Flexible, effecient, and cost-effective shore power that allows ships at berth to plug into the electrical grid and turn off their auxiliary diesel engines.
Shore Power Benefits
- No emissions
- No noise
- No vibration
- Lower fuel consumption
- Lower wear and tear
- Easier maintenance
PowerCon’s Shore Power
- Compact
- Reliable
- Cost-effective
- Fast lead times
- Flexible, scalable, modular
- Maximum return on investment
Also known as Onshore Power Supply (OPS), cold ironing, and shore-to-ship power to name a few terms, PowerCon pioneered the shore power industry with a modular approach. By integrating the electrical components into standard 20 ft. shipping containers, we pioneered the “building block” approach which allows us to put together the most flexible, compact, and scalable solution for any port.
The benefits of a containerized shore power system are many. Most importantly, the compact design minimizes the installation’s footprint, allowing better utilization of valuable real estate and port areas. Secondly, it allows us to pre-manufacture, pre-assemble, and pre-test our solutions in our factory instead of onsite. Thirdly, once onsite, the containerized design ensures easy and fast installation.
We build all our solutions according to the international standard for shore power (IEC/IEEE/ISO 80005) and are also a member of this standard committee. PowerCon supplies both high and low voltage shore power solutions and covers all vessel types, from the largest cruise ships to container ships to smaller fishing vessels and ferries as seen from some of our main references below.
Project Role
Although occasionally functioning as sub-contractor for the shore power equipment, PowerCon has done many projects as turn-key supplier, undertaking the whole scope and implementing complete end-to-end solutions. Such additional tasks beyond the shore power system and cable management solution (CMS) can include grid connection upgrades, civil works, and cabling, as well as any related services such as maintenance, remote support, and daily operations.
Specifically for CMS, which ensures the cable connection between shore and ship, we have worked with all main companies who specialize in these solutions. Among others, these include Cavotec, Stemman-Technik, Igus, Zinus, and Shore-Link. However, PowerCon has also developed its own CMS designs, underlining why PowerCon is the most experienced and flexible shore power provider today.
High Voltage Shore Power References
Bergen – Norway
The shore power installation in Bergen consists of 3 systems of 16MVA to connect cruise ships with an additional 2 MVA for low voltage shore power for OSVs and similar-sized vessels. Entering operations in 2022, all 27 containers making up the combined shore power system were integrated into the same new building. CMS boxes (above ground) and vehicle were sub-contracted from Zinus. Sub-sea cable implemented for needed power supply from the grid.
Rostock – Germany
Starting operations in 2021, this 2 x 16MVA installation can plug in 2 cruise ships at the same time. Each system consists of seven 20 ft. containers. All containers are placed in the same location with an architect-designed shrouding of Corten steel around to make the installation blend in with the rest of the cruise terminal. CMS boxes (above ground) and vehicle were sub-contracted from Stemmann-Technik.
Southampton – England
Entering operation in 2021, our 16MVA shore power installation in Southampton was the first to have underground cable trenches and connection boxes that we also looped together (daisy chained). As the installation covers 2 berths, the system can, via an operations kiosk (10 ft. container), switch the power depending on where the cruise ship is docked. CMS boxes and vehicles sub-contracted from Stemmann-Technik.
Low Voltage Shore Power References
Grenaa
Denmark
Båtsfjord
Norway
Skagen
Denmark
PowerFlex
Over the recent years, PowerCon has started supplying shore power solutions for container terminals. Launched by a pilot project named “PowerFlex”, we set out to design and implement low-cost and flexible shore power supply for container ships that included onboard battery charging in the system design.
Background
Container ships continue to rely on the highly pollutant marine fuel to operate, contributing an estimated 50-60% of all ship emissions. If the electricity for shore power comes from renewables, the technology can eliminates all CO2, air pollutants, noise, and vibration at the container terminals by allowing the ships to plug in while they are in port. However, with the additional possibility to charge onboard batteries, shore power can have an even more significant global CO2 mitigation potential.
Pushing the boundaries
PowerCon has over the years been a part of the successful implementation of various shore power systems, particularly for cruise ships, adding significant savings to the cruise ports. This made it obvious to offer the same savings to the container ship segment and expand the system capabilities to charge onboard batteries too, collectively named OPS-Charger. Therefore, the main objective of this project was to advance the technological and market readiness of a competitive shore power solution to supply electricity to container ships at berth charge onboard batteries. For 36 months, we matured, tested, and demonstrated the OPS-Charger in a real case scenarios.
Outcome
The main outcome of the project was a market ready solution suitable for container ports around the world with an attractive payback period. Market adoption is expected to contribute to:
1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, noise, and vibration from container ships at berth and at sea, thereby contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 14.
2) the circular economy.
3) the creation of high-value blue economy jobs.
Overall, the ambition of this project was to significantly impact the blue economy areas of “New facilities that support the diversification or energy efficiency of ports” and “Cleaner shipping”. The project was supported by a BlueInvest grant from the European Union.
Market adoption
A critical milestone was reached in 2021 when the Port of Kristiansand in Norway became the first adopter of this solution, integrating shore power into it broader port electrification strategy with the charging capability. More ports have since followed, and PowerCon sees an increased interest for shore power from container terminals around the world.
