Greener grid for UK harbour

Previously, frequency conversion in the power supply at Portsmouth was carried out by rotary frequency converters (RFCs) – complex mechanical systems that combine motors, generators, drives and ancillary regulation and control equipment.

As the RFCs in Portsmouth were nearing the end of their service life, BAE Systems, the company responsible for the dockyard’s electrical system, turned to ABB for new “solid-state” power electronics technology.

“Providing Portsmouth Navy Base with a state-of-the-art shore-to-ship power solution will help enhance overall efficiency while minimizing environmental impact,” said Patrick Fragman, Head of ABB’s Grid Integration business, a part of the company’s Power Grids division.

“This project is another example of our commitment to sustainable transportation and reinforces our position as a partner of `choice for a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”

New solution

ABB developed a new solution based on medium voltage static frequency conversion (SFC) technology for the dockyard.

Unlike RFCs, the SFC technology has no moving parts, apart from its cooling fans, ensuring a high level of reliability with minimum maintenance requirements.

It also offers lower costs per MVA, proven technology and higher SFC efficiency (over 98%) allow a clear reduction in the total cost of ownership for end users, allowing savings of up to 25%.

ABB is supplying the SFC as part of a complete package including a dry-type 11 kilovolt (kV) to 6.6 kV transformer and control equipment to interface with the dockyard’s electrical management system.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2019