The University of Plymouth has strengthened its position at the forefront of clean maritime innovation thanks to a new initiative that will deploy the world's largest network of electric workboats.
The Zero Emission Network of Workboats (ZENOW) project has received £4.1 million in grant funding from the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) and Innovate UK as part of its Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure competition (ZEVI).
It brings the total funding secured by the project to £5.4 million and marks a step change in zero emission workboat operations, delivering commercial clean maritime technology.
ZENOW is a partnership of 15 UK marine businesses and organisations, that will ultimately deploy 20 electric workboats, powered by five new chargers.
The project will also code the boats ready for service and then, during and after a three-year period, analyse the data to provide evidence, advice and support for any of the circa 10,000 small harbours and marinas across the world getting ready to switch to electric.
Led by RS Electric Boats Ltd, the projects also brings together the University of Plymouth, Lloyd's Register EMEA, Aqua superPower Ltd, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Yarmouth (IOW) Harbour Commissioners, Zero Marine Services Ltd, Cheetah Marine International Ltd, Urban Truant Power Ltd, Environment Agency, RAD Propulsion Ltd, Royal Yachting Association, WPNSA Ltd, Fowey Harbour Commissioners, and Salcombe Harbour Authority.
As part of the consortium, researchers from the University of Plymouth will be carrying out data analysis, building on their extensive work across the clean maritime sector.
This has previously included enabling the launching of the UK's first electric passenger ferries, and then leading a project to develop the first UK charging network for electric maritime vessels.
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