Onshore power supply
Intelligent solutions for ships in port with medium voltage SIHARBOR/SIPLINK systems
General Information
- Description
- Environment
- Onboard
- Onshore
- Solutions
Onshore power supply for ships - environmentally friendly and economical
Cargo shipping carries the bulk of the global traffic in goods. More than 90 percent of the global trade flow is transported across the world's oceans. But while maritime transport contributes about the same proportion of global CO2 emissions as air transport, maritime transport shows other pollution problems: Combustion of ship diesel fuel releases considerably higher emissions of sulfur and particulate matter than do other fuels.
Seaports suffer particularly from pollution, not only due to ships entering and leaving, but also during their lay days. In the European Union , this has led to a recommendation for installing a onshore power supply for ships berthed in ports.
An onshore power supply provides an effective, convenient solution to the problem of emissions from berthed ships. With the SIHARBOR onshore power supply system, Siemens offers a standard, modular system concept both onshore and on board the ship. SIHARBOR complies with the EU recommendation 2006/339/EC in every respect.
During lay times in port, ships are supplied with electricity from auxiliary generators. This generates pollution, noise and vibrations
Less noise and vibrations:
An electrical connection eliminates the vibration and noise of on-board generators, thereby significantly increasing the quality of life for passengers, crew and residents in the port area.
Reduction in pollution:
SIHARBOR results in 35 percent less carbon dioxide, about 97 percent less nitrogen oxides and 90 percent less fine dust than the use of maritime diesel.
More information:
Ship owners:
Onboard diesel generators can be shut down during lay days in port. This makes maintenance work on the ship easier to plan and cheaper. Noise is also reduced, making life on board ship much more pleasant for passengers and crew alike.
Freight managers:
SIHARBOR saves fuel through the shutdown of the diesel generators in port. This make its easier to plan the amount of fuel and thus helps to reduce costs.
Cost efficiency:
Electricity from an onshore power supply is not subject to fluctuations in the price of oil.
Electricity generated on board costs money. Taking into account losses for auxiliary equipment such as cooling water pumps, fans, fuel pumps and fuel preheating, a diesel generator generates 3.5 kWh of power from one kg fuel. When heavy oil is used, the yield drops to about 3 kWh per kg because tank and fuel pipe also have to be heated. But the use of heavy oil in European ports is to be banned beginning in 2010. In 2008 prices for oil products in Rotterdam increased by 100% in a short time, while electricity prices stayed constant. The use of an onshore electricity supply means calculable energy prices in the port.
Port operators and cities:
The connection of ships to an onshore power supply eliminates vibration and noise. The reduction in pollution due to carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine dust increases the quality of life for residents in the port area, port employees and passengers.
Cost efficiency on-shore:
The price gap between fuel costs for ships and onshore electricity prices means a fast return on investment.
The use of heavy oil is to be banned in European ports as of 2010. After this date, electric power can only be generated on board ships using marine gas oil (MGO). MGO costs US$600 per metric ton (as of Nov. 2008). This means that every kWh generated on board will cost roughly 14 euro cents. With exact planning of ships’ consumption and the right purchasing policy for electricity, the purchase price of electricity can be considerably lower than this depending on the contract. Thus ROI periods of between 3 and 7 years are realistic depending on the level of utilization of the onshore connection. Rising fuel prices are expected in the future, so that ROI periods will tend to be shorter rather than longer.
The path to an onshore power supply:
From the initial concept to commissioning, we support you in planning and implementing your onshore power supply.
1. Concept phase
Feasibility studies, (for example a power system analysis) help analyze the existing fundamentals correctly.
2. Design phase
In the design phase, solutions for the specific local requirements are developed in consultation with the customer.
3. Implementation
Implementation comprises initial planning, project planning, procurement, deadline monitoring and documentation.
4. Installation and commissioning
The SIPLINK system can be set up and installed in existing buildings, as a container system solution or in prefabricated concrete stations. For these installations, however, they must be designed as electrical operating areas. The components are preassembled and are tested for function at the manufacturers. Assembly can be carried out by the local Siemens agency or the customer itself. This is followed by commissioning and system testing by specially trained Siemens personnel.
Checklist
When planning a solution for an onshore power supply, there are a number of various crucial aspects that must be taken into consideration. Here you can download a checklist.
Our Portfolio (3)
SIPLINK – Technology
Essential core element of the SIHARBOR system for frequency adaption
- Description
On two-thirds of all ships worldwide, the on-board supply system operates at 60 Hertz. In Europe it is necessary to adapt this to the onshore power supply.
With the Siplink system, the core element of the SIHARBOR solution, two converters are interconnected through a DC intermediate circuit and are each connected to a power supply system. The system is thus able not only to feed a separate network from one distribution network, but to match power supply systems with different parameters to one another and to interconnect them.
1 Harbor supply
2 Harbor infrastructure
3 SIPLINK and distribution with voltage and frequency matchingsung
4 Ship-shoreside connection
5 On-board connection