30
Stena sails the
battery wave
Sweden’s Stena Recycling Group
is the driving force behind the
next step in shipping electrifica-
tion: the development of a new
type of energy storage in huge
power units to rapidly charge
electric ferries.
‘An incredible amount is happening in
the world of batteries,’ says Rasmus
Bergström, managing director of
Batteryloop, a subsidiary of Stena
Recycling. ‘New solutions are being
designed to meet the charging
requirements of the transport sector
of the future, especially for shipping
where vessels are starting to switch to
electric power.’
Rapidly charging a large ferry, for
example, requires a huge amount of
energy in a short time and it’s not cer-
tain that the electricity grid will be
able to deliver it. ‘Local energy stores
at ports could offer a great solution to
this problem,’ says Bergström.
VOLVO BUSES
Batteryloop has quickly made an
impact in electrification, not least in
the recycling of used batteries from
the automotive industry. A global col-
laboration agreement was recently
signed with Volvo Buses for the reuse
of batteries from its electric vehicles
(see Box). ‘One thing is sure, batteries
are here to stay,’ asserts Bergström.
‘In order to conserve natural resources
and make battery recycling sustain-
able, we need to do everything we
can to use batteries for as long as
a u t h o R Martijn Reintjes
Battery power unit installed at
the Stena Jutlandica ferry.
30-31_stena.indd 30 28-09-20 16:29
