Shore power solutions from Wärtsilä help vessels save fuel and decrease their emissions because they can plug in to the onshore electricity grid when in port. Without shore power, the vessels would have to use auxiliary engines to generate power.
Shore power systems are becoming standard in newbuild vessels, and they are a popular retrofit option for existing vessels as well.
Shore power refers to the possibility for a ship to plug in to an onshore electricity grid when in port. With shore power, the vessel does not have to use its auxiliary engines to generate power. This decreases emissions and noise.
Shore power can also be used to charge the energy storage system on board the ship.
Other terms for shore power include:
All these terms are typically used for IEC-80005 standardized plug solutions (IEEE SA - IEEE/IEC 80005-1-2019 most used in the High Voltage version), which ensure that the vessel will be able to get shore power in any commercial port.
The power grid (for example 8kV, 50Hz) feeds the power conversion system, such as an e-house or container in the port.
In this e-house or container the electrical power is converted to the IEC standard, which is 60hz and for most vessels 6.6kV or Direct Current for a battery charging application. The power conversion system includes a converter, transformer, cooling and fire fighting system.
Then the cable handling system allows the heavy cables to be lifted up to the ship. On the ship an incoming panel is placed in a confined room, where the operator connects the ship to shore power.
The power is often via a transformer (if ship grid is low voltage) connected to the main switchboard. The Wärtsilä shore power control system and built in safety features ensures safe and seamless operation.
When a vessel uses Alternative Marine Power (AMP) while in port, it can turn off the genset and take power from shore. This reduces the vessel’s emissions and fuel consumption.
Container vessels and passenger vessels often use an AMP solution. Current legislation determines that both vessel type have to use shore power in EU ports from 2030 onwards. Other users include RoRo vessels, LNG carriers, tankers, ferries, and mega yachts.
The term charging (or ferry charging) is used for a variety of alternative and non-regulated or tailored solutions that provide shore power to battery powered or hybrid ships for the purpose of charging their battery.
A chargeable, on-board energy storage system allows a vessel to operate without running its engines. Using a zero-carbon on-shore power grid for charging means that the vessel can achieve zero-carbon operations when it is battery-powered.
The main advantage of charging solutions is a shorter connection time. This is important for ferries that only have a few minutes of time for charging their battery when they load and unload on each turnaround.
All vessel charging systems have the same set up onshore like Alternative Marine Power, which includes more than just the cable handling system – the visible part that connects power to the ship.
A shore power connection will save fuel and cut your vessel emissions – and there are five more exciting reasons why it’s time to invest in ship to shore power!
Learn the basics about shore power and discover why it is such a green choice – in less than two minutes!
To date, Wärtsilä has delivered more than 150 shore power solutions to ships. In fact, Wärtsilä’s solution was the reference for the Long Beach port – the first one that made shore power mandatory.
The world’s largest zero-emissions lightweight catamaran ferry, ordered by Buquebus and built by Incat Tasmania will have the world’s largest DC shore charging system.
Technology group Wärtsilä will partner with Transworld Group to apply the most advanced decarbonisation modelling capabilities to the bulk carriers sector of Orient Express lines of Dubai, owned by Transworld Group and Managed by Transworld Ship Management (TWSM), one of India's premium private sector ship management firms. The aim of the project is to provide decision-making support by simulating the impact of efficiency upgrade technologies on the vessel’s environmental performance. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in December 2022.
By creating and validating a digital model of the ‘TBC Prestige’ based on measured real-life data, various technology solutions can be simulated and assessed. The technology simulations will indicate their effect on emissions profiling, the impact on the ship’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating, and Return on Investment (ROI) calculations. This is the first such modelling project for the Indian maritime market. The modelling is part of the Wärtsilä’s Decarbonisation Services offering.
“We are determined to explore all options for decarbonising our fleet operations. Wärtsilä’s modelling capabilities will allow us to determine the best way forward for achieving our sustainability ambitions in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible. The ‘TBC Prestige’ was chosen for this project as we have ten similar bulk carrier vessels in our fleet,” says Sanjiv Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Transworld Group.
“Wärtsilä is the only equipment supplier able to provide this kind of service with full in-house capabilities. It is a value-adding service from a company with vast experience and know-how in meeting the marine sector’s complex environmental regulatory requirements. We applaud Transworld Ship Management for their vision in seeking an optimal decarbonisation solution,” says Sachin Kulkarni, General Manager, Marine Business Sales for South Asia, at Wärtsilä.
Among the technologies to be examined in this project are a new optimised propeller, Wärtsilä’s Energoprofin, an energy-saving propeller cap, a shore power solution, and a shaft generator system. TWSM and Wärtsilä have established a long-term relationship with various lifecycle services and solutions having been previously delivered.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Isabella Alder
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Marine Power
Tel: +44 (0)7792 681 757
marine.media@wartsila.com
Image caption: The project will create and validate a digital model of the ‘TBC Prestige’, based on measured real-life data © Transworld Group
All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,500 professionals in more than 240 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2022, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
Using renewable power via a shore connection is a great way to reduce your emissions. You will find 49 more ways in a fascinating eBook “50 great ways the maritime industry could cut its greenhouse gas emissions”. Learn more:
Contact us today to learn how shore power solutions from Wärtsilä can benefit your operations.
