North Sea Giant to be fitted with energy storage "world's first"

Finnish power firm Wärtsilä is to retrofit an energy storage solution on to Norwegian North Sea Shipping's North Sea Giant offshore construction vessel in what's being described as a world's first.

The energy storage system will reduce the DP3 vessel’s energy consumption, operating costs and exhaust emissions, says Wärtsilä.

Typically, a vessel with dynamic positioning uses two or more engines simultaneously to secure back-up power. This means that the engines’ load run low. By using a hybrid/battery system to provide the needed back-up power, the operational engine can be used closer to its optimal load.

In addition to the hybrid/battery solution, the agreement signed in August 2017 includes transformers, filters, switchboard, shore connection equipment, upgrades of existing components and commissioning.

“In addition, with a more efficient vessel, we will save fuel expenses. The estimated reduction in emissions is 5.5 million kg CO2, 30 tons of NOx and 1,200 kg SOx per year. After Wärtsilä had retrofitted our ship Atlantic Guardian in 2014, we really understood how much fuel can be saved by improving the vessel’s efficiency. Efficiency also saves time, because you only need to refuel every second or third port visit,” says CEO Hallvard Klepsvik, North Sea Shipping.

Wärtsilä says that installation of an energy storage solution into a class DP3 vessel has never been carried out before and requires a redefinition of applicable classification rules. Therefore Wärtsilä and North Sea Shipping are working in close collaboration with the DNV-GL classification society.

“We are the first in the world to work with hybrid systems on bigger vessels such as the DP3 classified North Sea Giant, and the project will set a new standard for this type of vessels,” says Cato Esperø, Director Sales Norway, Wärtsilä.