VoltSafe’s mission is to create simple and safe access to high voltage power while effectively managing demand and usage. The team knew from day one that the technology would have a tremendous positive social, economic, and environmental impact. What VoltSafe soon also learned was that the demand for its technology in the marine industry would quickly rise above the rest to become the company’s current key target market due to its antiquated technology and operational methods. 

There are serious hazards of having electricity near water, and too many GHG-producing propulsion methods creating major safety and environmental concerns. The need to move quickly to more sustainable methods, in parallel with enhancing safety, has drawn VoltSafe to bring its disruptive technology to an industry long overdue for change within a now surging blue economy.

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The first product VoltSafe commercialized served as VoltSafe’s gateway to certification and earned the company the distinction of becoming the first in the world to safety certify a product with exposed metal contacts - this was no small feat and took several years of hard work and R&D to achieve. VoltSafe continued to perfect its innovation, improving the technology and expanding on its patent moat. Inbound requests for products supporting higher amperage and multiple use cases soared. In no time, emergency services, medical facilities, segments of the defence sector, and autonomous charging were flooding VoltSafe with requests, wanting to know if VoltSafe Technology could work for them. The short answer is yes - wherever there is high power, VoltSafe can create the hardware and energy management dashboard or app to go with it. However, as VoltSafe was in the midst of further R&D and in pursuit of licensing deals, it became very evident that the maritime industry was a perfect fit for VoltSafe’s flagship technology. The blue economy is growing at a feverish pace and represents a massive market ripe for innovation. VoltSafe is laser focused on solving the challenges and dangers associated with marine shore power and EV charging. Boaters and marinas began contacting VoltSafe to see if they could test the beta product and a wide-scale pilot project across Canada and the United States commenced. The interest and demand for VoltSafe’s award-winning marine shore power solution has been growing like a tsunami.

Waves of Interest Within the Blue Economy

The maritime industrial sector has been under a lot of pressure to update shore power infrastructure to improve safety. New regulations passed by the NFPA to protect boaters and shore workers from shore power hazards, have sent marinas into a scramble to try to replace aging pedestals to improve safety on the docks. There is also a growing blue economy that requires sustainable and environmentally safe growth in order to protect the coastal waters and communities.  

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VoltSafe is aligned with many important organizations that work to bring sustainable and safer practices around energy usage in the maritime industry. The team sought out strategic memberships with the VMCC (Vancouver Maritime Centre for Climate), NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association), ABCMI (Association of British Columbia Marine Industries), the IEMA (International Electric Marine Association) and PCC (Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters) fostered opportunities and networks that connected VoltSafe with bluetech industry experts. These engagements provide networking opportunities for VoltSafe to collect valuable feedback while at related tradeshows and events. It has been validating to discover that VoltSafe’s shore power systems and autonomous charging capabilities are poised to set a new standard in safety and sustainability.  

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Surfing the Bluetech Tide

It’s the technology which sets VoltSafe Marine apart from other pedestal systems. VoltSafe Marine began with the patented electrical gateway technology found in Voltsafe Winter that prevents current from flowing when the cord and outlet are not paired. It was the safety aspect and the easy disconnect feature which initially drew excitement from marina and dock owners. Many of them had already experienced extensive and expensive damage to their docks from boats launching without disconnecting from shore power. 

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Working with and around shore power that produces 30-100 Amps can be extremely dangerous. The combination of high voltage and water raised the risk of fatalities. Traditional pronged pedestals are notorious for causing fire damage and electrocutions. The recessed prongs hide corrosion that leads to arcs and sparking. Many of these types of pedestals are also prone to faulty wiring.  It’s easy for cords to end up in the water. Wet prongs usually lead to a shocking end. VoltSafe’s technology allows users to wipe water off the contacts before connecting to power and there is no fear of electrocution from touching the contacts. 

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The organizations that have contacted VoltSafe are a part of the expanding Blue Economy. The Blue Economy’s mandate is to operate sustainably with environmental protections in mind but that requires advancing blue technologies first. Since VoltSafe’s award winning technology is adaptable and scalable, there’s no mystery to why many turn to Voltsafe for a solution to their electric infrastructure and operation needs. VoltSafe Marine’s hardware and accompanying software will allow docks, ports and other marine environments to operate sustainably by reducing paperwork and collecting data required to help grow their business and improve operations while protecting the marine environment.

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Diving into Critical Projects

Voltsafe recently graduated from Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic’s Oceans Stream, a nine month program pairing high potential innovators with ocean industry focused entrepreneurs, investors, and leading scientists. It aims to disrupt the ocean economy with emerging digital technologies and sustainable solutions. The feedback, input and strategic guidance provided by the mentors has provided Voltsafe with the roadmap and direction for bringing VoltSafe Marine to market.

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It has also opened doors to other programs and initiatives which will allow us to collaborate with innovators in the oceans industry. VoltSafe’s recent invitation to engage in one of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster projects, CEPAC: Canadian Electric Propulsion Acceleration Coalition, is one recent example. The project’s initiative is to accelerate the development and commercialization of electric marine propulsion across tourism, aquaculture, and government sectors  in order to revolutionize marine transportation. There’s no stopping the advancement of this revolutionary shore power system now.

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If you would like to learn more, visit VoltSafe Marine or if you are interested in investing in bluetech, invest here.

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