(OFF) POWERX SIGNS LOI WITH DNV

Tokyo-based PowerX, Inc. has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with DNV to collaborate on the technical assessment of the Power Transfer Vessel (Power ARK) and its battery system, as well as the potential development of a new class notation for Power ARK’s global implementation.

Through this collaboration, PowerX and DNV will chart new opportunities in the renewable energy sector, as the Power ARK redefines established conventions for both the maritime and onshore power utility industries, PowerX said.

The LOI will see DNV and PowerX collaborate on the assessment of the Power ARK concept and identifying key standards or class notations relevant to the project; defining relevant standards to apply for safety validation and statutory certification and advising on alternative design approaches where statutory regulations are missing, inadequate, or are not fully relevant/applicable today; establishing certification methodology for the battery systems used onboard; system design and optimization strategies to simulate and protect battery safety, performance, etc.; and the development and implementation of a new standard/class notation relating to essential safety and performance parameters necessary to the Power ARK concept. offshoreWIND.biz - link - Adnan Durakovic - link - more like this - link

POWER ARKS - ENERGY TRANSPORTERS

Is there an alternative to bringing offshore wind power to shore via subsea cables? Japanese start-up PowerX thinks so. 

It says that new Japanese government targets for renewable energy will require a boost of offshore wind power from the current 20 MW to 10 GW by fiscal 2030 and to 30-45 GW by fiscal 2040. PowerX is offering a solution aimed to allow a greater flexibility for offshore wind farm locations, especially for an island country like Japan.

PowerX plans to design and build a range of automated power transfer vessels, called Power Arks, with massive battery payloads to transport offshore wind power to shore.

The company argues that an undersea power cable typically requires expensive construction that comes with substantial environmental impacts. In comparison, the power transfer vessel is resilient to natural disasters, requires less time and cost for development, leaves minimal impact on the environment, and is therefore is able to expand the potential of offshore wind power significantly.

Most of the world’s energy is transported by ships, in the form of fuel such as oil, gas, and coal. Currently, 84.9% of Japan’s power is generated by burning carbon-based fuels imported by ships.

“As the world shifts away from fossil fuels,” says PowerX, “the energy ship of the future will carry electricity from clean and renewable sources, replacing the fuel-carrying carbon ships of today.” - link - Nick Blenkey - link - more like this - link