Innovation: A state-of-the-art project is powering ships from shore

Innovation is key to the success of ABB’s Next Level strategy. In India, innovative technologies are being developed and deployed, supporting efforts to increase energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions.

In line with the Indian government’s Green Ports project, ABB in India commissioned the first shore-to-ship power supply for vessels docking at the V.O.Chidambaranar Port, formerly the Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu state. It allows ships docking at a port to plug into power on shore instead of running polluting diesel generators on board.

Energy and emissions savings are considerable. The Indian grid delivers power at a frequency of 50 Hz. So ships, most of which adhere to European standards of 60 Hz, have until recently depended on on-board diesel generators for power. Those generators produce 360 metric tons of carbon dioxide during a commercial vessel’s average docking time of 60 hours.

With ABB’s shore-to-ship power supply, they can turn off the onboard diesel engines that provide electricity for systems like heating, lighting and refrigeration, and reduce greenhouse gas and noise emissions in port. Approximately 1,350 ships dock at the port every year, transferring around 33 metric tons of goods.

The government’s Make in India program is likely to result in a large increase in port traffic at the country’s 12 major ports so the potential for further energy and carbon emission savings with shore-to-ship technology is vast.

ABB’s technology leadership is supported by the Group’s largest research and development center, established in Bengaluru in 2002, which develops technologies and a pipeline of innovative concepts for ABB’s global business.