldwide.

“Alternative fuels are likely to remain scarce and expensive for the foreseeable future,” said Bo Salet, CEO of Wattlab. “Energy efficiency is the fastest and most cost-effective route to reducing emissions in the sector.”

Source: Wattlab