Damen Shipyards Group has formally launched a absolutely electrical service operations vessel (SOV), 70 meters x 17 meters, with its offshore charging capabilities.
To obtain offshore charging, Damen has partnered with UK-based MJR Power & Automation – an organization that has beforehand developed an offshore charging system for a crew switch vessel.
The charging system makes use of the motion-compensated gangway to create a connection between the vessel and a turbine or substation offshore, in a lot the identical means a personnel switch is undertaken. Damen and MJR chosen the charging methodology to maximise security and effectivity. The gangway is managed from the wheelhouse, requiring no guide interplay with charging gear. It has the additional advantage of using pre-existing offshore infrastructure, thereby including appreciable cost-efficiency.
Charging is carried out whereas the vessel is in a low energy, so-called ‘green’ DP mode, requiring much less power than the lodge load. A full cost usually requires power produced in only a few hours by a single turbine.
The system is designed in keeping with worldwide acknowledged security requirements, together with IEC/IEEE 80005-1. Additionally, it’s about to acquire DNV Approval in Principle and is designed in accordance with forthcoming offshore charging requirements below collaborative growth by DNV UK and Norway.
MJR has developed a 4MW charger connector, adequate for the 70-metre vessel. The firm can be engaged on a scaled up 8MW model that may allow charging of vessels as much as 90 meters.
Paul Cairns MJR MD states, “The charging system is designed to be safe, convenient and reliable, with rapid connection and disconnection of the charge umbilical. From the outset of this project, the priority has been to ensure the safety of personnel and integrity of the vessel and offshore assets, under all conditions. Charging from an offshore asset represents optimal practicality, providing a means to reduce costs and emissions and optimize efficiency without placing personnel nor infrastructure in a potentially hazardous situation.”
Damen carried out a enterprise case evaluation that took into consideration many various parameters, together with funding value for chargers and batteries, alternative of batteries, power prices, value of CO 2, massive variations of operational profiles, and cost occasions. The enter parameters have been validated in shut cooperation with wind farm builders and different stakeholders. Many completely different eventualities have been analyzed, however all ranged between 5 and 15 years.
The SOV 7017 E encompasses a 15MWh battery, adequate to energy the vessel throughout a full day of operations. The battery is lithium iron phosphate (LFP) instead of the extra typical lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery sort. This is geared toward maximizing the vessel’s sustainable credentials. LFP batteries provide the benefit of being much less depending on delicate uncooked supplies, notably cobalt. LFP additionally affords improved security efficiency, being much less inclined to ignition and, within the occasion of ignition, being simpler to include.
If the vessel can not entry electrical energy for a brief interval, the SOV 7017 E options full redundancy and is ready to proceed operations with typical diesel propulsion.
The SOV 7017 E boasts Damen’s DPX-DRIVE format, that includes 4 azimuth thrusters offering propulsion independently in any route and providing significantly lowered underwater noise ranges.
The vessel has all of the space for storing, workshops, and deck house to undertake the broad scope of transportation and work anticipated of it. Its 60 cabins present comfy lodging for crew and as much as 40 technicians.
Mark Couwenberg, Damen Product Manager Service Operations Vessels, stated, “The product launch of the SOV 7017 E demonstrates that the technology is there to make offshore operations fully electric. The reduction in OPEX implied by harvesting energy directly from the offshore wind farm implies a business case for this model. We cannot do this alone, however. To make this a reality will require collaboration throughout the chain, with shipbuilder, vessel operator and wind farm developer working together in pursuit of mutual benefit. We’re looking forward to participating in such cooperations as we take this concept forward. Together, we can make our offshore energy production more sustainable.”
