Installation and Demonstration of a Multi-Megawatt Charging System at the Port of Norddeich

The Port of Norddeich is currently a hub of activity: After more than three years of intensive project work, the European research and innovation project HYPOBATT has entered its final phase. At present, the core system components of the newly developed multi-megawatt charging system are being installed on site and gradually assembled into a complete system for the first time. This marks the first opportunity to observe the results of the joint development efforts under real operating conditions.

The project brings together 18 partners from industry, academia, and research institutions across ten European countries. Their shared objective is to develop a future-proof, high-power charging infrastructure for maritime electric mobility.

The focus of the final project phase is the demonstration of a modular multi-megawatt charging system for fully electric vessels. The system is designed in compliance with the relevant and governing international standards for maritime utility connections in ports (IEC 80005) as well as automotive megawatt charging (MCS, IEC 61851-23-3), ensuring interoperability, safety, and scalability across application domains.

The mechanical and electrical installation of the power conversion and automatic connection device infrastructure, along with comprehensive system testing, will be finalized in January. The public full-scale demonstration of the HYPOBATT system is scheduled for the end of February.

“The final demonstration represents a key milestone for the HYPOBATT project and the entire consortium. It proves that the concepts and technologies developed within the project are not only viable in theory, but can also be successfully implemented in a real maritime environment. Norddeich is the ideal location to take this important step,”says Dr. Endika Bilbao Muruaga, HYPOBATT Project Coordinator.

This upcoming demonstration marks the conclusion of the project and will provide valuable insights for future applications of megawatt-scale charging systems in ports and shipping operations. At the same time, it highlights the strength of European collaborative research in translating technological innovation into practical solutions.