Shift Clean Energy to power GRSE’s first fully electric ferry

Canadian battery company Shift Clean Energy has partnered with Indian shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) to provide energy storage system to run GRSE’s first fully electric ferry.

PHOTO: Keel laying ceremony of GRSE’s first fully electric ferry. Shift Clean Energy

Designed by GRSE, the vessel is expected to be delivered by the end of next month.

Shift Clean Energy provides battery-based energy storage system, which it claims can help decarbonise shipping. It says customers can save money and improve efficiency by combining the system with renewable energy.

Integration of the electric power system on the ferry will be handled by Dubai-based Technology Ventures Middle East (TV-ME) and Mumbai-headquartered Marine Electricals. The vessel will also be equipped with solar panels for additional source of renewable energy.

The ferry has been commissioned by the Indian state of West Bengal to “decarbonize its marine industry.” Upon completion, it is expected to make around 40 trips daily carrying passengers along central waterways in the state.

This is an important step towards decarbonisation of shipping in India, Shift Clean Energy’s chief executive Brent Perry says.

Although this small-scale electric vessel is unlikely to make much of a difference in reducing global greeenhouse gas emissions, it can provide valuable technical and operational experience for developers of bigger electrical vessels.

By Tuhin Roy

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