The high-power energy storage platform AQUBE has been selected by shipbuilder Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven to power a landmark research vessel built for the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany’s national research center for aeronautics, space, energy, and transport.

Set for delivery in 2027, a new 48-meter-long, 11.5-meter-wide DLR seagoing technology platform will serve as an ocean-going, floating platform to validate next-generation climate-neutral propulsion systems, including hydrogen, hybrid, and fully electric setups, under real-world maritime conditions. Carrying up to 20 researchers and industry partners, the vessel will conduct multi-day test voyages in the harsh environments of the North and Baltic Seas. With global shipping moving to eliminate carbon emissions across a sector that carries over 80% of world trade, this unique vessel bridges the gap between land-based laboratory testing and real-world sea trials.

The Engine Behind the Innovation: How AQUBE Works

To power a vessel designed to test the future of propulsion, DLR and Lloyd Werft needed a battery system that balances maximum power output with uncompromising safety and longevity. Our AQUBE delivers this through three key innovations made accessible for both technical and non-technical observers:

1. High-power 2C performance: In battery engineering, a 2C rating means the battery can discharge its full capacity in just 30 minutes. AQUBE delivers up to 2C peak and 1.5C continuous power, providing the instant, heavy surges of energy required to manoeuvre a 48m ship through rough North Sea waters or support power-hungry experimental setups onboard.

2. Liquid-cooling architecture: While standard battery systems rely on air cooling, AQUBE circulates fluid directly around the modules. Similar to thermal management in high-performance electric vehicles, this keeps battery cells at optimal operating temperatures, preventing degradation and dramatically extending service life under continuous high-power demands.

3. Ultra-safe LFP chemistry: AQUBE uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry rather than traditional cobalt-based formulations. LFP is inherently fire-resistant, non-toxic, and cobalt-free, offering superior thermal stability at sea while aligning with green sustainability goals.

Industrial Scale and Supply Chain Security

The contract marks a vital milestone in the market launch of AQUBE, demonstrating how our company has evolved since becoming part of Sunlight Group. By pairing our specialised German marine engineering with Sunlightís massive manufacturing and R&D hub in Xanthi, Greece, the company offers European shipbuilders a resilient, localised supply chain – a critical advantage in today´s volatile global market.

"Building on the success of our air-cooled CUBE platform and the proven liquid-cooling heritage of COBRA, AQUBE takes our technology to the next level for demanding marine applications," said Matthias Schubert, our Head of Sales and Marketing. "Securing our first AQUBE contract for a national floating lab of this calibre is a major validation. It proves that our battery architecture is ready to power not just research vessels, but the broader commercial fleet – from ferries and offshore vessels to cargo ships and tankers."