Sterling PlanB rebrands as Shift, plans new clean energy service

Canadian energy storage solutions provider Sterling PlanB (SPBES), now called Shift, has revealed its plans to expand its markets beyond marine industries and to launch a new clean energy supply service PwrSwäp.

The announcement comes as the marine industry and others come under considerable pressure to move away from diesel fuel and achieve ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, including the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) goal to reduce GHGs by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and by 50 per cent by 2050.

PwrSwäp will provide customers with fully charged ePod battery cartridges and all related components which are connected through cloud-based service and management centres. The swappable batteries are sized per trip instead of a permanent 10-year system, greatly reducing size and weight and cost, some of the biggest barriers to ESS use.

This “swapping” process is enabled by the unequalled safety features of Shift’s batteries, built for the most challenging environments on earth. Batteries and charging stations are at the core of PwrSwäp, but Shift can also integrate new renewable energy sources like offshore wind and solar. This integrated approach can electrify ports, terminals, inland waterways, industrial sites and even entire isolated communities.

“We’re building a new business model to help customers shift to a cleaner world through electrification,” said Shift CEO Brent Perry. “PwrSwäp system is ready to help industry, corporations, small communities and other institutions to use clean energy for their operations and achieve climate action goals, while also saving them money on day one.”

In February this year, Sterling PlanB and India state-controlled shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate an increase in access to hybrid and fully electric propulsion and power solutions expertise throughout India.