---

Eco Marine Power (EMP) has announced that, in cooperation with The Furukawa Battery Company of Japan, it is now able to offer a range of marine battery solutions for use on board ships or for marine related applications such as offshore platforms & renewable energy projects.

This range of long-life batteries from Furukawa Battery has also been accepted for use on classed vessels by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) in addition to having been evaluated by EMP.

Three main battery types from Furukawa Battery will now be used by EMP as part of its Aquarius Marine Solar Power and Aquarius MAS + Solar solution packages. Details of these battery technologies are as follows:

FC38-12: FC38-12 VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries are designed for small marine solar power applications (i.e. up to around 5kWp) and can be supplied either as a battery pack set or as individual 12V units. A key advantage of the FC38-12 is that it's relatively small size and light weight makes it ideal for installation into small (but ventilated) spaces on-board ships and other vessels, EMP says.

FCP Series: Furukawa Cycle Power (FCP) series battery units are available in various configurations and are supplied complete with a modular design mounting rack for superior vibration resistance. The space-saving design of the unit also reduces installation and maintenance time. According to EMP, the FCP series batteries are ideally suited for renewable energy applications, and their long life (approximately 15 years) and low maintenance requirements make them ideal for use on ships.

UB Series: The Ultra Battery (UB) series are designed for smart grid, wind power and solar power applications both on land and on ships. UB-50-12 batteries can be supplied as individual units or as a pack for use with an EMP marine solar power solution. Some key features of the UB Series are their long cycle life (approximately 4500 cycles for the UB-1000) and suppression of cathode sulfation. EMP says the UB series batteries are ideal for retrofit projects in addition to being suitable for new shipbuilding projects.

After exhibiting a range of battery technologies along with EMP at the Electric and Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam recently, Mr. Kodaka, General Manager, International Business Department at Furukawa Battery, commented: "There is now a range of batteries from Furukawa Battery that have received acceptance from ClassNK and these products are ideally suited for renewable energy applications on ships and for offshore platforms. We look forward to working with Eco Marine Power to promote our battery technologies and expand our market share for energy storage in the shipping and maritime sectors."

In addition to supplying batteries and marine solar power solutions, EMP is also able to provide a range of services including marine renewable energy audits, system design and consulting services.