Plymouth's Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL)

Plymouth's Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL) will offer a network of shore-side charging facilities for electric marine vessels operating in Plymouth Sound. This innovative project will expand greatly on current activities, support new business growth and the development of further electric vessels. The presence of charging equipment on multiple sites will also create a test environment for vessels of all shapes and sizes.

Plymouth Sound already has two operational electric vessels, and more are currently being designed and refitted. The infrastructure created through MeLL will enable continued growth and innovation, deliver considerable economic benefits and create a blueprint that can be adapted to fit ports and harbours across the UK.

The project will bring together a consortia of partners with considerable expertise in this sector, comprising the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council, National Grid, Western Power Distribution, Princess Yachts, Plymouth Boat Trips and Aqua Superpower. Their collective experience and knowledge will provide Plymouth with a truly unique and ground-breaking facility.

In essence, the project will look at every aspect of the process and infrastructure required for clean propulsion. It will take into account supply, location, viability, demand, types of end users and research areas for forward planning, predictions and solutions-based test environments. Key areas of work will include:

•Identifying suitable locations for grid connections

•Installing charging facilities

•Supporting differing customer demands

•Further understanding the market

•Identifying opportunities linked to the FreePort scheme

•Collecting data to support research into environmental and other impacts

•Sharing details across all partners so the model can become an adaptable framework for other locations

The inclusion of industry partners means we will be able to design solutions that take into account parameters such as duty cycle, size, speed and manoeuvrability. Bringing in National Grid and Western Power Distribution will support both local grid connections and knowledge exchange, but also develop an understanding around how shore-side charging can be rolled out nationally. We will also explore ways to standardise charging points as this will be a critical step for the future.

The government has made considerable commitments around the deployment of electric vehicles on land, and the innovation required to make that achievable can also be applied on water. Plymouth is already fast becoming a cluster of excellence and growth in electrification and the MeLL project will ensure it continues leading that charge.