Many kinds of marine vessels sail the waters daily, and many dynamics are changing the direction of the marine market. Most recently, with the fuel cost increasing and ports shifting to decarbonization, it’s influencing the design direction for future marine vessels. Zero-emission technology is becoming a consideration whether it be a commercial container shipper, cargo hauler, commuter boat, or tug boat. Each vessel type has its own unique powertrain needs for hybrid, battery, and fuel cell propulsion systems, and experts in battery thermal management are tailoring thermal designs to meet the thermal needs of sustainable vessels. Beyond the vessel, thermal management solutions create a new dynamic compared to its Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterpart.

Sustainable vessels, whether battery, hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell, contain lithium-ion battery packs that must maintain a tight temperature range of 20° —45°C for optimal performance, range, and longevity. To maintain this range, various thermal management technologies are available, each with unique benefits. This adaptability ensures that the specific needs of sustainable vessels can be met, providing reassurance to designers and engineers.

Marine vessels must weather many different climates and environments. The ambient temperature significantly impacts the thermal technology needed.

Ambient Temperatures + 25° C—When the ambient temperature is above the batteries’ desired temperature, thermal technologies must be equipped to regulate that optimal temperature range quickly. Active cooling technology is the most appropriate thermal technology that can adequately support higher ambient temperatures. It utilizes a refrigeration circuit that conditions the battery coolant through a chiller. This is the most effective method of managing battery temperature in these high ambient temperature environments.

Ambient Temperatures 5° – 25° C – On days when the ambient temperature is below the batteries’ operating temperature, passive cooling technology is the most befitting method for maintaining the desired battery temperature. Passive cooling technologies typically cool the coolant through a heat exchanger, like a radiator, coupled with an array of smart electric fans to maximize the airflow and reject the maximum amount of heat from the radiator. This is an energy-efficient thermal management technology compared to an active cooling technology. Active cooling technologies, at times, can consume two times more power than passive cooling technologies.

Ambient temperature <5° C – On cold winter mornings, when the battery temperature is below its desired operating temperature, the battery must be warmed within the optimal temperature range. When a battery goes below that temperature overnight, it becomes cold-soaked. Before vessel operation, a cold-soaked battery must be pre-conditioned to the desired set point. Active heating technologies play a critical role in achieving this. Active heating technologies provide heating sources such as high-voltage electric heaters to warm the coolant to its desired set point. This warmed coolant is then routed back to the batteries.

Thermal technologies for sustainable vessels require careful consideration during the design process due to the various applications of these vessels. The task of finding the right partner to guide you through the thermal management integration process can seem daunting. At Modine, we understand this challenge and offer over 100 years of thermal management experience to support sustainable vessel designers with the technologies and guidance they need. If you would like to learn more about Modine’s thermal management technologies, contact us to speak to a member of our team.