Magnet Technology News

30 years ago shaft generators with PTI capability kept container ships sailing at top speed. That purpose gone, PTI/PTO is making a new comeback in more cargo shipping segments, this time for reducing emissions.Retrofitting a shaft generator is not an insignificant undertaking. Around 50 tons of equipment needs to be installed into the engineroom through a hole in the hull. A new section of shaft is usually required.That a few shipowners are undertaking such projects - Klaveness Combination Carriers on the Ballard…

ABB has secured a contract with the Chinese shipyard COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., to equip 10 China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited container vessels with its permanent magnet shaft generator systems. Due for delivery by the end of 2025, the order comprises systems for six 14000TEU vessels and four 16000TEU vessels."The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is introducing new regulatory standards – the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – which will come into force in January 2023.

ABB will deliver the shaft generator system with permanent magnet technology for the first dedicated CO2-storage vessels ever to be built. The vessels will be constructed by the Chinese shipbuilder Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC).Due for delivery in 2024, the two vessels will support the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project by transporting greenhouse gas from industrial emitters to an onshore terminal in Øygarden, Norway. From there, the CO2 will be delivered by pipeline to dedicated reservoirs 2…

The latest in-line shaft generator from ABB is designed to enable ship operators to benefit from the multiple advantages of permanent magnet technology. The new generator brings flexibility and ease of installation to a wide range of vessels including bulk carriers, container carriers, liquid natural gas tankers and ferries transporting passengers and cars.The AMZ 1400 permanent magnet shaft generator is optimized for converter control and enables better efficiency than either induction or electrically excited synchronous machines at both full and partial loading.

ABB will deliver an equipment package for Himalaya Shipping's ultra-large bulk carriers that will feature innovative shaft generators with a Power-Take-Off (PTO) solution, comprising new drive systems and permanent magnet technology.The equipment will improve the energy efficiency of the ultra-large bulk carriers by up to four percent while enhancing operational flexibility, and save about 20 percent of space on board compared to a conventional solution.ABB will deliver an integrated scope of solutions with permanent magnet shaft generators at its core for twelve 210…

Danfoss Editron, a company specializes in hybrid and electric powertrain systems for off-highway and marine markets, said that it has provided the hybrid electric drivetrain system powering a new ferry connecting the communities of Thyborøn and Agger in north west Denmark.The ferry, which was delivered by the country’s Søby Værft shipyard, was ordered to replace the previous one that had been running for over 40 years and reached the end of its operational lifetime.Like most ferries in Denmark, the Thyborøn-Agger service operates over a relatively short distance, with an approximate crossing time of just 12 minutes. Because of this short journey time…

Rolls-Royce has launched a new range of smaller, more compact podded propulsion systems: the ELegance pods – one with an open propeller, the other ducted.Per Nahnfeldt, General Manager Product – Electric Propulsion, Rolls-Royce, said, “For many years we have recognized the gap in the propulsion market for smaller pods, including ice-class, in the 1.5MW to 7MW power range. These new pods – based on our Permanent Magnet technology – complement our broad product portfolio and sit well with our range of frequency drives and electrical systems.

Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam pressed the button to officially kick off the construction of hybrid expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen – “the greenest cruise ship the world has ever seen,” according to the ship owner. The new ship is the first of a new generation that will change expedition travel forever, Skjeldam said during the ceremony at Kleven Yards on the western coast of Norway. When launched in 2018, MS Roald Amundsen will be the world’s first expedition cruise ship powered by hybrid battery technology.

DNV GL has assessed the market’s new offshore turbine in development and awarded Siemens Wind Power with the Prototype Certificate for its 8 megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine SWT-8.0-154. The prototype certification confirms all relevant safety features on the turbine according to the Danish Executive Order BEK 73:2013 and IEC 61400-22, allowing installation of the prototype to demonstrate its performance. By erecting the turbine at the test centre for wind turbines in Østerild, Denmark, Siemens is able to perform the measurement campaign for the next phase of the type certification process which is crucial to bring the turbine to the market. “We are proud to have received the prototype certificate at this early stage, allowing us to install our SWT-8.0-154 prototype according to plan.

Norwegian explorer cruise line Hurtigruten is to build two new expedition ships using a new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology from Rolls-Royce making fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship possible. The Rolls-Royce designed MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, about to be constructed at Kleven Yard in Norway, will be packed with innovative Rolls-Royce technology. In addition to the hybrid power solution, the vessels will have the latest automation and control systems…

The Switch, a technology specialist of advanced drive trains, announced its acquisition of Wärtsilä’s marine drives business that encompasses specialized megawatt-class power drives targeting marine applications. The Yaskawa-backed investment gives The Switch a stronger foothold in its growing marine business area. Together, The Switch and the Norway-based marine drives business aim to benefit from a number of inherent added-value synergies, including a stronger machine and drive package offering, a broader product range and a wider market access. As part of the deal, The Switch will gain part of Wärtsilä’s Electrical & Automation (E&A) business line’s test center and the manufacturing facilities in Stord, Norway, that are associated with its marine drives.

The Switch, a specialist of megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) machines for advanced marine drive trains, has been selected to deliver its PM shaft generator for an LNG carrier with a 45,000 cubic meter cargo capacity, allowing the vessel to gain greater efficiency over its entire speed range. This order is part of a complete energy efficiency system being delivered by WE Tech Solutions (WE Tech) of Finland to Saga LNG Shipping Pte. Ltd. The vessel will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. Earlier this year, The Switch received a PM shaft generator order with an option of one more from the energy-efficient solution provider WE Tech for an LNG carrier owned by Saga LNG Shipping Pte. Ltd. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in October 2016.

Norwegian Cruise Line has selected a Rolls-Royce permanent magnet tunnel thruster to upgrade the propulsion package onboard cruise vessel Norwegian Epic. According to Rolls-Royce, the permanent magnet tunnel thruster offers numerous advantages over traditional tunnel thrusters including reduction in noise and vibration, an increase in power output of around 25% from the same size propeller, and is removable underwater eliminating the need for dry docking. The permanent magnet tunnel thruster design concept comprises a permanent magnet motor in a rim, which drives the propeller in the centre.

The Switch, a specialist of megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) machines and frequency converter packages for advanced wind and marine drive trains, has successfully tested its PM shaft generator in a rigorous bench test in Vaasa. The first pair in an order of four PM shaft generators is part of a complete system being delivered by WE Tech Solutions of Finland to Wallenius Lines of Sweden. The PMM 1000 direct-drive marine shaft generator certified by Lloyds marks the first of its kind to take advantage of PM technology, allowing ships to gain greater efficiency over the entire speed range. During the end of November in Vaasa, Finland, the first two of four PM shaft generators successfully passed the rigorous back-to-back bench test.

Multipurpose vessels, especially those that operate primarily at part loads, have been facing pressure when it comes to making money in today’s business environment. Returning to times of big profit margins will not happen soon without finding a radically different approach. Using permanent magnet technology for electric propulsion systems is a bold and proven way to save ship owners money due to lower fuel costs, less maintenance and fewer failures. As cost pressures mount and environmental regulations become more stringent, the need for a novel and smarter approach is ever more apparent.

The Switch, a supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generators, motors and frequency converters, received an order from WE Tech Solutions Oy of Vaasa, Finland for four permanent magnet (PM) shaft generators. Coupled together with WE Tech’s WE Drive, these PM shaft generators represent game-changing technology for merchant ships to allow them to significantly cut back on operating costs when powering their onboard electric networks. The deliveries will start later this year.

The Switch, a leading supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) generators, motors and frequency converters, say they have signed an agreement for the delivery of four direct-drive 1.5 MW PM shaft generators to WE Tech Solutions Oy of Vaasa, Finland, who will couple them their WE Drive system for marine use. According to the manufacturers, the order strengthens the position of The Switch as it uses its proven track record of applying PM generator technology successfully in the wind power industry now to a range of marine applications.

By Stuart C. Karon and Dr. In the September 2002 issue of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, a detailed discussion was featured on the advantages of future High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) machinery for propulsion of electric drive ships. • Motors A 5-MW 230-rpm machine for the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) is undergoing factory tests. ONR is now funding the next step - design, fabrication and factory testing of a 36.5-MW 120-rpm machine to prove the technology at full-scale for warships. • Generators Development of HTS generators has also leapt ahead with the initial production of 10-MVAR synchronous condensers for utility voltage adjusting service. These condensers are very similar in design and operation to 10-MW, 1,800-rpm generators.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defense, Senator the Hon. Sandy Macdonald, recently unveiled a new class of highly advanced sea mine sweeping technology being developed by Australia's Defense Science and Technology Organization (DSTO). During a visit to DSTO Sydney, Senator Macdonald witnessed a demonstration of the new technology. The new system is based around high temperature superconducting magnet technology and represents a leap forward in magnetic mine sweeping. Australia is believed to be the only country in the world currently investigating the application of high temperature superconductors to sea mine warfare. Minesweepers are vital for keeping sea-lanes safe for naval and commercial shipping. Australia is already a leading exporter of mine sweeping equipment.

21st Century Technologies Inc. has announced that a new product, the Sea Patch, has completed extensive testing by a major oil company. This system, patented by Los Alamos National Laboratory, utilizes a magnet technology designed to stop leaks in hulls of ships, promoting environmental responsibility in the maritime industry. After weeks of extensive testing, the sea patch has outperformed all previous expectations. It was tested against a variety of surfaces, including scale, welds and uneven plates. With each purchase of a sea patch, an aluminum sealed carrying case will be provided to prevent any possible long-term UV degradation of gasket material. Trident Technologies Corp. will be attending the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Conference Sept.