The German maker of lithium-ion battery systems Akasol and the Norwegian pioneer of maritime energy storage solutions ZEM have worked together on the development of AKAZEM. The result is a unique autonomous IP 67 compliant fluid-cooled modular system that can be combined in a "lego-like" fashion to meet smaller vessels space and power requirements up a 2C power range at costs that open many new applications.
The first joint product, AKAZEM 15, is a modular battery unit specifically designed for work boats for the aquaculture industry, fishing boats and smaller passenger ferries. This self-contained 24kWh IP 67 system It is likely to become a game changer, as its quality, safety and price are based on the large-series-production of the AKAsystem OEM designed for buses.
Sven Schulz, CEO of Akasol, and Jan-Olaf Willums Chairman and co-founder of ZEM, announced today the results of this cooperation at the international shipping exhibition NorShipping in Oslo. Together they will develop, produce and distribute worldwide AKAZEM, a modular turnkey high performance battery system that thanks to its fully self-contained nature and IP 67 rating can find many applications in yachts, service vessels, lifeboats, fishing vessels and small passenger and tourist vessels.
The project was initiated when ZEM was looking for a solution for free-fall lifeboats in the offshore industry, where reliability, safety and space were paramount requirements. In parallel, the strong growth in the aquaculture sector asked for a modular IP 67 compliant solution, where you need compact reliable energy storage with up to 2C power at competitive prices.
Akasol has developed modular solution for buses and trains, and will produce a rapidly increasing numbers for several large customers. "The quality and good engineering expertise, which we found in the AKASystem OEM, is in our opinion the best basis for a first-class maritime energy storage system for smaller vessels" says Egil Mollestad, CEO of ZEM. â€Therefore, we decided to work with Akasol and develop a fully self-contained modular system that can pass all maritime certification tests and thanks to its IP67 rating can be placed in all kinds of vessels.â€
The AKAZEM modular systems will be used in the world's first battery-driven freefall lifeboats, a joint project with the company Norsafe, that will have a world premiere in Norshipping. Moen Marine will also announce a partnership agreement to use the AKAZEM solutions in their new series of aquaculture and fishing vessels.
ZEM adapts the AKAsystem OEM, to be produced at a new factory in large quantities for international bus manufacturers, to maritime requirements, including validation and certification of the classification society DNV-GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority. The Norwegian specialists will be responsible for the final Assembly, electrical integration and customer acceptance test in its production facilities in Karmøy on the West coast of Norway.
AKAZEM can be put together to meet small (from 25 kWh) to larger energy requirements. It is thus very scalable and easily replaceable and can be customized to connect in many applications. The unique modularity opened a wide range of applications, from use for the all-electric or plug-in hybrid operation by winches, cranes and pumps.
