ALTERNATIVE MARITIME POWER SOLUTIONS
Cold Ironing
Cold Ironing is the technology that enables the vessel to shut down its auxiliary engines and get connected to the mainland’s high-voltage power grid. The vessel is connected to shore through the Cable Management System. The vessel’s crew rolls out the cable and the high-voltage plug-ins are inserted into the sockets that exist at berth. A power connection is established and the required power according to the vessel’s specifications is provided from shore to the vessel’s main switchboard. The system includes a power transformer that transforms high to low voltage and all the required switchgear to protect the vessel’s crew and equipment. The operation is controlled and monitored by the Shore Connection Main Control Panel. Power changeover supports shore-to-vessel synchronisation to avoid black out upon the connection. The system can also be integrated to a vessel’s AMS or/and PMS.
Defining a vessel's operational sustainability
ERMA FIRST’s BLUE CONNECT system is a revolutionary high-voltage shore power solution suitable for both retrofit and newbuild installations. The system is available as containerised or stand-alone version. While standard models currently cater to Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax and Pure Passenger ferries as well as container ships and tankers, the system can be tailored to the needs of other vessel types.
Based on vessel requirements, BLUE CONNECT is designed in four configurations: low-voltage fixed connection, low-voltage portable connection, high-voltage fixed connection and high-voltage portable connection. The low-voltage options are designed for ships with an onboard power distribution of 440 V/60 Hz, while the high-voltage versions serve vessels with a power distribution of 11 or 6.6 kV/60 Hz. The fixed systems are suitable for ships requiring connection from one side only and involve permanent connection to the main switchboard. The portable system configuration is enabling plug-in connection at port or starboard side of the vessel.
Cable Management System (CMS) Designation
BLUE CONNECT includes a cable management system (CMS) for connecting the vessel to shore, a power transformer to convert high voltage to low voltage and the necessary switchgear to protect crew and equipment. Operation is controlled and monitored by the shore-connection main control panel, while power changeover supports shore-to-vessel synchronisation to ensure uninterruptible power supply upon connection. The solution can also be integrated into vessel’s alarm-monitoring and/or power-management system.
Operation
ERMA FIRST BLUE CONNECT is a shore power solution designed and offered by ERMA FIRST, enabling vessel’s to be connected to a port’s electrical grid to power onboard services, systems and equipment. This enables ships’ diesel generators to be switched off with a resultant reduction in noise and emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon oxides and volatile organic compounds. Vessels with power demands higher than 1MVA must establish high-voltage connections (6,6kV or 11kV) with the mainland’s power grid, implementing suitable equipment according to international regulations and ports requirements.
BLUE CONNECT is available for: RoRo/RoPax, Passenger Ferries, Containers and Tankers.
* Product range depicted above is design specifically for containers vessels
Cold Ironing
Cold Ironing is the technology that enables the vessel to shut down its auxiliary engines and get connected to the mainland’s high-voltage power grid. The vessel is connected to shore through the Cable Management System. The vessel’s crew rolls out the cable and the high-voltage plug-ins are inserted into the sockets that exist at berth. A power connection is established and the required power according to the vessel’s specifications is provided from shore to the vessel’s main switchboard. The system includes a power transformer that transforms high to low voltage and all the required switchgear to protect the vessel's crew and equipment. The operation is controlled and monitored by the Shore Connection Main Control Panel. Power changeover supports shore-to-vessel synchronisation to avoid black out upon the connection. The system can also be integrated to a vessel’s AMS or/and PMS.