A New Era for Shore Power
The marine world is on the cusp of a major change, and it's starting at the power pedestal. Since launching its revolutionary prongless shore power terminals in 2022, Canadian electrical component manufacturer VoltSafe has been working to change the face of power pedestals all over the world. With a mission to replace traditional pronged plugs with a safer, smarter, and more efficient magnetic connection, the company has spent the last three years securing patents, winning international awards, and preparing for a global launch.
This innovative technology isn't just a concept; it’s now a reality. VoltSafe recently celebrated a significant milestone with a full-scale deployment at one of Canada's most prestigious luxury yacht marinas, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC). The installation at the club's Wigwam Inn location represents VoltSafe’s largest pre-commercial showcase to date, demonstrating the real-world benefits of its technology.
Redefining Safety and Efficiency
VoltSafe’s technology is engineered to solve long-standing problems that have plagued marinas for decades. The company's magnetic shore power plug and matching pedestal use flat connector surfaces, which eliminate the possibility of internal water pooling. This simple design feature is a game-changer, preventing corrosion, arcing, and fires that are common with traditional plugs. The technology also includes a unique internal circuitry that keeps the plug in a power-off mode until a secure connection is established using a proprietary digital fingerprint.
“RVYC isn’t just looking to future-proof their marinas, they’ve actively worked with us to shape the marinas of tomorrow,” says VoltSafe co-founder and CEO, Trevor Burgess. “By utilizing our prongless blueprint we’ve been able to overcome the longstanding challenges that have plagued all marinas. With VoltSafe’s plug-and-play shore power pedestals, RVYC is able to provide its members with the safest and most intuitive shore power experience available, while benefiting from lower energy consumption and reduced yearly operating costs.”
A Global Vision for the Future
As VoltSafe prepares to license its technology, a key focus is the European market, where the push for electrification is growing. A recent foundational patent granted by the European Patent Office marks a crucial step in this expansion, providing full protection for the company’s flagship technology. The success at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club is not only a testament to the product's effectiveness but also a powerful case study to showcase its potential to a global audience.
Chris Barnett, RVYC’s marine assets and operations manager, emphasizes that the installation is simply good business sense. “The RVYC’s commitment to creating a great marina experience is complemented by our passion to future-proof our docks with VoltSafe’s shore power system,” said Barnett. “Safety and smarter energy efficiency is paramount in driving waves of change towards a truly sustainable marina ecosystem; this is something RVYC shares with VoltSafe as a core value. We believe the installation at Wigwam will provide an exceptional experience for both our members and our staff, and underscore our commitment to making marina operations safer and more efficient.”