Hybrid battery system cuts offshore construction vessel fuel consumption
Wärtsilä has installed three energy storage systems onboard an offshore construction vessel to provide energy and load sharing capability.
The delivery combines a diesel-electric configuration with batteries and should cut the vessel’s consumption of two million litres by up to 50%, depending on optimal operating conditions.
The installation was performed in February 2018 on the North Sea Shipping-owned North Sea Giant.
During the second phase of the project, Wärtsilä commissioned an electronic bus link, a newly developed module which allows the vessel to share load and energy optimally between the three energy storage systems.
Wärtsilä expects an annual reduction in exhaust emissions of 5.5 million kg of carbon dioxide, 30 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 1,200 kg of sulphur oxides.
The three energy storage systems reduce load fluctuations on the ship’s diesel generators. Typically, vessels with dynamic positioning require two or more engines operating simultaneously at low load to secure back-up power.
Use of the Wärtsilä hybrid battery system is said to provide the requisite reserve power, allowing the operational engine can be run closer to its optimal load point.
Sindre Utne, General Manager, Wärtsilä Project Centre, Norway, said the benefits provided by the technology include reduced maintenance. “In addition, it promotes more efficient and safer operations for the ship.”
“The project has been driven by our focus on reducing the environmental impact of offshore oil-related operations in the North Sea,” added Hallvard Klepsvik, CEO of North Sea Shipping.
“Seabed installations are increasingly moving further north into very sensitive environmental areas, which makes this system extremely relevant.”
Source: Offshore Magazine