30.03.2007
ABB is supplying Holland America Line with high voltage shore connections (HVSC) to eliminate the emissions of ships berthed at a leading U.S. port. ABB delivered the worldÂ’s first emissions-free HVSC in 2000, an innovation that won the customer a major EU environmental award.
The shore-to-ship power solutions enable three of Holland America LineÂ’s 13 cruise ships to plug into the local power grid and switch off their diesel engines while docked at their home port of Seattle in the United States.
ABBÂ’s high voltage shore connection enables the vessels to cut fuel costs and virtually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution during stopovers at one of the leading ports on the U.S. west coast. For Seattle it means improved air quality and increased revenues for the cityÂ’s publicly owned electric utility.
The solution includes 11 kV switchgear, automation hardware and software for the shipsÂ’ power management systems, and high voltage and low voltage cables that connect the shore panel to the main switchboard and power management system onboard each vessel.
Cruise ships in particular use vast quantities of power while in port.
These giant floating hotels require heating, air conditioning and lighting for around 4,000 guests and crew throughout their stay in port.
By using electricity from the grid, rather then generating power from the diesel engines, the reductions in emissions and savings in fuel are substantial.
Biggest source of air pollution
Port authorities and shipping operators in the United States and Europe are under increasing political pressure to improve air quality in ports, which are often located in sensitive marine environments or large densely populated cities.
According to a report issued in 2005 by the European Union, “ships are fast becoming the biggest source of air pollution in the EU.” Unless more action is taken, the report concludes, ships are set to “emit more than all land sources combined by 2020.”
The situation is similar in the United States where cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are taking steps to reduce ship emissions and lower the environmental impact of their ports ahead of expected legislation that could make shore power connections mandatory.
Another project at the Port of Seattle - the Princess Shore Power Project - involving Princess cruise ships uses electric power from shore to significantly reduce engine emissions. The project in 2005 eliminated 35 metric tons of turbine engine fuel per ship call, and seasonal reductions of 7.7 tons of particulate matter, and 203.5 tons of sulfur dioxides emissions, according to the Seattle Port Authority.
First choice for shore-to-ship solutions
ABB is the worldÂ’s leading supplier of marine electrification and automation systems, with a complete scope of supply capability for ports and all types of vessel from cruise ships to container ships, oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) tankers, ice breakers and semi-submersibles.
ABB delivered the worldÂ’s first high voltage shore connection in 2000. The installation led to the Swedish port of Gothenburg winning the European UnionÂ’s inaugural Clean Marine Award in 2004. The EU calculates that the ABB solution eliminates 80 metric tons of nitrogen oxide, 60 tons of sulphur dioxide and two tons of solid particle emissions at the port each year.
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ABB Limited
Grovelands House
Longford Road
Exhall
Coventry
CV7 9ND
Tel: 02476 368500
Fax: 02476 364499
www.abb.co.uk |
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Source: ABB Ireland website- 26-03-2007 |
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