Conversion Technologies News

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported in September that the number of member cruise line ships with the ability to use shore power has nearly doubled since 2018.Today, 166 ships are able to plug in at port, a 12% increase from the prior year. These ships represent 58% of the fleet and 65% of capacity.By 2036, 273 ships that can connect are expected to be in service.As part of the EU’s Fit for 55 decarbonization regulations, by 2030 major ports in Europe will be required to have shore power…

Italian oil group Eni is joining forces with shipbuilder Fincantieri, power grid group Terna and state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) to develop wave power stations.The agreement, which follows the understanding signed last 19 April, will launch the first phase of a joint project to convert the Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter (ISWEC) pilot project, an innovative system that transforms energy generated by waves into electricity, into an industrial scale power station, making its application and use immediately available.The partnership agreement will focus on two phases: during the first phase, the companies will develop a business model and define a deployment plan for Italy.

China’s Dongfang Electric Corp. (DEC) has unveiled  what it claims will be the country’s first 10MW offshore wind turbine after successfully developing a direct-drive permanent-magnet generator (PMG) for the super-sized machine.The company reported that it underwent testing and is now ready for commercial operations.The new generator is by far the largest of its kind in the country in terms of rotor diameter and unit capacity, according to its developer, Dongfang Electric Corporation.Based on the working conditions in Chinese waters, permanent magnet direct drive and full power conversion technologies were used to achieve active typhoon-resistant performance.The successful delivery of the generator indicates the R&D and manufacturing capabilities of high-power offshore wind turbines…

Simec Atlantis Energy is set to team up with General Electric (GE) to develop the world's largest tidal stream turbine.According to a press release from Simec, its Atlantis Turbine and Engineering Services (ATES) division will enter into a Technology Partnership and Preferred Supplier Agreement (TPPSA) with GE’s Power Conversion business (GE).Under the terms of the partnership agreement, both parties will work together and share resources for the ongoing development of utility scale tidal energy generation and associated energy storage solutions. They will also engage in joint marketing activities to promote their innovative new subsea connection technologies and the wider benefits of cleaner…

Stephen Horvath, a first class cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, was recently granted a two-year Fulbright Scholarship to study renewable energy technologies in Finland during the 2015-2016 academic year and the 2016-2017 academic year. Horvath, 21, will pursue a master’s degree at the Lappeenranta University of Technology in Lappeenranta, Finland. The mechanical engineering major plans to conduct a research project on methods for energy storage. Horvath’s research project will examine the conversion technologies used to store energy created from wind turbines and solar cells.

Growing Italian engineering, testing, inspection, certification and ship classification group RINA has bought the major shareholding in Italy’s leading center for innovation in materials technology, CSM. According to RINA, the move strengthens its expertise in specialized steel processes and products, especially for the energy sector and in innovative waste to energy conversion technologies. RINA CEO Ugo Salerno said, “Bringing CSM into RINA is part of our long-term growth strategy of developing and widening our specialist competence. CSM CEO Mauro Pontremoli said, “Joining RINA gives us the financial platform and market outreach we need to deliver our skills and knowledge globally.