Island Institute
The MTI network has also helped amplify Island Institute’s efforts and spread awareness throughout Maine’s broader community.
–Lia Morris, Senior Community Development Officer, Island Institute
Leading the Charge Toward Cleaner Waters
For 41 years, Island Institute has worked with island and coastal communities in Maine to address their most pressing economic and environmental challenges. Under the leadership of Senior Community Development Officer Lia Morris, the organization has emerged as a national leader in marine electrification, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical marine applications.
The journey began with a collaborative greenhouse gas study conducted with Luke’s Lobster, examining carbon emissions across the lobster supply chain from trap to table. The results were clear: diesel fuel represented the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Maine’s marine industry.
“Currently, Maine livelihoods along the coast bound to the sea are reliant on fossil fuels,” Lia explained. “Island Institute supports marine-related businesses in achieving cost stability while adopting emission-reducing technologies.”
While marine propulsion has been slow to electrify compared to the automotive industry, Island Institute saw an opportunity. Recognizing that hybridizing lobster boats would require complex and costly efforts, the organization strategically focused on smaller harbor craft as a pathway to educate stakeholders and build comfort with electric motors before tackling the lobster fishery.
Breaking New Ground
The challenge was multifaceted. On the supply side, there was limited availability of electric outboard motor technology suitable for commercial applications in Maine waters. On the demand side, most marine businesses lacked awareness and access to existing electric outboard technology, along with an evidence base to ensure these motors were appropriate for Maine’s diverse marine use cases.
“All of this initial networking required substantial effort to identify the major players, build relationships, and secure buy-in from manufacturers interested in Maine’s specific use cases,” Lia noted. The organization’s methodical approach involved answering core questions: Who are the suppliers? Who are the leaders in the space? How can we help manufacturers build better, more successful products for our specific end users?
Island Institute’s first fully funded, all-electric work boat launched in summer 2023 at Pendleton Yacht Yard, marking a turning point that generated significant momentum throughout Maine’s marine community.
PRIME
Ecosystem Award
28
electric outboards deployed
1700
metric tons of CO2
$672,000
lifetime savings for 28 boats
MTI’s Catalytic Impact
The $500,000 grant from MTI’s PRIME Ecosystem program proved instrumental in advancing this work, enabling the transition from planning to implementation. The funding supported three key initiatives:
- “Seeing is Believing” for boats demonstration program
- Shoreside Infrastructure Report to assess grid readiness and expansion opportunities
- Workforce upskilling initiatives in partnership with Maine Community College System
Lia emphasizes the broader impact of MTI’s support: “The MTI network has also helped amplify Island Institute’s efforts and spread awareness throughout Maine’s broader community.”
The results have been impressive. Twenty-eight boats have been converted to electric outboard propulsion, with strong repeat interest at annual boatyard and marine service provider convenings. The organization’s Spark! Grants program, which funds working waterfront energy projects including marine electrification and shoreside charging infrastructure, has generated significant application interest. Their educational initiatives have reached 93 Level 1 E-boat course participants and graduated 28 from the Level 2 outboard technician course.
Building an Ecosystem
Island Institute’s approach extends beyond simply deploying technology. They’ve supported installation of four marine-adjacent Level 2 chargers, delivered presentations at national conferences including the National Working Waterfront Conference and North American Hybrid & Electric Expo, and built partnerships across Maine’s marine community and beyond.
Key collaborators include early adopter innovators like Pendleton Yacht Yard, Maine Ocean Farms, Hylan & Brown, Maine Electric Boat, and The Boatyard/Shred Electric, along with educational partners at Midcoast School of Technology and Kennebec Valley Community College.
“There are pockets of leadership in the business community across the coast of Maine that have been and continue to walk the walk on electrification,” Lia shared. “Whether it’s Pendleton Yacht Yards’ longstanding commitment to electrifying many parts of their operation, or the vision and passion that outfits like Shred Electric bring to solving energy transitions for commercial users, we have a strong and growing network supporting this work.”
A Personal Connection
For Lia, this work represents a full-circle moment. Born and raised in a boatyard, the sound of diesel engines has always personified the Maine waterfront for her. “Imagining that a quieter, cleaner working waterfront is not only possible, but well on its way, gives her hope.”
She finds satisfaction in operating at the front edge of innovation, fostering the partnerships needed to create meaningful change, and engaging in the creative and intellectual challenge of designing demonstration projects along with the ecosystem support necessary for success.
Looking Ahead
Island Institute’s long-term vision is ambitious: a Maine coast that stands as a model for an adaptive, climate-ready economy. The organization plans to maintain its national leadership in marine electrification while supporting the acceleration of outboard adoption and exploring policy solutions that support marine businesses in adopting electrified technologies.
Future goals include developing partnerships for data collection in Maine’s lobster fishery, confirming hybrid system suitability for a significant percentage of the fishing fleet, and hybridizing 1-2 lobster boats within the next three years.
As Island Institute continues to electrify Maine’s marine economy, Lia remains focused on the bigger picture: “To educate and excite people about electric and hybrid-electric propulsion as an alternative to traditional diesel engines, and to help bring projects to life for people to see, believe, and operate the technology while maintaining business operation profile.”
With 2,700 metric tons of lifetime carbon emissions avoided and $1.3 million in lifetime savings generated, Island Institute is proving that Maine’s marine economy can lead the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
