Electric Hybrid Marine Technology
  • News
    • A-M
      • Battery Technology
      • Environmental
      • Equipment and Services
      • Expo
      • Ferries and Cruises
      • Marine Construction
      • Marine Renewables
    • N-Z
      • Naval Projects
      • Onboard Systems
      • Ports and Harbours
      • Power and Propulsion
      • Shipyards and Shipbuilding
      • Vessel Build and Maintenance
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Electric Hybrid Marine Technology
  • News
      • Alternative Fuels
      • Autonomous Technology
      • Awards
      • Battery Technology
      • Expo
      • Ferries and Cruises
      • Hydrogen
      • Legislation
      • Motor Technologies
      • New Vessels
      • Onboard Systems
      • Ports and Harbours
      • Power and Propulsion
      • Shipyards and Shipbuilding
      • Vessel Design
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April/May 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. September 2024
    4. April 2024
    5. Archive Issues
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    May 14, 2025

    In this issue – April/May 2025

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    In this issue – April/May 2025

    May 14, 2025

    In this issue – January 2025

    December 2, 2024

    In this issue – September 2024

    August 22, 2024
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Awards
    • Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards 2025 – Nominations open
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Electric Hybrid Marine Technology
Features

Leclanché expands energy storage solutions to meet growing e-marine needs

Dean Jennings, VP, e-Marine Business, LeclanchéBy Dean Jennings, VP, e-Marine Business, LeclanchéJune 23, 20207 Mins Read
Share
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

In 2018, over 138 million tonnes of CO2 was created from the European maritime transportation industry. Incorporating electric-powered marine transportation can easily reduce greenhouse gases; Leclanché is committed to being at the forefront of marine transportation electrification.

To accomplish this goal, Leclanché has developed expertise in providing state-of-the-art battery systems to support a variety of applications in the maritime sector. Its battery systems are currently being used to power fully electric vessels, for peak shaving, as spinning reserves and to enable zero-emission operation modes on numerous projects worldwide.

Leclanché develops world’s most powerful e-ferry
Leclanché’s e-Marine business unit’s emergence as a true pioneer in the electric and hybrid e-marine industry is underscored by its recently completed battery energy storage system for the world’s longest-range, all-electric ferry. The 100% fully battery powered e-ferry Ellen, though not the largest in physical size, is equipped with the world’s largest all-electric ferry powertrain. Every aspect of the vessel is powered by battery technology – from the engine to lighting to heating and the bow-loading doors. It was developed and funded under the European Commission’s Horizon €80bn (US£90bn) 2020 program, the EU’s biggest EU Research and Innovation program.

Ellen initially connects the ports of Søby and Fynshav, on the islands of Aerø and Als, in southern Denmark. This revolutionary groundbreaking vessel, which made its inaugural commercial voyage in August 2019, carries approximately 30 vehicles and 200 passengers.

It is powered by a battery system with an unprecedented capacity of 4.3MWh provided by Leclanché. The high-energy graphite/nickel-manganese cobalt lithium oxide (G-NMC lithium-ion) battery cells with a bi-cell laminate design and ceramic separators maximize safety.

It allows for increased sailing range so it can complete more trips before needing to power up. Ellen’s state-of-the-art charging system incorporates a fully automated shore connection. When the e-ferry needs to charge, its energy storage system keeps its time at port brief – as short as one hour for a full charge.

From its first passenger trip on August 15, 2019, through May 2020, e-ferry Ellen has completed 1,000 trips at 40km each with an average uptime of 99%. Compared with a diesel-powered ferry, the vessel is expected to reduce annual emissions by 2,000 tonnes of CO2 , 42 tonnes of NOx, 2.5 tonnes of particulates and 1.4 tonnes of SOx.

Leclanché’s innovative marine rack system (MRS), where the storage system resides, is marine-type approved by RINA and DVN-GL and makes the e-ferry remarkable in many ways. It was designed from the ground up with a key focus on safety at all levels. The Leclanché G/NMC cells feature laminated ceramic separators to prevent internal short circuits; the IP65 water-resistant module enclosures prevent water ingress; all modules have water cooling systems to maintain optimum operating temperature; and an advanced foam-based automatic fire suppression system is fitted to each battery rack.

E-ferry development projects underway with Damen and Wasaline
The e-ferry’s success — proving more efficient and less expensive to maintain than a traditional diesel ferry (and far kinder to the environment) — is very promising for future e-marine deployments.

Leclanché is partnering with Dutch shipbuilding group Damen to build the battery storage systems for two passenger/car ferries that will be the first in North America with the ability to operate fully electric with propulsion systems powered by batteries of 1.9MWh and 4.6MWh capacity respectively. Operational speed of these 300-passenger/42-car e-ferries will be 12kts (13.8mph or 22.2km/h), which matches conventional propulsion, and with e-ferry’s zero emissions, will conservatively remove 7,000 tonnes of CO2  each year.

Leclanché will also be providing the battery energy storage system (BESS) for the on-shore recharging system for the Damen ferries. This turnkey approach offers significant benefits to future shipbuilders, ports and harbor authorities seeking a frictionless way to accommodate these state-of-the-art vessels.

Leclanché’s first electric hybrid project is underway for Wasaline, the Nordic-based shipping company and ferry operator, and will be one of the world’s first roll-on, roll-off passenger (RoPax) ferries with zero-emission sailing mode upon commissioning. Leclanché’s 2.35MWh capacity batteries are configured for the 800-passenger vessel’s operation while in port without using main engines. The energy storage system is charged from shore power, which is also used for the vessel’s other power needs during its stay in harbor. In total, the Wasaline RoPax ferries are forecast to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50%, NOx by 90% and SOx by 99%.

Expanded applications to container vessels and drilling platforms
Leclanché has begun to employ its battery storage expertise in different maritime applications beyond e-ferries. The company has a contract with Kongsberg, an international marine systems provider, to build the Yara Birkeland, the world’s first autonomous, all-electric container vessel. Scheduled for commercial operation late in Q4 2020, this revolutionary all electric container ship will be powered by Leclanché batteries with 6.7MWh capacity and will be charged with clean Norwegian hydro-power energy during loading and unloading. Its operation will result in annual emissions savings of 700 tons of CO2 . The container vessel will also slash NOx and SOx emissions to zero and remove up to 40,000 annual truck journeys from Porsgrunn to the hubs of Larvik and Brevik, reducing noise and dust and improving safety.

The company’s battery storage technology is also being utilized in other marine applications including semi-submersible drilling platforms. Leclanché is currently designing an MRS hybrid electric-power system for a semi-submersible, hybrid drilling unit that will be used in deep water oil exploration. This will be the first of a new generation of ultra-harsh environment semi-submersibles, specifically designed to meet the challenges of the world’s most extreme seas.

When pressed into service, the semi-submersible vessel will reduce the environmental impact of drilling operations with an innovative hybrid power system complete with 1.91MW capacity batteries that will contribute significantly to reducing fuel oil consumption and minimizing CO2  and NOx emissions. The rig has been designed to reduce well construction times, improve safety, minimize costs and reduce the environmental impact of drilling operations.

Commitment to R&D and state-of-the-art battery technology
Into its second century, Leclanché continues to invest heavily in new battery cell technology using high capacity cathode materials. With the introduction of its new 60Ah G/NMC cells, at 196Wh/kg and 460Wh/liter – and more breakthroughs in the pipeline – Leclanché is securing its position among the best in the industry in terms of energy density and cycle lifetime.

This position will be further strengthened by the launch of its M3 Module which will be assembled in an all-new production facility that will increase production capability by a factor of 11. These new M3 Modules will benefit from a similar very high cycle life  as previous generations (up to 8,000 cycles) yet also have an enhanced energy density of between 15% to 20% per module. The M3 Module is expected to go into production in 2021.

Leclanché’s recent signing of an industrial partnership agreement with Poland’s Eneris Group will result in significant expansion of its battery cell production capacity to meet the growing demands of the e-marine sector.

All of the aforementioned projects are powered by Leclanché’s vertically integrated technologies designed, engineered and produced in-house from cells and modules to battery management systems and racks, all the way to containerized solutions in the Company’s Swiss and German sites.

With its highly knowledgeable e-marine team, project experience, cutting-edge technology and commitment to customer satisfaction, Leclanché is uniquely positioned to help the maritime industry navigate the planet’s waterways in an environmentally friendly manner.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleTmax-Battery Housing for lithium-ion systems
Next Article New electric and hybrid propulsion systems

Related Posts

Features

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: René Hansen, CEO of X Shore

February 10, 20259 Mins Read
Features

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Evoy and Exopar

February 3, 202511 Mins Read
Features

CASE STUDY: Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard

January 27, 20257 Mins Read
Latest News

Two hybrid police boats christened at Port of Hamburg

May 16, 2025

Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards 2025: Shortlist revealed!

May 16, 2025

Bureau Veritas calls for standardized electrification safety regulations

May 15, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • Adwatec
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
UKi Media & Events
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by