HARPOONERS: Innovative high-voltage battery systems for the next generation of shipping
The decarbonization of shipping is one of the key challenges for sustainable mobility in Europe. The electrification of ships in particular requires innovative solutions to make emission-free propulsion systems economical, safe and efficient. This is precisely where the European research project HARPOONERS (High voltAge, modulaR and low weight electric POwertrains fOr NExt generation waterborne tRanSport) comes in, developing a new generation of high-voltage battery electric storage systems for maritime and inland waterway vessels.
Project objectives and innovations
HARPOONERS aims to develop a modular and flexible alternating current battery system that integrates battery units directly with the power electronics and the on-board networks (high and medium voltage). This architecture eliminates the need for a transformer and enables the battery modules and power electronics to be cooled together. This makes the overall system lighter and more compact, increasing the energy density.
Another key feature is flexibility in battery cell selection: The system can operate with both existing and newly developed cell technologies, regardless of their chemical composition. HARPOONERS focuses on practical applications with storage capacities between 5 and 10 MWh in fully electric or hybrid propulsion systems. These are extensively simulated and optimized to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.
In addition, the project integrates real-time monitoring using a distributed battery management system (BMS) at the battery level and an energy management system (EMS) at the system level. A digital twin links these control systems to edge cloud interfaces for predictive analysis. Novel cybersecurity algorithms are also being developed to ensure secure operation. The system architecture is to be demonstrated up to TRL 5 in the course of the project.
AIT contribution to HARPOONERS
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is a central partner in the HARPOONERS consortium, which includes 13 partners from four EU countries (Spain, Belgium, Austria, Italy) and three associated countries (Norway, Great Britain, Turkey). Within the project, AIT is responsible for the following tasks:
- Leading the selection of suitable cell chemistries and the development of optimized cell combinations for the configurations of the battery electric storage systems.
- Development of a multiphysics simulation framework for the electrochemical and thermal analysis of batteries, including safety-critical aspects.
- Contribution to digital twin technology by implementing the developed models in optimization tools and defining new algorithms for battery management.
- Support for the safety lifecycle, including contributions to certification, lifecycle assessment and TRL validation testing.
Dragan Simic, HARPOONERS project manager at AIT, emphasizes the importance of the project:
Decarbonization of the European maritime transport sector requires innovations that balance cost-effectiveness, regulatory requirements, the interface with growing shore-side power grids and economies of scale of electrification.
“The main challenge lies in the compactness of the battery systems while ensuring reliability and safety, especially for retrofits.”
Thanks to AIT’s extensive expertise in multiphysics system modeling and advanced battery systems, HARPOONERS is ideally positioned to meet these challenges.
Simic continues:
This market is promising, but still underdeveloped – research projects like HARPOONERS can provide significant long-term impetus here.
HARPOONERS: Innovative high-voltage battery systems for the next generation of shipping, source
