Electrical Power Systems News

Green Ships Invest has signed a contract to purchase of Amogy’s carbon-free ammonia-to-electrical power systems for a fleet of new environmentally friendly platform supply vessels (PSV). Green Ships, which is designing/procuring so-called ePSVs (electrical PSVs), had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Amogy in October 2023.Under the newly signed contract, Green Ships Invest will design the ePSV to be equipped with 2 megawatts (MW) of clean energy capacity through the integration of ten of Amogy’s pioneering 200 kilowatt (kW) ammonia-to-electrical power systems.

Sanmar Shipyards delivered its first battery electric tug to ABS class for Canada-based HaiSea Marine, a joint venture partnership between the Haisla First Nation and Seaspan ULC.The HAISEA WAMIS harbor tug, the first in its ElectRA 2800SX series, will be part of a fleet of harbor and escort tugs providing services to LNG Canada’s future terminal in British Columbia and is equipped with two steerable, fixed pitch (FP), azimuthing, L-drive propulsion units powered by electric motors integrated on top of each unit.

A new project, FLO-MAR, has attracted funding from MarRI-UK’s Clean Maritime Call to assess the feasibility of using flow batteries in vessels to enable zero-emission marine propulsion and auxiliary power. Four UK organizations will work together on the project to investigate how the design of electric and hybrid ships, from ferries through to tugs and wind farm vessels, can be optimized to accommodate flow batteries and to assess the advantages this technology offers in comparison with existing lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel-cells.

ABS has been selected to class two Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) being retrofitted with a battery/converter system by Harvey Gulf International Marine.The Harvey Energy will become the first ABS-classed dual fuel and battery vessel and the first U.S. flagged OSV equipped with a battery/converter system. The Harvey Supporter will become the second vessel in the Harvey Gulf fleet to have a battery power system.The battery installation, which is expected to achieve the ABS class notation ESS-LiBATTERY…

AVEVA and ETAP have signed a partnership agreement under which both companies will jointly develop a software interface between AVEVA Electrical and ETAP’s enterprise solution for electrical power systems. The new interface will provide for the first time electrical engineers with a single round-tripping environment for complete data validation from design and network validation to 3D visualization. The interface will deliver capabilities for efficient design, development and production for the most complex electrical installations in all types of process and power plants…

AVEVA today announced that it is collaborating with ETAP to create a complementary interface between AVEVA Electrical and ETAP’s enterprise solution for electrical power systems. The new interface will deliver industry-leading capability for the efficient design, development and production of the most complex electrical installations in all types of process and power plants, ships and offshore facilities. Plant contractors and shipbuilders will gain increased productivity, while…

Ships are becoming increasingly dependent on complex electronic equipment and electrical power systems, with incidence of engine failure and blackouts increasing. Safety and reliability are paramount, as will be discussed and debated at a new conference taking place in early October. With just over a week before the inaugural Marine Electrical and Control Systems Safety Conference (MECSS 2013) organized by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) opens in Amsterdam, speakers from Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, U.K. and U.S.

Commercial and military users of electric propulsion systems have experienced failures of the variable frequency drive (VFD) and harmonic filter (HF) systems because the system design, including the VFD, did not have adequate self-monitoring and protection. On a ship, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) can be used to control the speed and direction of rotational motors, such as pumps, propellers and azipod systems. In some cases, these failures have resulted in catastrophic equipment failures causing arcing, fire and explosions of capacitors. In September of 2010, the Cunard Carnival cruise ship RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2) was underway in the Mediterranean when an explosion occurred in the aft main switchboard room resulting from the failure of one of 12 capacitors in a harmonic filter…

ABB recently won an order worth $80 million from Samsung Heavy Industries to supply energy efficient drives, motors and electrical power systems for five drilling vessels and two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be built at Samsung’s shipyard in Korea. The vessels will be used to extract, process and transport oil and gas. The order was booked in the second quarter of 2012. Samsung Heavy Industries, a branch of the giant South-Korean holding, focuses its shipyard business on a wide range of large vessel types, including LNG carriers, drill ships and semi-submersible drilling rigs.

ABB's order, worth $80 million from Samsung Heavy Industries, is to supply energy efficient drives, motors and electrical power systems for five drilling vessels and two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be built at Samsung’s shipyard in Korea. The vessels will be used to extract, process and transport oil and gas. Samsung is building five drill ships (three for Seadrill Ltd. in Norway, one for Pacific Drilling S.A in Brazil and one for Ensco Plc in the UK) and two LNG carrier vessels for Golar LNG Ltd in the UK. The vessels will be used for oil and gas exploration and the transportation of liquefied natural gas. ABB will deliver the complete electrical system for the seven vessels…

USMMA Master of Marine Engineering Program Completes its 6th Year. The United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Master of Science in Marine Engineering (MMarE) program is moving ahead and is currently completing its 6th year of operation. In addition, the MMarE program, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, was recently ranked 12th in “Student Engagement & Accreditation” in the U.S. News 2012 Top Online Education Program Rankings for Graduate Programs in Engineering.

ABB wins $18 million order for subsea pipeline construction vessels. Zurich, Switzerland, May 16, 2012 -- ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently won an order worth $18 million from Daewoo to supply energy efficient propulsion and electrical power systems for two new deep sea pipeline installation vessels that will build oil transport infrastructure off the coast of Brazil. The order was booked in the first quarter. South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) will build the vessels.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is updating the IEEE 45 standard for electrical installations on ships. This is a big undertaking because so much has changed with new power systems on ships, from the cruise industry to integrated electric propulsion systems on warships. “With new voltages, power distribution systems and casualty power arrangements, the standard really needs a refresh,” says Moni Islam, an electrical engineer who is chairing the IEEE committee reviewing and revising the standard. Islam is asking qualified electrical engineers, to include maritime experience if possible, to contact him. He is inviting any and all interested parties…

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s Master of Marine Engineering (MMarE) degree program, a distance-learning master’s program, begins its third year this September with a wide range of course offerings. The MMarE program offers a unique opportunity for practicing marine engineering professionals to advance their technical education and careers while continuing in their current capacities. The MMarE courses focus on the application of advanced technical concepts and skills. Real-world problems are addressed, as well as the challenges facing designers, builders and operators of vessels and marine structures, and those involved in the design and manufacture of shipboard components. The MMarE’s fall semester begins on September 8, 2008 and runs through December 19.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was awarded a contract by the U.S. power systems engineering and technical services work. AMSEC LLC, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector and full-service provider of engineering, logistics and technical support services, is the prime contractor for the work. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, valued at $3.5m, includes four option years. power systems aboard various Navy ships in support of the electrical power systems branch of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Philadelphia. Work will commence in October 2007 and be performed in various locations, including but not limited to Norfolk, Va., San Diego, Mayport, Fla., and Bremerton and Everett, Wash.

Representatives from Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) presented testimony on the Integrated Deepwater System program before the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and Dr. Leo Mackay, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Coast Guard Systems, highlighted ICGS' commitment to the Coast Guard and its continued support of the service's evolving post-9/11 mission requirements. Renewal of the service contract for the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) based in Jacksonville, Fla., for a fifth year. These eight MH-68A helicopters are equipped with airborne use of force and have had a significant impact on illicit drug interdictions.

ABB has been awarded contracts worth $110 million to supply electrical power systems for twelve vessels and five offshore drilling rigs. • Total electrical power system packages for two semi-submersible drilling rigs for subsidiaries of Jon Fredriksen controlled SeaDrill Ltd (Subsea Drilling (III) Ltd and Subsea Drilling (IV) Ltd). The rigs will be built at South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, based on a GVA 7500 design with the first rig delivery in early 2008. • Total electrical power system package for one semi-submersible drilling rig for PetroRig I Pte Ltd/PetroMena ASA under management by Larsen Oil & Gas.

ABB has been awarded contracts worth $140 million to supply its Azipod® propulsion systems for three vessels and electrical power systems for 11 vessels and two semi-submersible drilling rigs. Six 10 Megawatt (MW) Azipod propulsion units for three Arctic shuttle tankers being built for Russia’s Sovcomflot at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea for delivery between 2007-2009. The order also includes main generators, main switchboards, propulsion transformers, propulsion drives and propulsion and remote control systems from ABB. One drilling vessel for Norway’s Mosvold Drilling, also to be built at Samsung Korea. The ABB scope includes generators, thruster motors, main switchboards and transformers.

ABB won contracts worth $140 million to supply its Azipod propulsion systems for three vessels and electrical power systems for 11 vessels and two semi-submersible drilling rigs. • Six 10 Megawatt (MW) Azipod propulsion units for three Arctic shuttle tankers being built for Russia’s Sovcomflot at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea for delivery between 2007-2009. The order also includes main generators, main switchboards, propulsion transformers, propulsion drives and propulsion and remote control systems from ABB. • A contract to outfit three vessels at Aker Langsten shipyard in Norway. These include electrical propulsion systems for one well intervention vessel and one anchor handling…

A&P Tyne has been awarded the contract for the Life Extension of Technip-Coflexip’s 9,158grt multi purpose dive support vessel CSO Wellservicer. The vessel is due to arrive on Tyneside during mid-November for a dry docking period, expected to last for 100 days. Work will include main deck steel work renewal, major upgrade on electrical power systems, full underwater hull coating renewal, tank blasting coating renewal, and replacement of ships main power generation units. Fred Newman, Managing Director of A&P Tyne said, “the award of this contract further demonstrates our customers increasing confidence in our ability to successfully complete contracts of this magnitude”.