Shore power system energy storage

What is a shore power facility?

Shore power facilities will generally form part of a wider port energy network including electric power for port assets and back-up power generators. Ports that have a high-power grid connection (or could upgrade their connection at reasonable cost) do have the option of supplying shore power directly from the grid.

How many ports have a shore power system?

Additionally, ports have seen an increase in the number of vessels that are equipped with shore power. There are currently ten ports using high voltage systems serving cruise, container and refrigerated (“reefer”) vessels, and many more ports that use low voltage systems, serving tugs, fishing, and offshore support vessels.

How does shore power work on a ship?

On the ship an incoming panel is placed in a confined room, where the operator connects the ship to shore power. The power is often via a transformer (if ship grid is low voltage) connected to the main switchboard. The Wärtsilä shore power control system and built in safety features ensures safe and seamless operation.

How can shore power help save fuel and reduce emissions?

This saves fuel and cuts harmful emissions. Shore power solutions from Wärtsilä help vessels save fuel and decrease their emissions because they can plug in to the onshore electricity grid when in port. Without shore power, the vessels would have to use auxiliary engines to generate power.

Is a vessel 'shore power ready'?

CAPEX costs are excluded from this study as it is assumed that the vessel is ‘Shore Power Ready’. For offshore construction vessels such as the Windfarmer, electricity and fuel-related costs dominate the operational expenditure (OPEX) profile during idle periods.

Do I need shore power?

Shore power is only necessary for situations where the vehicle is idling/at berth and would be able to connect to a stationary power source. This power source is often referred to as a “power pedestal”, and provides AC electricity to the vehicle.