OXFORD: Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) is working with fellow Oxfordshire-based firm, OXIS Energy Ltd, on the production of a world-first battery system, designed for an all-new 40ft electric luxury boat.
Williams Advanced Engineering is part of the Williams Group, a distributor of premium marques such as Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW and MINI.
The craft, from Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore and designed by the renowned boat designer, Jean Jacques Coste, will be the world’s first ever luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology.
The objective is to achieve a range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed – setting new standards for range in electric boats.
WAE will be responsible for the state-of-the-art 400 kWh battery system, which comprises ultra-light, high-power/high energy density Li-S cells – provided by OXIS Energy Ltd, – and the battery management system (BMS).
The design and manufacture of the cell modules, the BMS and its installation will be carried out by WAE at its dedicated battery facility in Grove.
The latest programme celebrates a history of collaborations between Williams Advanced Engineering and OXIS designed to revolutionise the rechargeable battery market including a UK funded, Lithium Sulfur Future Automotive Battery (LiS:FAB) projectand the ALISE programme; a pan European collaboration focused on the development and commercial scale-up of new materials and understanding electrochemical processes involved in Lithium Sulfur technology.
“We’re extremely proud to be involved in this exciting initiative which we believe showcases the way in which the UK is positioning itself to be at the forefront of this emerging market. In addition, the application has relevance for a number of additional sectors including aerospace, aviation, urban air mobility, transportation and defence” said Craig Wilson, Managing Director, WAE.
Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO, OXIS Energy, added, "“Williams has a significant level of battery technology expertise and skills across the range of vehicle applications. This expertise, combined with OXIS’s world leading Centre of Expertise in Lithium Sulfur, gives vehicle manufacturers, on land, sea and in the air the confidence to engage with our next generation of rechargeable battery technology, with the necessary assurance to achieve their desired mission profile, at a high level of performance and safety - far in excess than what current technology offers.”
