Aqua superPower announced as electric boat charging partner to SailGP
by SailGP 30 Jul 2022 16:36 NZST
Aqua superPower announced as electric boat charging partner to SailGP © SailGP
SailGP (www.sailgp.com), the world's most exciting race on water, has partnered with Aqua superPower (www.aqua-superpower.com) as marine fast charging provider for the purpose-led global championship. Aqua superPower will supply charging to SailGP's fleet of electric support boats, commencing with the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Britain's Ocean City Plymouth on 30 to 31 July 2022. The partnership supports SailGP's ambition to be the world's most sustainable, purpose-driven global sports and entertainment platform and to power its entire on-water fleet by clean energy by 2025.
Aqua superPower's global marine fast charging network is well developed already, but this crucial partnership will further expand DC charging infrastructure to all SailGP's global event locations, accelerating the transition to zero emissions boating. Plymouth switched on a series of Aqua superPower's high power DC electric charging stations this year, creating the UK's first e-marine hub of shore-side charging facilities for electric boats. SailGP recently announced it is chartering a fleet of electric boats for Season 3 as part of its commitment to accelerate the transition to a zero-emission support fleet.
SailGP's partnership with Aqua superPower aims to encourage the uptake of electric propulsion across the sailing community and marine sector by demonstrating that the necessary technologies and fast charging infrastructure already exist and are fully operable. SailGP is taking four RS Pulse 63 electric boats on the European leg of its championship, together with the fully electric SEAL from Vita Yachts. Both the RS Pulse and the Vita SEAL have passed Aqua superPower's DC charging compatibility tests. In Plymouth, these electric support boats will be supplied with free charging by the Aqua 75 installed at MDL Marina's Queen Anne's Battery, the Aqua 25 at Barbican Landing Stage, the Aqua 150 HPC at Mount Batten ferry terminal, and an AquaGo mobile marine fast charging unit.
SailGP on-water transition manager Tom Verity said: - "It's brilliant to be collaborating with a wide range of key partners and suppliers in Plymouth to find innovative ways to minimize our impact, focusing on the transition to clean energy for the marine sector. By partnering with Aqua superPower, SailGP can connect with a wide global audience to showcase electric technologies that are helping decrease carbon emissions."
Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower said: - "It is an absolute privilege and positive endorsement for Aqua superPower to be SailGP's official electric boat charging partner and to have the opportunity of working with such a prestigious and environmentally conscious global brand. Aqua's mission is to reduce the impact of boating on the marine environment - an aim that closely complements SailGP's sustainability, impact, and clean energy goals. We are proud to supply Aqua's marine fast charging solutions to SailGP's fleet of electric boats during each of their events with guaranteed charging access to our permanent installations and mobile charging units. This partnership will create a legacy network of Aqua superPower charge points at the various SailGP event sites."
The fully sealed design of Aqua superPower's IP-65 rated DC rapid chargers inherently provide the robustness and ease of use needed in the marine environment. It is vital from a safety point of view that the latest connected technology is used, and electricity cannot be drawn until the electronic handshake with the boat has been completed satisfactorily. With a focus on interoperability, safety, and accessibility, Aqua superPower adopted the universal electric vehicle Combined Charging System (CCS), which uses connectors to provide power up to 350 kilowatts. Aqua is the first company to develop and install a global marine fast charging network to support marinas, boat builders and boat owners in the sustainable shift to decarbonisation and marine conservation.
Aqua superPower and SailGP will be collaborating to create the ecosystem and infrastructure required to support the unstoppable transition to clean marine e-mobility.