ABB is creating solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the world's ports.
By
ABB Communications
ABB Shore to ship technology supplies ships that are docked with electricity from shore, so they can turn off the diesel engines that provide electricity for onboard systems like heating, lighting and refrigeration, and reduce greenhouse gas and noise emissions in port.
Port authorities and ship owners face massive environmental protection challenges resulting from a European Union directive to control emissions in European ports, which came into force in January 2010. The directive forces vessels that are in port for more than two hours to reduce their GHG emissions – a requirement best met by switching off their diesel engines and using shore-side power while docked.
Eliminating emissions
During a 10-hour stay in port, the diesel engines of a single cruise ship burn 20 metric tons of fuel and produce 60 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which can be eliminated by supplying the ship’s infrastructure with shore-side power.
During a 10-hour stay in port, the diesel engines of a single cruise ship burn 20 metric tons of fuel and produce 60 metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to the total yearly emissions of 25 average-sized European cars, which can be eliminated by supplying the ship’s infrastructure with shore-side power.
ABB is a pioneer in this technology and successfully installed the world’s first shore to ship project in the port of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2000.
Docked ships that are plugged into power from shore eliminate carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions that would ordinarily result from burning diesel fuel while in port. The technology also helps reduce low-frequency noise and vibrations, and allows crews to maintain diesel engines while the ship is berthed.
ABB provides fully engineered and integrated systems as well as services ranging from the main incoming substation to retrofitting the vessel’s electrical system to receive shore power.
ABB provides the complete electrical infrastructure, both onshore and offshore as turnkey solutions, including a portfolio of key system components such as frequency converters, high- and medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, control and protection systems, etc.
A dedicated team
ABB’s optimized offering covers the entire scope of supply and is in line with customer needs and expectations. This approach also reduces risk by eliminating white spots and overlaps.
As a full-scope supplier, ABB provides fully engineered and integrated systems as well as services ranging from the main incoming substation to retrofitting the vessel’s electrical system to receive shore power.
Onshore, this involves ensuring an appropriate supply of power, and includes adapting the voltage level and frequency of electricity from the local grid to match the vessel's electrical system. ABB’s substations business is responsible for these aspects, and can offer turnkey shore connections.
Since the development of an onshore power supply can have a significant impact on the local grid, ABB also offers system studies to assess the overall effect, and can recommend solutions to upgrade and strengthen the local grid and port network so that they are able to accommodate shore power connections.
Solutions with single or multiple frequencies regardless of power rating are available for single and multiple berth applications, container terminals and city ports, as well as small footprint indoor concepts that can accommodate all major system components, a strength of our medium voltage drives and power electronics business.
Onboard the ship, the power solution needs to be fully integrated with the vessel’s electrical and automation system, and must enable seamless power switching as required between the ship’s own electrical generation system and the shore power supply, a task taken care of by ABB's Marine business.