PortLiner had the honor of hosting an inspiring presentation in collaboration with André Kuipers, the renowned Dutch astronaut. The event, organized by Confirm Accountants, showcased a dual focus: PortLiner’s groundbreaking initiatives and an awe-inspiring exploration of space by Andre Kuiper, paired with a sobering discussion on the threats posed by climate change.

André Kuipers captivated the audience with his unique perspective on our planet’s fragility and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, drawing from his experiences aboard the International Space Station. In parallel, PortLiner presented its innovative vision, emphasizing the role of sustainable transportation in combating climate challenges.

The event sparked engaging discussions and garnered enthusiastic feedback from attendees. It was an afternoon filled with inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and a collective commitment to building a more sustainable future.

Stay tuned as PortLiner continues to make strides towards a greener tomorrow!

PortLiner has been present at the World Port Days festival in Rotterdam, on 1, 2 and 3 September 2023. This annual maritime event  has attractedmore about 400,000 visitors. PortLiner had joined the "Kansen voor West" stand, the agency that manages EU programmes like ERDF and Just Transition Fund (JTF). It has been a good occasion for many visitors to know more about our maritime flow batteries!

On 10 August 2023, the regional newspaper De Gelderlander has published an article on PortLiner's next step, the building of a recharging and storage pontoon, equipped with flow battery technology for the maritime market. PortLiner has finally, after a lengthy procedure, obtained formal permission to moor its pontoon at the Hartel Channel , at the heart of the Rotterdam port area. PortLiner can now start the building process, for the pontoon and the first ships that will "tank" the pontoon's elektricity.

In the article, Dr. Ir. David Vermaas, associate professor at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), is quoted as saying "flow batteries are the logical choice for inland shipping".

On 28 March 2022, the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) has published its roadmap aiming “at largely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants of the inland navigation sector by 2050”.

Battery electric propulsion systems, with fixed or exchangeable battery systems, feature prominently in the CCNR roadmap, which is shared with the European Commission.

For more info

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change.  The IPPC provides political leaders with periodic scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies.  On 28 February 2022 a new IPCC climate report was published, describing the worsening of climate conditions: “The world faces unavoidable multiple climate hazards over the next two decades with global warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F). Even temporarily exceeding this warming level will result in additional severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible. Risks for society will increase, including to infrastructure and low-lying coastal settlements.” 

For more details, please find the IPCC announcement.  

In accordance with the mandate given by the Ministerial Declaration of 17 October 2018 in Mannheim, the CCNR developed a roadmap aiming at largely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants attributable to the inland navigation sector by 2050.   

 During its autumn plenary session, the CCNR adopted this roadmap for reducing inland navigation emissions.  

Despite current uncertainties concerning especially the development, cost, level of maturity and availability of the technologies contributing to the transition towards a zero-emission inland navigation sector, it is necessary to make an immediate start on designing an approach towards this ambitious objective that can be sustained in the medium and long-term.  

The CCNR roadmap will be published in January 2022 on the CCNR website. 

For more details, please find the CCNR website 

CellCube and Portliner have signed a strategic agreement to build a sustainable zero emission solution for the maritime market for electrified vessels and the related bunker and recharging infrastructure. 

CellCube, the global tech leader for vanadium redox flow batteries and PortLiner, waterborne transport innovator, have kicked off a breakthrough project for decarbonizing the inland shipping sector. 

For more details, please find CellCube's announcement.  

Today, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. With today's proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform our economy and society for a fair, green and prosperous future. 

For more details see the Commission's announcement 

Greenchoice, Vattenfall and PortLiner have signed a letter of intent to jointly develop a  waterborne recharging station with flow battery technology in the port area of Rotterdam to support the introduction of zero emission vessels. The ambition is to realize the project in the period 2021/2022.  

For more details, please find Greenchoice's announcement (in Dutch) or the article as published on the www.windpowernl.com (in English). 

In a joint study, the European Patent Agency and the International Energy Agency report an increase in battery research, in particular regarding flow batteries. The report, Innovation in batteries and electricity storage – a global analysis based on patent data, shows that batteries account for nearly 90% of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage. (…)

"In addition, other storage technologies, such as (…) redox flow batteries, are also rapidly emerging with the potential to address some of the weaknesses of Li-ion batteries."

As Mr. Yann Ménère, EPO Chief Economist,  expressed to TW.nl : "(Flow batteries) are more stable than Li-on batteries and non-flammable, because the materials are stored in separate tanks. In addition, they are much easier to scale up: unlike Li-on batteries. they do not need scarce and polluting materials such as cobalt. They will not replace Li-on batteries, but offer an important alternative".

More details in EPO's press annoucement

The European Commission presented today its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. 

Buildings and transport are, alongside industry, the main energy users and source of emissions. Decarbonising both energy supply and demand is key to achieving climate neutrality.

To reach the new goal of 55%, the EU will have to further increase energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy. This will now be subject to further consultation and analysis before legislative proposals are presented by the Commission in June 2021.

For more detail:  <https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1599>