CanUK vessel-to-grid

Trailblazing clean maritime
Plymouth harbour marina

CanUK vessel-to-grid

Trailblazing clean maritime
Project title:  CanUK vessel-to-grid 
Funded by: Innovate UK, secured through the Canada-UK Collaborative R&D competition
Funding amount: £1.8 million
Project duration: 2024–2025
 
CanUK vessel-to-grid (V2G) brings together UK and Canadian consortia working collaboratively to develop the world's first V2G project. 
With real-world installations in both Plymouth (UK) and Halifax (Canada), the project will showcase V2G technology in contrasting environmental and operational conditions, demonstrating the ability of e-vessels to deliver key energy services that enhance energy security. 
 

What is vessel-to-grid technology?

V2G technology allows electric vessels to export energy from their batteries back to the grid or to a designated site, contributing to energy flexibility and grid balancing.
This bi-directional flow of energy enables vessels to act as a vital energy resource when they are docked and not in active use, ensuring optimal energy management for stakeholders like ports, harbour operators, vessel owners, and grid network providers.
A diagram showing the Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels demonstration

Key Objectives

  • Innovative V2G technology: Develop and implement bi-directional charging capabilities on electric vessels, allowing for energy transfer to and from vessel batteries.
  • Real-world testing: Install V2G technology in both Plymouth (UK) and Halifax (Canada), showcasing how the technology performs in different environments and operational conditions.
  • Energy services: Demonstrate how V2G can provide valuable grid flexibility services, increase energy security, and support the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.
  • Interoperability: Enable the seamless integration of vessels, chargers, grid systems, and software management through key communication protocols.
  • Environmental and operational insights: Conduct lab testing to better understand the operational and environmental parameters of marine batteries, enhancing their performance in the maritime sector.
 

Innovation and technology development

The CanUK project seeks to adapt bi-directional technology from the automotive industry for use in the marine environment. This involves a thorough testing process, including:
  • Lab testing: Conducting detailed tests of batteries and equipment to assess the operational and environmental factors that impact marine battery performance.
  • V2G standards: Integrating V2G standards into RS Electric's 63 kWh workboats, with ongoing research and development focused on battery and drive solutions.
  • Platform integration: Developing a management platform that integrates all V2G components, ensuring interoperability between vessels, chargers, and grid systems.
Electric charging station
 

Working in partnership

This transatlantic collaboration brings together leading experts from both the UK and Canada, each contributing valuable knowledge and expertise.

UK Consortium:

  • Aqua superPower: Marine chargepoint operator, facilitating the charging infrastructure for V2G systems.
  • University of Plymouth: Offering expertise in marine electrification and battery chemistry, supporting the development of marine-compatible V2G solutions.
  • RS Electric Boats: Vessel manufacturer providing the e-vessels for V2G integration.
  • RAD Propulsion: Provider of electric drive solutions, enabling efficient propulsion systems for e-vessels.

Canadian consortium:

  • Rimot (BlueGrid): Marine V2G software leader, responsible for developing the software solutions for managing energy flow between vessels and the grid.
  • COVE: Marine technology and market experts, providing guidance on marine sector integration and commercialisation.
  • Lennox Island First Nation: Supporting skills training to empower local communities with knowledge on marine energy technologies.
  • Dalhousie University: Providing advanced research on battery energy systems, contributing to the development of efficient energy storage solutions for the marine sector.

Plymouth team

Clean Maritime

Trailblazing clean maritime innovation

At Plymouth, we are among the UK's leading proponents of clean maritime research, with a track record in consistently securing government funding through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
Through engagement with business and the wider scientific community, we are co-creating ways of transforming this research into practical solutions to challenges faced by the marine and maritime sectors.

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy