HARPOONERS (High voltage, modular and low weight electric powertrains for next generation waterborne transport)
Scope:
The three Innovation Pillars of HARPOONERS project are
(i) weight of the battery energy storage systems (BESS), (ii) the reliability for trouble-free routing and reduction of operating and maintenance costs, and (iii) the safety to enable the large-scale adoption and remove any concern of vessel owners.
This project aims to drive the development of a unique modular concept for interfacing with HV on-board grids, characterized by a high compactness due to the integration of key components in a single configuration, thus eliminating the transformer and a cooling system. This “AC battery system” will be developed together with the management systems for a reliable operation in future powertrains of all-electric or hybrid vessels with reduced emissions.
The expected outcome is a reduced weight, reliable and safer BESS that will allow the uptake of the HARPOONERS solution in both maritime and IW vessels, to further increase the battery capacity and achieve a longer autonomy. This is extremely beneficial in small/ medium vessels, in which full electrification will be possible, thus eliminating the use of the combustion engine and its associated CO2 and other emissions, but also on large vessels in which the HARPOONERS solution with less use of raw materials will lead to a reduced environmental impact and lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.
To achieve this, HARPOONERS has gathered a balanced European-wide partnership with organizations from the key value chains, such as research, battery system and power electronics manufacturers, shipping owners, and a Classification Society.
The HARPOONERS consortium consists of 13 partners with an overall budget of €7.497M over 3 years with 100% grant from EU.
Work Packages
WP1: Project coordination and management (TECN)
WP2: System Requirements and Specifications Definition (GRI)
WP3: Novel Powertrain Development for HV Maritime and Inland Applications (TECN)
WP4: Safety Lifecycle and identification of the certification requirements (LR)
WP5: DT Technologies and Cloud Connection Real-Time Monitoring (VUB)
WP6: System Integration, testing and validation (ELKON)
WP7: Accelerating commercial exploitation, technoeconomic analysis and deployment plans (COR)
WP8: Innovation management of KERs, recommendations and dissemination/ exploitation (INLE)
Duration
2025 - 2028
Partners
- Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation (TECN), Spain
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
- Ait Austrian Institute Of Technology Gmbh (AIT), Austria
- Foundacion De La Comunidad Valenciana (FV), Spain
- Opleidingscentrum Voor Hout En Bouw Vzw (OHB), Belgium
- Corvus Energy AS (COR), Norway
- Elkon Elektrik Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (ELCON), Turkiye
- Power Electronics Espana SL (PE), Spain
- Lloyd's Register EMEA IPS (LR), United Kingdom
- Grimaldi Euromed Spa (GRI), Italy
- Inlecom Group (INLE), Belgium
- Foro Maritimo Vasco (FMV), Spain
- Lalemant (LAL), Belgium
