Pioneering sustainable luxury with Phoenix One
The 30.2m/99’1″ sailing yacht ‘Acaia’, crafted by the esteemed shipyard Southern Wind, stands as a premier charter yacht offering accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 cabins. Connecting with Phoenix One, the captain of S/Y Acaia expressed a clear vision: the desire to achieve a seamless transition to silent operation lasting 8 to 10 hours. This entailed the strategic utilisation of batteries as the sole power source aboard, effectively eliminating the reliance on generators. As a bustling charter boat, the ability to seamlessly switch to battery power significantly enhances the guest experience by minimising the need for ongoing power management. Through the implementation of cutting-edge maritime technology, advanced battery systems and bespoke energy solutions, Phoenix One has not only optimised S/Y Acaia’s performance but has also established a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient sailing.
Phoenix One’s silent power system
Phoenix One’s Silent Power battery systems revolutionise S/Y Acaia’s voyage, replacing generator noise and vibration with the tranquil hum of the ocean. This innovation not only fosters relaxation on the water but also reflects Phoenix One’s dedication to sustainability. By reducing emissions and fuel usage, Silent Power paves the way for guilt-free luxury yachting without compromising comfort or performance.
Empowering continuous operations
Phoenix One’s bold move aboard S/Y Acaia transforms the landscape of energy storage. The replacement of the hefty 1500kg battery pack with a sleek 560kg Lithium Energy Storage unit (LES) heralds a new era. This tailored energy solution boosts capacity from 20kWh to an impressive 80kWh while slashing weight by nearly threefold. Comprising 14x LiFePO4 batteries, the LES was meticulously tailored to dovetail S/Y Acaia’s physical space. The LES, powered by LFP Lithium iron phosphate batteries renowned for their safety and reliability within the maritime sector, now becomes the heartbeat of S/Y Acaia, powering over 75% of its operational hours post-refit. With 12kW chargers and 24kW inverters, the vessel swiftly recharges using onboard generators and shoreline power, ensuring uninterrupted voyages across the seas.
Seamless integration and monitoring
Beyond energy storage, Phoenix One’s LES integration enables real-time monitoring and control, both onboard and via cloud portals. From galley to air-conditioning, the entire vessel draws power from LES, facilitating comprehensive energy management and optimising operational efficiency. A custom-designed monitoring and control system offers the captain full oversight of the vessel. Gathering data from various onboard systems, including tank levels and generators, empowers the captain with clear insights, allowing prompt responses to any anomalies. With intuitive touchscreen interfaces, one can access controls for LES, electrical systems, and more, fostering safer navigation and enhanced onboard experiences.
Future-proof connectivity
Phoenix One’s holistic approach extends to robust connectivity solutions, ensuring S/Y Acaia remains connected, fast, and secure. A state-of-the-art IT network, featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology and multiple connectivity options like Maritime Starlink, 5G dome and wifi to keep Acaia connected to the Internet.
Comprehensive camera systems further enhance security, by providing peace of mind both locally and remotely.
Insights from captain Marc Calascione
S/Y Acaia Captain Marc Calascione gives us insight into the practical implications and efficiencies brought about by the Phoenix One system onboard:
How has the Phoenix One system helped on board with efficiencies?
“It is difficult to give a precise quantification of how our new Phoenix One systems on Acaia have improved efficiencies; the delta is so vast that it is essentially a completely new working environment. The system helped to bring Acaia out of stagnation from still having all her original instrumentation, power management, and networking capabilities, to a yacht with a fully meshed modern lightning-fast network supported by a robust powerhouse, all of which is easily managed with the tap of a finger on the new PLC unit.”
How much have you used the battery power since the system has been in place?
“Before our battery installation with Phoenix One, we were almost entirely dependent on our generators, especially when on charter or with the owner and family. This new installation has opened the option to run the entire air conditioning system through the whole boat overnight without the use of a generator. The installation saved us a huge amount of time and money in that we did not need to replace our (original from build) generators which were pushing their end-of-life brackets. The batteries have taken a huge amount of load off the generators and strike a nice balance between the main engine alternator and generator charging periods, where the alternator previously could not keep up with the demand. The intelligent load management system that connects via the PLC has halved my interaction time with the power system on board Acaia.”
What are your words of wisdom to any captain or owner who is thinking of making the step toward battery power and is concerned about using Lithium?
“I could not advise one way or the other for other captains or owners, every yacht has different demands, safety parameters, and structural limitations. What I will say is that this installation was not achieved using any form of template. Our vessel is classed with one of the top classification societies and Phoenix One was in close contact with them to create the unique parameters required by the classification society and effectively create a new template for vessels of the same structure and class to use when considering this installation. Ultimately, Phoenix One was successful in achieving confirmation from the organisation that this was an installation that met the most stringent safety standards, making a pivotal step forward into the future of Lithium setups on yachts. This user-friendly, efficient, and modern ecosystem has completely changed our vessel for the better, I would not hesitate to recommend the same for others where appropriate, especially with Phoenix One at the helm.”
A journey towards sustainability
Phoenix One’s mission revolves around three ground-breaking solutions: Silent Power, Hybrid Propulsion, Monitoring and the NEST cloud storage, all aimed at enhancing the yachting adventure while reducing environmental harm. For more information on how you can transform your yacht, contact us at sales@phoenixone.com.
