Wednesday 11 September 2024

Offshore charging solutions hit the market

Following successful in-port and offshore prototype testing, Norwegian lifting and handling specialist Seaonics is on track to commercialise its offshore charging solution for electric service operation vessels (SOV).

The Ocean Charger solution uses an industry-standard connector plug and power levels for both, offshore charging and in port.

The product can be fitted to any structure and vessel and the power integrated with the vessel switchboard and the chosen charging voltage.

Bjørnar Huse, Sales Manager, Offshore Energy at Seaonics said: 'The prototype worked using a standard vessel and crane. The plug is an industry standard used for shore charging cruise ships. Tying known technology together made it easier to get to a prototype in a relatively short time. We didn't have to invent a lot of new components unlike some competitors using a bespoke plug.'

A large, 60-person SOV that consumes 20 to 25MW hours per day could potentially be charged for a full days operation in three to four hours at 6MW.

This will help shipbuilders charge vessels offshore in a cost-effective way and wind farm owners to move away from expensive floating buoys and charge points on substations.

'Mr Huse added: 'Connecting vessels to the power grid in the wind farm and charging batteries regularly is a big step towards increasing sustainable operations without using any additional energy sources.

'It saves the time and energy needed to return to port to charge, while the operating cost of electric SOVs versus diesel and alternative fuels is much lower, because both the energy is cheaper and you reduce engine maintenance demands. You still need diesels for back-up power, but quite a lot smaller than for a full diesel operation, with lower Capex'