Electrifying Yachting: Battery Recycling

The hope of electrifying yachting

If previously solar panels were installed for more practical reasons, for example, to provide the yacht with electricity during a long voyage, today many shipyards include solar panels, hydro and wind generators as standard equipment.

At the moment, the electrification of yachting is, if not in its infancy, then at the very initial stage. Despite the fact that shipyards complete their model ranges with hybrid and even fully electric versions, boats with internal combustion engines remain the most universal solution. In many ways, the situation is similar to the automotive industry, where electric cars have occupied their own rather large niche, but are still far from complete replacement.

Interestingly, the greening of the automotive industry is not going smoothly either. Automakers placed high hopes on flagship models with a futuristic design, but things have not yet moved beyond bench samples and working prototypes. Even the legendary Mercedes-Benz has temporarily postponed plans to completely convert its cars to electricity. We did the calculations, thought about it, came up with an estimate - it turned out not to be very profitable.

It is likely that the yachting industry will also change course. However, it is worth noting that, unlike a car, it is much easier for a yacht to obtain electricity from natural sources, and the boat can move solely with the help of wind power. That is, boats do not depend so much on the charge level, unless we are talking about motor yachts. However, there is no escape from the obsolescence and degradation of batteries.

The problem of battery obsolescence and recycling

Humanity has an old hobby - coming up with a temporary, as programmers say, “crutch” solution to a problem and waiting for the situation to improve. As practice shows, a “crutch” solution most often becomes permanent and, ultimately, the next generations are looking for a new temporary-permanent solution.

The same goes for electrification. Any modern method of “greening” and obtaining “clean” energy faces the problem of even greater pollution of the planet in the future. Judge for yourself:

• The blades of huge windmills cannot be recycled - they have to be buried in special burial grounds.
• Solar panels are currently also difficult to recycle.
• Modern lithium and lithium-derived batteries are largely unrecyclable—if they degrade naturally, they can potentially contaminate the soil with lithium breakdown products.

In the short term, we have indeed reduced emissions, but the feasibility in the long term is still in doubt. At the moment, there is no technology that would allow old batteries to be completely recycled. Their fate is clearly determined: slow decomposition with accompanying environmental pollution.

Is there a solution to the problem that would satisfy both man and nature? Scientists have several options.

Possible solutions to the problem of battery aging

For 2024, there are several potential solutions to the problem of aging batteries. For example, Toyota is exploring new methods to extend the life of lithium batteries by injecting a substance enriched with ions. According to their latest research, such injections help restore depleted batteries to 80%'s original capacity and maintain this efficiency for over 100 charge cycles. However, this technology requires more testing before it is ready for widespread adoption.

One of the promising areas is the development of solid-state batteries. These batteries use a solid rather than liquid electrolyte, which improves their safety and increases their energy density. Solid-state batteries can charge faster and have a lower risk of short-circuiting and self-ignition compared to traditional lithium batteries. However, here again the disposal problem remains open, since recycling these batteries is still a difficult task.

Structural difference between a lithium-ion battery (left) and a solid-state battery (right). Image courtesy of Samsung SDI.

Both options offer only an extension of the battery life, that is, delaying the moment of their disposal, but not a complete solution to the problem.

Lack of real alternatives

Fortunately or unfortunately, at the moment there is no 100% solution to both the problem of environmental pollution from internal combustion engine emissions and battery recycling. Like in the case of recycling yacht hulls, this problem requires an integrated approach and consolidation of the entire industry.

You should also take a conscious approach to electrification issues, not limiting yourself to simply following fashion trends. The implementation of new technologies must take into account all potential risks so as not to worsen the situation with the ecosystem. Applying technology without considering its impact on nature and long-term consequences can be a serious mistake.

New video on the Interparus channel🎥

High-quality music on high-quality equipment is not only a delight for the ears, but also a practical solution for a yacht of any size. In a new video on our channel we will talk about the features of choosing an audio system. Enjoy watching!

Don't forget to rate the material. You can find other interesting articles using the links below or in the “News” section.

20.06.2024