Austin-based energy storage company Valence Technology Inc. has signed a $45 million multi-year rechargeable battery supply agreement with France’s BJ Technologie, a subsidiary of the world’s largest sailing yacht builder, Bénéteau Group.
Valence Technology will be the only battery supplier for all new Bénéteau Group hybrid-electric vessels using a new ZF Marine hybrid drive system. The battery storage systems will be installed in new hybrid-electric yachts, sailboats, and motorboats for Bénéteau Group partners.
The battery shipments are scheduled to begin at the end of 2010 and will generate an estimated $9 million in revenue to Valence Technology over the following year.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Hybrid-electric Vessels
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced battery technologies to improve the efficiency and range of hybrid-electric boats.
- Battery Storage Systems
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative battery storage solutions for sailboats, yachts, and motorboats to enhance their energy efficiency.
- Rechargeable Batteries
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design and manufacture high-performance rechargeable batteries that can meet the demanding power requirements of luxury sailing yachts.
Where This Applies
- Energy Storage
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cutting-edge energy storage technologies to support the growing demand for hybrid-electric boats.
- Marine Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate advanced battery systems into sailboats, yachts, and motorboats to drive the adoption of hybrid-electric propulsion in the marine industry.
- Battery Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development of new battery technologies to meet the specific needs of luxury sailing yacht builders and their customers.
