generators and switchgear Short circuit constraint and reactions are key requirements
Schneider Electric has developed the loop power distribution topology for high voltage ship systems. The French company’s vice president for business development in the marine sector Edouard Coste said it has supplied these systems to automation and power distribution suppliers for specific vessel newbuilding projects.
“The loop distribution system includes
higher redundancy, and improves the energy efficiency on ships. If there is a failure in the system, then the power supply is not disrupted as it is a ring network. It is more efficient because there are less cabling and lower power losses,” he explained. Schneider Electric’s loop distribution systems have been installed on Norwegian Cruise Line and Aida Cruise ships.
ABB is supplying a complete ship to shore (S2S) power system to the ropax ferry, SuperSpeed1. Operated by Color Line and built by Aker Finnyards, the vessel has already seen more than five years of operation between Kristiansand and Hitshals and will the third Color Line vessel to be equipped with the S2S system, following on from Color Magic and Color Fantasy. Engine emissions in port have come into greater focus in recent years and interest in cold ironing – taking power from an onshore supply – has increased considerably. With vessels requiring different powers and supply voltages, there are difficulties to be overcome but ABB has developed a range of solutions that can be applied to different vessel types. The S2S system enables equipment to be installed onboard to automatically control synchronisation of the shore power supply with ship power and allow a smooth changeover without loss of power to any of the onboard facilities. Transfer of power from ship generators to the onshore supply can be achieved in minutes, ABB reported. The scope of equipment includes the connection switchboard, an onboard transformer and low voltage receiving switchboard. In the SuperSpeed1, connection systems will be included to enable the high voltage onshore 11kV switchboard in Kristiansand, Norway to feed into the ferry’s low voltage 690 V system during its stay in port. The ABB system complies fully with IEC, ISO and IEEE standards. Using an onshore electrical power supply
means that local ship emissions of CO2, NOx and SOx are virtually eliminated. The practice also results in vessel fuel consumption being reduced significantly, providing cost savings to operators. This is particularly so in cases where ships generators would otherwise be working ›››
62 I Marine Propulsion I April/May 2014
The loop network consists of several substation/ring main units (RM6), voltage switch-disconnectors that ensure the closing and opening of the loop and circuit breakers and fuse-switch combinations that protect transformers and other electronics. The RM6 switchgear cubicles provide rapid cable connections, enabling the connection, supply and protection of transformers to an open ring network. Schneider Electric’s marine segment manager Jack Hawkins said the main benefit of the system is about speed of recovery after a short circuit. “The faster you can intervene, the best it is to save the equipment and have reliable and safe operations. The higher the short circuit level is, the more difficult it is to cut it.”
ABB ship-to-shore electrical power system connects in minutes
Complete onboard system including HV shore connection panel and cable drum
Another innovation from Schneider Electric is the ultra-fast breakers for low voltage systems. These enable vessels to sustain higher short-circuit current constraints, which means their power systems do not have to be increased to medium voltage levels. Mr Coste said this means shipowners do not have to employ dedicated crew on board these vessels to maintain the power distribution system. “We have added ultra-fast breakers that start to operate in less than 0.5ms and clear faults in less than 8ms. The peak fault current is limited by 40 per cent. We have sold this to offshore support vessel operators who have saved on their operating expenditures because of using the low voltage systems.”
Sub-station (incl. 50/60 Hz converter) Shoreside transformer kiosk
Power outlet 6,6 kv/1kv
HV underground cable (distance 1–5km)
ABB provides full ship-to-shore connection systems, which are integrated with the vessel's electrical power requirements (credit: ABB)
SuperSpeed1 will be the third Color Line vessel equipped with the ABB S2S system, following Color Magic and Color Fantasy (credit: ABB)
www.mpropulsion.com
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