International Battery to Energize One of the World's Largest Hybrid Electric Sailing Yachts
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International Battery and Electric Marine Propulsion Team Up to Build Hybrid Power Trains
ALLENTOWN, Pa - International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer, designer and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells, batteries and energy storage systems (ESS), today announced it has partnered with Electric Marine Propulsion (EMP) to build a hybrid power train for the world's largest plug-in, hybrid-electric sailboats - a 60 foot Tag Yachts catamaran running on wind-generated electricity stored in International Battery's lithium-ion batteries.
Christened Tang at her September 21 launching, the carbon-fiber speedster is undergoing tests at Tag facilities in St. Francis Bay, South Africa. She'll set sail later this year to her owner in Florida and will appear at the Miami sailboat show in February.
"This is a transformational combination of technologies," said Dave Tether, CEO of Electric Marine Propulsion (EMP). "Our E Motion hybrid system converts wind and solar energy into a practical power source for boat motors and auxiliaries. And, International Battery's lithium cells provide the lightweight, high-capacity storage that really lets us take advantage of it."
The main renewable energy input to the large-format battery pack is electricity regenerated by wind power as the boat's propellers spin in the wake, under sail. The propellers turn the 18-kilowatt propulsion motors, which automatically become generators and send electricity back to the batteries.
"The initial thrust and response when engaging forward is vastly better than anything experienced with standard diesel propulsion," said Tim van der Steene, managing director of Tag Yachts. "It's quiet, and the power is there instantly. It goes hand-in-hand with sailing, which is about moving in harmony with nature, quietly, without polluting the environment."
When there's not enough wind, twin 22-kilowatt diesel generators kick in automatically for recharging, together or individually as needed. The generators are 144-volt dc units that recharge the batteries directly without the normal energy loss incurred through a charger.
The batteries also can be charged with a 144-volt charger that plugs into shore power. The charger handles a wide range of voltages and frequencies, a big advantage in out-of-the way ports with erratic supplies of electricity.
"We're very excited to work with EMP to provide the energy storage for their hybrid electric system in marine applications," said International Battery's CEO, Ake Almgren. "Using our large-format lithium prismatic cells as the building blocks, we can provide battery systems with high energy density which means smaller footprints and lower weight. In addition, because we use a unique, environmentally friendly, water-based manufacturing process, our batteries will feel right at home storing clean, renewable energy for this hybrid vessel and others to follow."
Tang's hybrid system includes twin E motion 18-kilowatt permanent-magnet motors and International Battery's lithium cells configured into a 144-volt battery pack. The pack's total energy capacity is a hefty 46 kilowatt-hours. That's more than twice the usable capacity of an 8D battery pack - the largest conventional size carried with the E motion system. Yet the lithium pack weighs roughly 40 percent less.
This extra energy capacity allows the sailing yacht to offer more luxury (and power hungry) amenities to passengers including a 37 inch flat screen TV, Bose entertainment system, LED lighting, café-size espresso machine, two refrigerator-freezers, dishwasher, microwave, conventional oven, gas or electrical burner top, washer-dryer, air-conditioning, and a water maker.
To keep the battery cells working at optimum levels, International Battery's battery management system (BMS) actively balances the battery cells during charge and discharge. The BMS compares each individual cell and diverts current to or from the cells to bring all cells to an equal level.
The luxury hybrid powered yacht will sail across the Atlantic to its owner and make an appearance in a U.S. boat show later this year. In addition, Dave Tether, the CEO of Electric Marine Propulsion (EMP) will be presenting "Electric-Powering Options" at the International Boat Builders' Exhibit & Conference (IBEX), September 28-30 in Louisville, Kentucky.
For more information on International Battery's advanced technology batteries, please visit: www.internationalbattery.com or call (610) 366-3925.
About Electric Marine Propulsion
Electric Marine Propulsion, LLC (www.electricmarinepropulsion.org/Index.html) was founded by David E. Tether, who has been designing and building electric propulsion systems since 1994.) Doing business as E motion Hybrids, the company develops and commercializes hybrid electric propulsion technology for boats to enable more economical, efficient and environmentally sound conversion of energy to mechanical power.
About Tag Yachts
TAG yachts (www.tagyachts.com) was established in March 2007 by like-minded people with a passion for sailing and building high performance cruising catamarans. We have established Tag Yachts as a forward thinking company, focused on developing the next generation cruising catamaran. We have engaged the top catamaran designer and put together a team of professionals with complimentary talents to take TAG Yachts into the future.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com) is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
