Aquaculture is going electric in Maine with the help of Aqua superPower and the US DOE
Leading marine charging network Aqua SuperPower, along with the United States Department of Energy, is helping bring more sustainability to Maine’s waters. Aquaculture specialist and oyster cultivator Maine Ocean Farms has received a grant from the government to deploy custom-built electric boats that will be recharged by Aqua superPower fast chargers.
Aqua superPower is no stranger to Electrek and is often involved whenever we cover a company helping electrify marine transportation.
The company controls an entire marine-specific, dockside network of fast chargers for electric boats, utilizing connected software and an accessible app for fast chargers specifically engineered and rated for use in marine environments.
As arguably the leader in electric boat charging infrastructure, we’ve covered several of Aqua superPowers partnerships and fast charger rollouts, including a partnership in late 2021 with Tritium and Swedish electric boast manufacturer X Shore.
In the fall of 2022, Ingenity Electric and Aqua superPower announced a new partnership in which the companies would jointly promote marine e-mobility in the sports and leisure boat sector while driving compatibility standards throughout.
Other collaborations include the ultra-swanky Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), which became the company’s official charging partner in November 2023. In the US, Aqua superPower is helping other marine industries go electric, most recently in Maine, where an oyster cultivator recently garnered huge grants to deploy a new fleet of zero-emission aquaculture boats.
Maine Ocean Farms to deploy 100% electric boats
Aqua SuperPower shared details of its role in establishing electric boats in Maine. Per the release, Maine Ocean Farms has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, plus another $500,000 in matching funds.
This marine electrification project is being led by Aqua SuperPower, which will provide DC fast chargers to support Maine Ocean Farm’s electric boats through a partnership with Maine Clean Communities.
The custom electric boats themselves will be built by Fogg’s Boatworks in North Yarmouth, Maine, and will feature electric powertrains from marine tech leader Vita Power. Willy Leathers, Director of Farm Operations and Founding Partner of Maine Ocean Farms spoke about the grant and the incoming electric boats:
Maine Ocean Farms strives to continuously innovate our operations, embracing new technologies that can drive positive environmental change while supporting local economic growth. This project will demonstrate these technologies in action, providing data and real-time experience to other farmers and industry members.
The sustainable oyster cultivator says the electric workboats and Aqua superPower’s charging infrastructure will drastically cut its operation’s carbon footprint while minimizing noise, air, and water pollution. Thus leading to healthier marine ecosystems and improved water quality in Maine.
Lastly, the teams involved state the project will enable the gathering of real-time data to measure environmental and emissions reductions. Maine Ocean Farms will continue to collaborate with Vita Power to select the ideal system to transition its boats from ICE to electric.
The overall goal of the project is to showcase these sustainable marine technologies in action and provide a blueprint for other farmers in Maine and beyond to go electric.
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The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.
This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.
But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.
Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.
“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.
The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.
Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.
With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.
Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm
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Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices
After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.
Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.
The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.
Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.
The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.
Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.
Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.
According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.
| Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y | Starting Price | Range | Lease Price |
| Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition | $71,995 | +300 miles | $599/mo |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | $44,990 | 320 miles | $299/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD | $47,990 | 308 miles | $399/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD Performance | $51,490 | 279 miles | $599/mo |
In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.
Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.
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