- SeaFjord Energy’s innovative concept for e-bunker ships offers a new way to supply ships with energy both at sea and in port.
- ABB’s advanced electric power and propulsion systems, combined with an innovative charging solution, address one of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges: reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
- The vessel concept uses ABB Dynafin™ propulsion and the Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform for maximum operational efficiency – critical to optimizing on-board energy use.
ABB’s power and propulsion solution was chosen by SeaFjord Energy, a Swedish innovator in marine energy solutions, for a ground-breaking e-bunker ship concept that offers a new way to supply energy to ships at sea, in fjords or in ports.
The vessel concept, developed in collaboration with FKAB Marine Design and Bureau Veritas, a French company specialized in testing, inspection, and certification, will have a large battery pack capable of providing renewable energy in areas where traditional onshore power infrastructure is less available, such as remote fjords and offshore places.
The E-bunker ship can be charged via a shore connection or get energy from a wind farm using ABB’s charging system. ABB’s technology is intended to be used to charge other ships at sea, and the e-bunker is designed to deliver up to 50 megawatts of power to ships of various sizes, from small to large.
The vessel’s design benefits from two ABB Dynafin™ propulsion units to maximize propulsion efficiency and responsiveness in all operational situations. Maximum propulsion efficiency is essential for a concept of this kind as it minimizes the energy required to propel the ship, making more energy available to charge other ships.
ABB Dynafin™ propulsion, which combines the movement of wheels and blades, generates propulsion and steering forces simultaneously, enabling ground-breaking operational efficiency and precision for ships. In addition, operations are seamlessly integrated with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform, improving overall vessel performance.
Onboard DC Grid™ is a modular and highly adaptable power system platform that enables simple, flexible, and functional integration of energy sources and loads. Its versatility is well suited to meet the operational requirements of the e-bunker.
PEMS™ is the core of the ship’s combined power and control system, ensuring optimal use of the ship’s total power resources in a safe, energy-efficient, and sustainable manner. ABB’s solution optimizes energy use and flow on board and to the ships that bunker from it.
“ABB is delighted to collaborate on this ground-breaking design. Our electric power and propulsion system enables maximum efficiency for both transmission and propulsion, which means that the bunker customers can use a greater proportion of the transported energy,” says Marcus Högblom, head of the passenger segment at ABB Marine & Ports.
“This is the world’s first e-bunker ship that will supply ships with electric power in fjords, harbors, and offshore. This development is an important step towards a more sustainable shipping sector,” says Elias Magnusson, COO of SeaFjord Energy.
“We are pleased to be able to support the development of this innovative e-bunker vessel that promotes sustainable maritime solutions while maintaining high safety and environmental standards,” said Herman Spilker, Vice President of North Europe Zone, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.
“FKAB is happy and grateful to be part of this e-bunker design, and we were asked by Seafjord Energy to participate from day one in developing their idea together. This project is the first of its kind and completely in line with the innovative projects FKAB wants to participate in,” says Andreas Hagberg, Head of Sales and Marketing, FKAB Marine Design.
ABB’s Process Automation business area automates, electrifies, and digitizes industrial operations for many different types of essential needs – from providing energy, water, and materials to manufacturing goods and transporting them to market. ABB Process Automation has approximately 20,000 employees and leading technology and service experts who help customers in the process, hybrid, and marine industries improve performance and safe operations that enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
ABB is a leader in electrification and automation technology, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, operated and controlled. Based on more than 140 years of expertise, ABB’s more than 105,000 employees drive new innovations that accelerate the industrial transition. www.abb.com
To note: This is a Swedish translation of ABB’s English press release dated September 4, 2024, which can be read at abb.com/news. If questions of interpretation arise, the English press release applies.
Source: ABB
