Latest news with #zeroCarbon
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
ACEL Power and Iconic Zero-Emission Vessel "Porrima P111" Partner for Landmark International Launch
Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia — ACEL Power Inc., a Canadian leader in intelligent electric propulsion systems, is proud to announce its participation in the relaunch of Porrima P111 —the world's first zero-carbon vessel to circumnavigate the globe without fossil fuels. This collaboration marks the first phase of an ongoing partnership with Porrima to scale intelligent electric systems for auxiliary and main propulsion in future vessels. Article content Article content By contributing to this flagship project, ACEL Power is proud to join a global ecosystem of innovators committed to redefining the future of maritime mobility. Originally built in Switzerland and launched in 2010, Porrima made history by completing four global tours powered entirely by renewable energy. After arriving in Taiwan in 2023, the vessel has undergone more than a year of advanced retrofitting in southern Taiwan. The upgraded ship, now named Porrima P111, stands as a symbol of global collaboration in marine innovation and sustainability. Article content The official launching ceremony took place on May 22, 2025, at Xingda Port, Kaohsiung City. Hosted by the Co-Founder of Porrima Stan Shih, the event was attended by Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and First Lady Valerie Whipps, highlighting growing diplomatic and environmental cooperation in the Pacific region. The presence of Pacific leaders reflects the growing alignment between technology, sustainability, and diplomacy — a vision ACEL Power supports as we expand into Asia-Pacific markets. Article content As part of this groundbreaking partnership, ACEL Power is collaborating with Porrima to deliver its Intelligent Electric Series for the vessel's Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) tender, utilizing its 50HP system with 40Kwh Battery pack. More than electrification, this integration represents a leap towards intelligent marine mobility — combining zero-emission performance with digitalization. Together, ACEL and Porrima are setting a new global benchmark for sustainable, smart marine innovation. By contributing to this flagship project, ACEL Power is proud to join a global ecosystem of innovators committed to redefining the future of maritime mobility. Article content Porrima was co-founded by Acer Group founder Stan Shih and 'Blue Economy' author Gunter Pauli, with a vision to position net-zero marine innovation as a pillar of future industry. The vessel's retrofit was led by a cross-industry collaboration driven by Shih, leveraging Taiwan's industrial capabilities to build a new zero-carbon marine supply chain. Article content 'This moment marks both a celebration of the past and a bold step into the future,' said Anthony Liu, CEO of ACEL Power. 'We're honored to power part of Porrima's journey and excited to expand access to electric propulsion through our partnership with VIVIC.' Article content About ACEL Power Article content ACEL Power, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, is a pioneering manufacturer of electric outboard propulsion systems, leading the marine industry in innovation and sustainability. Noted for introducing the world's first mass-produced 50 and 75HP electric motors, ACEL Power is committed to shaping a sustainable future through the creation of a smart electric eco-system. With a forward-looking vision, ACEL aims to offer a comprehensive range from 1HP to 650HP, establishing new benchmarks for marine propulsion in performance, safety, and longevity. Leveraging patented technology and integrated software solutions, ACEL Power is driving change towards a cleaner, more efficient boating experience. Article content About Porrima P111 Article content Pioneering Zero emission ship Article content The ship originally designed in 2008 and built in 2010 was the first to circumnavigate the world in 2012 without a drop of oil under the name 'PlanetSolar'. In 2017, the solar energy system was strengthened with an intelligent kite operated by a robot and hydrogen made from seawater. After sailing the equivalent of four times around the world, Porrima is ready to industrialize these zero emissions ships which are 20% boat and 80% technologies. These ships support sustainable local economic growth and stimulates entrepreneurship for the common good. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on green homes: solar panels and heat pumps should be a bare minimum
Almost two decades after the last Labour government announced a zero carbon homes standard, and with the breaking of temperature records around the world now so normal as to seem routine, it ought to be uncontroversial that new buildings should be as environmentally friendly as possible. Given everything we know about global heating, and the law obliging the UK to reach net zero by 2050, it is disturbing that even the basics of promoting energy security and efficiency continue to be questioned. But that is the situation Britain faces, as the government lays the ground for a housebuilding spree that it hopes will last for the rest of this parliament (as planning is devolved, the target of 1.5m new homes is for England only). Much of the blame for this discouraging state of affairs lies with the Tories, who delayed progress towards sustainability by scrapping environmental rules, leading to a disgraceful proliferation of new developments where the houses do not even have solar panels on the roofs. Ministers have confirmed that solar panels are likely to feature in their future homes standard for England. But questions remain about how prescriptive the new rules will be. Construction firms must be obliged to install enough panels to meet a home's energy needs to ensure that they do so. Battery storage should also be included, as this reduces dependence on the grid. High insulation standards would help to reduce energy demand and keep bills down. However, it is the government's policy on domestic heating that is arguably the area of greatest concern. Important though it is, ramping up renewable power can only ever be one side of the green energy story. Fossil fuels must also be phased out. But the recent abandonment of green pledges, including a proposed ban on wood-burning stoves in new homes, coupled with the cavalier approach to nature taken in the planning bill, has left campaigners worried that on heating, too, ministers will cave in to housebuilders' demands by allowing them to fit gas boilers. This would be as economically shortsighted as it is environmentally destructive. Other European countries are already miles ahead of the UK on installations, and heat pump manufacture has the potential to be an important source of green jobs. Labour has already abandoned a policy of phasing out gas boilers by 2035, despite the Climate Change Committee – which advises the government – having strongly criticised the refusal to move decisively away from gas heating. Heat pumps in new houses should be seen as a bare minimum. Industry would adapt more readily, bringing prices down, if the government sent clearer messages. The danger, as with the planning reforms that set the scene, is that builders call the shots. This highly concentrated industry was a crucial source of donations to the Tory party and remains very powerful, since ministers have no other means of delivering their pledges. But while construction firms want to keep costs low and maximise profits, these ought not to be MPs' priorities. Retrofitting heat pumps and insulation costs far more than installing them in the first place. Rare habitats such as chalk streams cannot simply be moved or replaced. Elected politicians must insist on this longer-term perspective. Building new homes is important, but nature and the UK's climate goals must not be demolished in the process.
