Holland America retrofitted 3 of its vessels with shore power connectors that were supplied by ABB, with further 8 due to install the technology.
The new connectors will allow the cruise ships to draw on land-based electrical grids while docked in port, enabling them to turn off engines, hence reducing emissions and noise, as well as improving energy efficiency.
Despite the lack of standardisation which has hindered uptake of technology, ABB offers a single interface for all shore power systems. Primary distribution voltage varies from 440-11000v, while load requirements range from a few hundred KW in the case of car carriers to over 12MW in the case of reefer or passenger ships.
ISO 80005-1 covers installation, testing and design of high-voltage shore connections, international standards for low-voltage systems have yet to be published.
Holland America's solution features simplified switchover process, allowing for faster transition between vessel and shore power sources. Previous solutions required up to 20-minute preparation prior to power transfer.