Bergen adopts shore side power

By implementing the ShoreBoX solution from Schneider Electric, the port is expecting to reduce 95% of emissions created by vessels at berth allowing them to be fully compliant with the requirements of Norway’s Emission Control Area (ECA) as defined by MARPOL 6.

ShoreBoX will be used at the port to supply offshore supply vessels (OSVs) which service offshore platforms in the North Sea.

Daniela Rodriguez, Schneider Electric, told GreenPort: “This is the first pilot project for LV Shore Connection that could be duplicated in other OSV ports in Norway and Scotland. It’s a new market that is moving towards green technologies.”

Schneider Electric’s ShoreBoX system is an all in one integrated solution that is both mobile and modular – great for ports with limited space and enabling them to build up power over time depending on future requirements.

Typical investment to equip a ferry berth (which requires 1 to 3 MVA of power) is between €500,000 up to €1m. A new cruise terminal investment will need significantly more power and cost will depend greatly on how much power the ship requires.

The ShoreBoX solution uses a Static Grid Frequency Conversion system. It can be installed and used for cruisers (12 to 15 MVA), containerships (1 to 8 MVA), tankers (2 to 9 MVA) and smaller commercial vessels such as OSVs and tugs.

Further, ShoreBoX is compliant with the Annex 3 IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005 standard which will be implemented in 2016. The update establishes specifications for the electrical and mechanical interface, power ranges and safety for shoreside power facilities, aiming to allow more interoperability between port and ship.