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Marine Energies

PALM Charger

Apollo’s PALM Charger is set to transform offshore charging for electrically powered marine vessels.

By providing offshore recharging points that can be readily mounted onto offshore structures, the PALM Charger will overcome the range limitations in marine electrical vehicles, allowing extended offshore operations and longer transits.

Marine Energies
Nigel Robinson
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Unique features

Unique features of the PALM Charger include its reliance only on mechanical actuation from the boat, with a rugged and marinized design. Vessel outfitting requirements are kept to a minimum. Supported by nearly £800,000 in funding from the Department of Transport through Innovate UK, the system was trialled in an offshore environment in October 2024, paving the way to a commercial pilot project in 2025.

Streamlined operation

Vessels need only a winch and cable reel outfitted with a standardised ‘plug’. Boats approach the charging point to grapple a work wire that is used to hook up the plug and winch. Propelled by the winch, the plug seamlessly progresses into the receptacle, establishing both electrical and mooring connections. During this time the vessel is tethered to the system. Once charging is complete a pull and release operation brings the connections back to the boat, ready for tying off the work wire and resuming operations.

Successful trials

In October 2024, Apollo successfully completed trials of the PALM Charger in Orkney, in partnership with local collaborators Leask Marine and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

The trials focused on proving the technology in real offshore conditions, examining the electrical aspects of power transfer, and refining the marine design. The PALM Charger performed exceptionally, achieving multiple successful connect, power, and disconnect operations under varied sea conditions, with 100% reliability in both mechanical and electrical connections. These results provided valuable insights into marine handling operations, which will inform further development and support final design enhancements.

Watch a video of the trials in action

What's next?

A commercial prototype will be designed in readiness for a pilot deployment. Offshore Wind will be the first use case, with INTOG, ScotWind and Celtic Sea developments in sight. More generally the system is applicable to any fleet of marine electric vehicles, including those in the fisheries, aquaculture, ferries and leisure sectors.

Interested? For more information on PALM Charger please get in touch

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