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The offshore charging proposed by Norwegian researchers uses a “plug and play” magnetic plug to transfer energy by induction, reduce corrosion, avoid unnecessary trips to port, and extend the autonomy of electric boats operating in offshore wind farms.
Norwegian researchers have developed a magnetic plug capable of enabling offshore charging of electric boats at sea, without physical contact between the connected parts. The system was designed to operate in adverse conditions, with wind, waves, and salt, and is expected to reach up to 5 MW of power on an industrial scale.
The solution primarily targets vessels working in offshore wind farms, where returning to port for recharging increases travel, additional consumption, and downtime. With offshore charging, these boats could use energy available in their operating environment, reducing unnecessary trips and increasing efficiency.
The Ocean Charger project brings together an industrial and scientific ecosystem interested in electrifying maritime operations. Companies like Vard and centers like SINTEF have identified physical connection as a bottleneck for this advancement, especially in offshore environments, where wear, corrosion, and constant maintenance increase costs and risks.
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System replaces metallic contacts with magnetic fields
The magnetic plug replaces exposed metallic connectors with energy transfer via magnetic fields. Instead of physically fitting two pieces vulnerable to the marine environment, the system uses coils encapsulated in materials resistant to saltwater, algae, and wear.
When the two coils approach each other, energy passes from one to the other without direct contact. This model reduces typical problems of traditional connections, such as corrosion, mechanical failures, and frequent maintenance, in addition to increasing safety by eliminating sparks, wear of the fitting, and critical operating errors.
The proposal also simplifies use in real sea conditions. The operator does not need to achieve a millimetric precision fit, as it is enough to bring the connector close, in an operation described as similar to placing a cup on a holder.
This “plug and play” format is a central part of offshore charging. The margin of movement allows operation even with swell, wind, and limited visibility, factors that make traditional physical connection more difficult and less reliable at sea.
Technical architecture aims for power up to 5 MW
Although the connection gesture seems simple, the structure behind the magnetic plug involves a complex technical chain. The electricity generated, for example, in a wind turbine, is converted, transported at high voltage by flexible cable, adapted to high frequency for inductive transfer, and again transformed onboard to power the boat’s battery.
The system relies on advanced power electronics, intelligent controls, and materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions. The electromagnetic design of the coils is a critical step, as the possibility of achieving high powers in relatively compact spaces depends on it.
The current prototype reaches 50 kW, but the industrial target is around 5 MW. This difference shows that the project is still seeking to scale its capacity, maintaining efficiency in a format compatible with the requirements of larger electric vessels.
The system’s efficiency is described as comparable to conventional charging, but without the inconveniences of physical connectors. Offshore charging also opens up space to directly use electricity generated in the offshore wind farm itself, consuming local energy without depending on transport to the coast.
Wind energy can supply vessels at sea
When wind power generation is available, energy can be sent directly to electric boats. When there is no wind, the system foresees the operation of the Offshore Substation Hub, known as OSS, a maritime substation that functions as an intermediate storage and energy node.
This model aims to reduce losses, optimize the use of renewables, and reinforce energy autonomy at sea. The logic is to keep vessels supplied within their own work environment, without turning each recharge into a trip to port.
The initial focus is on Service Operation Vessels, SOVs, vessels used in offshore wind farms. These boats play an essential role in the operation and maintenance of offshore structures, which makes energy autonomy an important factor for industrial routine.
Application can go beyond wind farms
The potential of the magnetic plug is not limited to wind farm maintenance vessels. Supply vessels, coastal vessels, and maritime logistics operations also appear among the possible beneficiaries if the infrastructure is implemented at scale.
The expansion could create a network of “maritime charging stations” along strategic routes. In this scenario, offshore charging would cease to be a specific solution for wind farms and would become part of a broader infrastructure for electric vessels.
Among the possibilities under analysis are integration with green hydrogen as a complementary system for long distances, electric maritime corridors in Europe, second-life batteries in OSS, and synchronization with smart grids. These fronts are linked to the objective of optimizing generation and consumption in maritime operations.
The Norwegian magnetic plug places offshore charging at the center of maritime electrification by combining induction, contactless operation, and an anticipated power of up to 5 MW. The technology aims to reduce corrosion, maintenance, and trips to port, keeping electric boats in operation longer at sea.
With information from EcoInventos
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