10167474Subsea Inductive Power Transfer SystemClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis innovation proposes an underwater contactless inductive power transfer system for rapid battery recharging for working commercial vessels, enabling as-normal operation using cheap, battery-electric powertrains, opening the door to low-cost, autonomous and decarbonised inshore vessels. The proposal's motivation is that multiple marine vessel types are currently constrained by poor energy density of battery-electric powertrains, and also often operate in sensitive marine environments, e.g. unmanned long-endurance survey vessels, inshore ferries, port vessels. Nearly all currently utilise fossil fuels because they cannot tolerate long interruptions to their work-cycles for recharging. Alternative decarbonisation options, for example hydrogen fuel cells, tend to much more costly: a major barrier to decarbonisation in the South West, UK and across most western economies. Defence Security Inductive Power Ltd (DSIP) have a product that will solve this issue by making opportunistic and automated recharging of batteries possible without interruption to work cycles. The product is an induction system located just subsurface, automatically engaging receivers on vessels. It will mate with a vessel requesting power automatically, without human time; be less visible for material thefts (copper); have no metallic surfaces to corrode; and can transfer energy rapidly (up to 10 kW). Use-cases include autonomous survey vessels recharged during operation by a second vessel; a ferry opportunistically recharging during embarkation at each side of a river crossing; a harbour master's rib recharging opportunistically whenever alongside. By reducing technological and cost barriers to battery-electric powertrains, this innovation facilitates swift decarbonisation of many work vessels, utilising relatively low-cost green electricity. Vessels in our region switching to battery-electric and using this charging system will be ideal demonstrators for other UK, European and global vessel operators, giving regional businesses a market lead. Estimates for smaller and inshore vessels to benefit from this technology are 6 million inshore boats, including leisure, port vessels, ferries, survey vessels, spread across 10,000 marinas and ports. Driven by national and international regulation for emissions in larger vessels, over time the majority, if not all of these smaller vessels will be required to decarbonise. The proposed demonstrator product will be showcased at several ports around the region (Bristol, Falmouth, Portland, Appledore) to sectors including inshore ferries, uncrewed survey vessels, and harbour vessels. Maritime UKSW has a strong track record in delivering well-attended decarbonisation events, and will lead this activity. After the funding period, the product will be launched by DSIP on our own vessel, with manufacture in DSIP's Cornish base.