Battery-Backed DC Charger for Electric Boats at Fowey Harbour

Aqua superPower has unveiled the first battery-backed DC charger for electric boats at Fowey Harbour, Cornwall, as part of The Electric Seaway project. This innovation enables fast charging in areas with limited grid connections.

The installation at Fowey Harbour fulfills the TES project's commitment to establish a flagship innovation site. Aqua superPower's 60kW battery system, connected to a single-phase power supply, efficiently trickle-charges from the local grid. This stored energy powers an Aqua PKM150 charger, delivering up to 50kVA of DC charge directly to vessels, allowing electric boats to recharge in under an hour.

According to Karen Gill, COO of Aqua superPower, this development is significant for marine electrification, overcoming infrastructure barriers and providing fast charging where needed. Paul Thomas, CEO & Harbourmaster of Fowey Harbour, emphasized the importance of this innovation for Cornwall's waterways, enabling rapid electric boat charging despite limited grid capacity.

The battery-backed DC charging system debuts in a real-world marine setting, demonstrating scalability for off-grid harbours worldwide. The TES project, delivered on schedule, advances Cornwall's leadership in the national The Electric Seaway initiative.

Technical specifications include a 60kW battery with single-phase trickle charging and up to 50kVA DC output via the Aqua superPower PKM150 charger. The system is compatible with electric leisure boats, work vessels, and ferries.

The environmental impact of this technology is significant, enabling zero-emission boating and reducing fossil fuel dependency, thus protecting biodiversity in sensitive coastal waters.

The TES project is funded through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3, a program by the Department for Transport, and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. The Electric Seaway aims to build a nationwide network of electric charging points for UK waterways. Fowey Harbour's deployment provides a replicable blueprint for remote sites, accelerating decarbonisation across maritime operations.

Operators, boat owners, and visitors can now experience the charger at Fowey Harbour, marking a step forward in sustainable maritime transport.

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