Member Spotlight - Siemens Energy
This month we are proud to feature Siemens Energy as our Member of the Month. A global leader in energy technology, Siemens Energy is driving the transition toward cleaner, more sustainable solutions across multiple sectors, including maritime and offshore electrification.
Photo credit - Siemens Energy (Color Hybrid)
With a history spanning more than 175 years in electricity and more than a century of presence in Norway, the company has deep expertise in delivering innovations that shape the way energy is produced, stored, and distributed. Established around eight years ago as a spin-off from Siemens AG, Siemens Energy continues to carry forward a long tradition of engineering excellence, now with a sharper focus on the future of energy.
Maritime Electrification in Practice
The company’s portfolio is wide, ranging from renewables and grid technologies to large-scale energy storage and industrial power solutions. But it is in the maritime sector that Siemens Energy has demonstrated some of its most exciting advances. A milestone achievement was the electrification of the Ampere ferry, the world’s first battery-powered car and passenger ferry, which operates on hydropower-charged lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough highlighted Siemens Energy’s capacity to design and deliver propulsion systems that drastically reduce emissions and operating costs, proving that maritime electrification can be both practical and profitable.
Leadership in Battery Systems
At the heart of this work with battery systems is Lars Barstad, Technology Manager for Battery Systems within Siemens Energy’s Electrification, Automation and Digitalization division. With more than 40 years at Siemens and Siemens Energy, his career reflects the evolution of marine electrification itself. From his early work with UPS systems and service development to his current role overseeing advanced battery technologies for maritime applications, Barstad’s perspective is shaped by decades of engineering experience. He has seen first-hand the transition from traditional propulsion to hybrid and fully electric systems, and today he is one of the leading voices on how batteries will shape the future of shipping.
Photo credit - Siemens Energy (Basto Electric)
Challenges on the Path to Decarbonization
Speaking on behalf of the company, Lars Barstad emphasizes that while progress has been significant, challenges remain. Identifying the optimal green energy sources for ships and developing storage systems with sufficient density for long voyages continue to be pressing issues. For deep-sea vessels in particular, weight and space constraints make it difficult to rely on batteries alone. Instead, the future lies in hybrid power solutions that integrate multiple energy sources. Batteries will not replace other forms of energy entirely, but they will play a crucial role in stabilizing power, optimizing efficiency, and reducing emissions in both near-shore and offshore applications.
The Future of Maritime Batteries
Siemens Energy’s projects in offshore supply vessels and hybrid ferries demonstrate how batteries are already delivering cost savings and operational benefits. The company’s simulation and design tools allow shipbuilders to model propulsion needs, battery sizing, and sailing profiles, ensuring vessels are optimized before they ever hit the water. In doing so, Siemens Energy is helping its customers manage not only today’s challenges but also the evolving regulatory and sustainability demands of tomorrow, including compliance with new frameworks like the EU Battery Passport.
Despite the hurdles, Siemens Energy views the future of maritime batteries with optimism. Proven designs show how impactful batteries can be in improving sailing profiles and cargo operations, while also offering shipowners a pathway to meet tightening emissions standards. For the company, the goal is not to force a one-size-fits-all approach but to integrate the right mix of technologies for each vessel and voyage. Hybrid solutions, in their view, represent the most realistic way forward, combining the stability and efficiency of batteries with other renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
Looking Ahead
With a global presence, a strong record of innovation, Siemens Energy continues to set the standard for sustainable maritime solutions. Their work demonstrates how the industry can balance cost, performance, and environmental responsibility while navigating the complexities of the energy transition. As Siemens Energy looks ahead, batteries will remain a cornerstone of their vision for hybrid power solutions, an indispensable technology that is already reshaping the future of green shipping.
Photo credit - Siemens Energy (Basto Electric)
About the Maritime Battery Forum
The Maritime Battery Forum was founded with the aim of promoting new and efficient energy storage technologies in the maritime industry. With over 90 members across 3 continents, the MBF works to disseminate information, facilitate discussion, and accelerate the journey towards a zero-emission maritime future.
Contact :
Ayomide Miracle Salifu
Community & Communications Manager
Email: ayomidesalifu@maritimebatteryforum.com
Website: www.maritimebatteryforum.com
