PLUG into NG2 Shore Power
NG2, "New Generation, Natural Gas" offers the cleanest, safest and most cost effective shore power solution
As a result of the never-ending search to end pollution, many cruise ports are allowing ships to “plug in” to shoreside power while docked, instead of running their diesel engines. In January 2011, the Port of Los Angeles became the latest U.S. homeport to offer the clean-air technology that allows ships to plug in to the local power grid. The Brooklyn Red Hook Cruise Terminal will be the first on the East Coast to adopt the clean technology option for cruise ships starting this year.
Other ports that offer this environmentally-friendly technology include Juneau, Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Although shore power is one solution to the shipping industry’s constant battle with emissions regulations, it lacks in the financial aspect. While facing this challenging economy, innovation for any product and industry is crucial.
Recently, the United States has been introduced to the NG² PLUG – a product that has been branded as the shore power solution which makes money. With options for fitting container carriers and cruise ships among other vessels, the PLUG allows connection from the first to the last minute at berth as it has an automated connection from the ship to the portside, instead of a manual connection.
Concept behind PLUG
Current systems in place that make shoreside power possible have the same emissions benefits, but with the PLUG connection, the human error and risk factor is eliminated. It also establishes a connection from ship to port in a matter of seconds, while current systems have been documented at taking 45 minutes to both connect and disconnect, lessening the time of the power charge, says Damien Féger - NG2’s CEO and Founder.
Check out a real-time video of the PLUG in action:
PLUG also increases, by typically 10%, the emissions reduction of a given ship, allowing them to meet fleet emission level requirements with a reduced number of ships equipped with shore power systems. PLUG meets most container carrier’s power requirements with a single 8 MVA unit, reducing onboard cost and footprint, while manual solutions require two or three units. Only large container ships will require a second PLUG unit. This can ultimately save one vessel up to $200,000 alone.
"PLUG proves to provide 10% emissions reduction per every 10 ships, saving ship-owners over $10 million euros."
In terms of personnel and labor costs, the PLUG has been made to be straight-forward and simple, requiring only minutes of training. Where manual solutions require 3-5 ship and quay side personnel, PLUG doesn’t need any. A successful connection only requires the main power switchboard, saving $40,000 per ship. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the crew's view below:
Surprisingly, PLUG also optimizes on the amount of resources used. By keeping power cables used for the physical connection on the quay side and allowing for shorter routing, the required amount of copper is lessened, reducing the copper mass amount by $15,000 per ship. The product is also embedded directly into the ship’s structure for added protection and support.
While manual connectors for shore power exposes laborers to risk of injury, even death, PLUG operations do the opposite. The ‘press button’ operation avoids bodily injuries and other hazards, without the handling of connecters and cables. The expected insurance savings based on that information is approximately $200 per call. The PLUG exemplifies the maritime focus on health and safety.
Color Line’s Color Magic was the first implementation of the PLUG in Oslo, Norway.
Féger is hopeful for the future, as NG2 is looking forward to many projects, including the development of the Baby PLUG. The idea behind this new product is for it to be used on small zero-emissions electric ferries. These vessels can charge for a few, solid minutes at each stop to recharge their batteries. The connection and disconnection rate has been timed at around 10 seconds each, leaving ample time to charge properly. With scheduled stops, the environmentally-friendly ships are likely to recharge nearly 80 times daily. The company plans on releasing the Baby PLUG in September of this year.
Other focuses for the company include covering as many markets as possible. PLUG technology can be used for different power/voltage ranges, covering the whole market needs with a single solution, optimizing overall investment and operations.
Overall, shipping is an intensely competitive industry, and PLUG just may be the type of innovation that firms are craving, especially in terms of feasibility.
Facts about shore-based electrical power
Click here for more information on PLUG
PLUG Recap:
• World’s first multi MW, High Voltage shore connection in a minute!
• 20% more time connected to the shore power infrastructure
• 1,000 times less man power
• 1,000 times less risk
• 50 times less maintenance
• 3 to 4 times less CapEX and OpEX
• 4 to 10 times less on board volume
You can also visit http://ng-two.com/ for further information.
PLUG provides a winterized solution with its hands off requirement
