Williams Advanced Engineering and Oxis Energy collaborates to battery system for a luxury electric boat

Williams Advanced Engineering e Oxis Energy barca elettrica

Combining their industrial expertise, Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) and Oxis Energy collaborates to advance cleaner transport in the marine sector.

WAE will design and build a state-of-the-art 400kWh battery system using lithium-sulfur cell technology from Oxis Energy – a world first for luxury boats.

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) is working with fellow Oxfordshire-based firm, Oxis Energy Ltd, on the production of a world-first battery system, designed for an all-new 40ft electric luxury boat.

The craft, from Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore and designed by the renowned boat designer, Jean Jacques Coste, will be the world’s first ever luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology. The objective is to achieve a range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed – setting new standards for range in electric boats.

WAE will be responsible for the state-of-the-art 400 kWh battery system, which comprises ultra-light, high-power/high energy density Li-S cells – provided by Oxis Energy Ltd, – and the battery management system (BMS). The design and manufacture of the cell modules, the BMS and its installation will be carried out by WAE at its dedicated battery facility in Grove.

High performance batteries and BMS are core to WAE’s business. The company was the original supplier of batteries to the entire grid of FIA Formula E World Championship cars in 2014, a relationship that has been revived for 2022-23 season with WAE being awarded the exclusive contract to supply the Gen3 battery system. WAE also supplies battery systems to ETCR and Extreme-E.

As well as having high gravimetric energy density and low predicted costs, the Li-S cells are a safer option for electric marine applications. Furthermore, Oxis’ Li-S technology contains no toxic or rare earth materials in the make-up of its cell technology, making it a safe option for open water transportation. At the end of life, the materials used in the Li-S cells can be disposed of without damaging the environment.

The modular, high-energy density system has potential for all sizes of zero emission marine craft and is applicable to a number of other sectors including aerospace, aviation, urban air mobility, transportation, marine and defence.

The latest programme celebrates a history of collaborations between Williams Advanced Engineering and Oxis designed to revolutionise the rechargeable battery market including a UK funded, Lithium Sulfur Future Automotive Battery (LiS:FAB) project and the ALISE programme; a pan European collaboration focused on the development and commercial scale-up of new materials and understanding electrochemical processes involved in Lithium Sulfur technology.

The first public viewing of the boat is planned at the Monaco Boat show in 2021.

Source: Williams Advanced Engineering

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