AKA Energy Systems

NEW FRONTIERS BECKON FOR ENERGY

AKA Energy Systems is an energy integrator and engineering company whose power and propulsion solutions are blazing a trail in the marine industry’s sustainable transition journey. CEO Jason Aspin discussed the company with Andy Probert.

For Jason Aspin, being in the right place at the right time in the right industry is a pinch-yourself-moment. As CEO of AKA Energy Systems, an energy integrator for power and propulsion systems for vessels, he has neatly positioned the company in the vanguard of innovators honing tomorrow’s green technologies.

With every IMO and government pronouncement that nails carbon emissions for vessels in law, AKA is there, if not light years ahead of regulation. As an energy systems designer and manufacturer, it has already shifted the paradigm for fuel efficiency and reliability in marine and offshore drilling with proven fuel savings of over 50%.

Best energy technologies

AKA offers a full spectrum of integrated products and services, including systems integration, new product development, engineering, manufacturing, testing, installation, commissioning, life cycle support and field services.

Renewable energy, clean or ‘green’ energy, sustainability and corporate responsibility have always been its primary concerns. It uses a businessfriendly approach to renewable power, bringing real, sustained economic benefit while ensuring environmentally friendly energy infrastructures.

From the renewable fuels generated from water and biomass to wind and

solar power, it provides renewable energy solutions that allow organisations to capitalise on the best energy technologies available. AKA‘s suite of marine power systems are designed to lower fuel consumption, reduce airborne pollution and increase energy efficiency and reliability aboard marine vessels.

AKA’s systems are engineered-to-order to achieve the optimal cost-benefit ratio It has a strategic partnership with MAN Energy Solutions, offering turnkey integrated power, propulsion and land-based micro-grid solutions. AKA’s clients and partners include Transocean, Shell, GE Energy, Siemens, Eaton and Schneider Electric.

Company evolution

AKA Energy Systems was established in 1995 as a training and documentation company for in-house electrical and automation systems within the marine

sector. “Electrical systems went from being transparent to being hidden in black box solutions,” Mr Aspin said. “We set out to keep that transparency in the descriptions of the automation and empower maintenance teams to troubleshoot and understand what was happening in those systems.”

As part of that process, AKA identified ‘gaps’ in systems’ designs and created solutions to close them. These solutions resulted in unique, patentable technology and transitioned AKA to become a recognised technology company.

In 2007, the company became a manufacturer of power solutions, a complete systems integrator and technology specialist. “We have been delivering bespoke p ower and propulsion systems up to 50megawatt power plants down to fishing boat-sized propulsion systems ever since,” explained Mr Aspin.

AKA has completed many world firsts: developing hybrid propulsion for a tugboat in 2007; a hybrid system for a semi-submersible, and the first hybrid drilling dive support system to operate in a gas cloud.

It now employs 150 people, with manufacturing, engineering and support-based facilities on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The 100,000sqft base includes a state-of-the-art mechanical fabrication area, a heavy electrical equipment assembly area and a large test bay with MW, LV and MV capacity. AKA also has offices in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Singapore and China.

“AKA is well positioned to offer a role in the transition to net-zero operations in the marine field,” Mr Aspin said. “We are exploring leading technologies, such as alternative or low-emission fuels, hydrogen and hydrogen-enabled synthetic fuels, such as ammonia and gas. As we transition to zero-emission fuels, hybrid systems will become more critical.

“While AKA has grown rapidly on a global scale and has great partnerships, being based in a province with a leading edge on green technology and energy-saving profiles is a good fit for our company. ”

Reliable partner

AKA’s projects have a long cycle – typically three to five years - to completion. “It has been a commercial and physical challenge to execute business over the pandemic,” he continued. “However, we have got through it and coming out the other end we see the market picking up and our position in the clean-tech niche is well poised.”

Export has represented 90-95% of business volume in the past, but AKA is seeing a shift to a 70-30 position as more domestic projects come to the fore. AKA is currently collaborating with the Canadian government in developing the first hybrid electric vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard, with AKA supplying the propulsion and battery systems.

Jason Aspin, CEO

“In the past, our niche has been with companies that place a high value on reliability and predictability,” said Mr Aspin. “That has pushed us into higherrisk environments, such as the oil and gas fields. When we look at a solution, we focus on reducing the risk associated with operations and increasing reliability, reducing operation cost and minimising environmental impact.”

Its more recent projects have included onboarding AKA’s closed bus propulsion solutions on drill ships worldwide; new builds featuring high-end electrical power propulsion; retrofits on ships that have incorporated AKA’s advanced generator propulsion, and several jobs in the RoRo market with electric hybrid and LNG systems.

“We are also taking the hybrid technology we have developed and shrinking those systems for smaller vessels with lower fuel consumption,” Mr Aspin explained. “We actively work with clients across Asia, North and South America, and Europe.

“We’re in China with propulsion systems fitted to new builds, including a chemical tanker, asphalt carrier and a small supply vessel. We also have projects around potential upgrades in South America and Europe.”

AKA recently announced a new partnership with e-Link Commuting Co, a company transforming human and package mobility on the water. The collaboration will seek to develop a new class of waterway vessels powered entirely by sustainable energy.

AKA will focus on designing the vessel’s power system and drivetrain propulsion and the addition of hydrogen fuel-cell innovation to help extend the battery life of the e-Link shuttle platform.

Exciting potential AKA’s marine hybrid propulsion system has captured the attention of the marine industry with significant economic and environmental savings. It comprises a diesel engine and an electric motor that independently or simultaneously drives a propulsion shaft.

The system configures the most effec tive power and propulsion options to meet the needs of the vessel’s operation. The multiple system configurations provide redundancy by offering alternate sources of power to the vessel, while its energy management solution strives to eliminate the unnecessary idling of diesel engines by determining the most efficient configura tion of the electrical and mechan ical devices onboard.

“We are working with partners on systems transitioning to low or zero-emission operations,” Mr Aspin said. “These comprise hydrogen and hydrogen-derivative clean- fuel propulsion systems.”

AKA is also creating data analytics to prove vessels have reduced emissions, he concluded: “I also expect a focus on the energy a vessel doesn’t consume. Propulsion is a significant part of the energy cost on most vessels, but it is not everything. Energy storage will cer tainly be a big component of future design for AKA.

“Many opportunities await in the marine sector’s transition journey. I am excited at the potential AKA can offer, and in uncovering the new technologies of tomorrow.”