Finland’s aquatic innovation firm Wärtsilä stated Tuesday it had actually retrofitted an inline shaft generator system on the ‘Berge Toubkal’, a cape-size mass provider possessed by Singapore- based Berge Bulk, in what it stated was a market initially.
“This is the marine industry’s first-ever shaft generator retrofit, and its successful completion will improve the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) while reducing overall carbon footprint,” Wärtsilä stated.
“Shaft generator systems onboard ships are driven by the main engine to supply power to the mains, thus saving fuel and emissions. They are sized to eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea. While such systems, also referred to as Power Take-Off (PTO) systems, are today’s standard installations on newbuild vessels, large inline versions with the generator sitting directly on the propeller shaft and turning at 50 to 100 rpm have never before been retrofitted,” the firm discussed.
“Berge Bulk made an industry commitment to go carbon neutral well before the IMO’s plan, and we are installing now the latest fuel-saving technologies, like shaft generators, air lubrication, or wind propulsion on our vessels,” states Paolo Tonon, Berge Bulk’s Technical Director, “Wärtsilä has a proven track record and is one of the market leaders in shaft generator systems and electrical integration.”
According to Wärtsilä, the retrofitted shaft generator will certainly likewise supply power to an air lubrication system mounted at the exact same time. The system consists of a Wärtsilä control system, along with a converter to permit the generator to run over a wide period of rpm. The existing intermediate shaft and also bearings were changed to fit the boosted weight.
