Smarter greener handling

A key example is the electrification of container terminals by converting diesel powered RTGs into E-RTGs powered by VAHLE conductor bar solutions. This process allows terminal operators to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, noise pollution and fuel costs. Due to the massive fuel savings (up to 90%) terminal operators can competitively meet emission requirements and their goals for treating our environment with care.

Green solutions

VAHLE offers turn-key solutions to help modern ports such as Asyaport Liman in Turkey become green and to be certified to PERS (Port Environmental Review System) by the European Sea Ports Organization at the beginning of this year.

The next step to become even greener is to eliminate the remaining time of diesel power used when the E-RTG is removed from the aisles for maintenance or for changing the container block. This can be accomplished by equipping the E-RTGs with batteries that will provide the required power. VAHLE offers three different solutions depending on the yard layout and customer demands.

Before the containers are handled by the E-RTG cranes, they are unloaded from the mega vessels by Ship to Shore Cranes (STS) which are powered by VAHLE’s copperhead open conductor solutions in a trench system or by motorised cable reels. The horizontal transportation can be operated by automated guided vehicles – powered by battery and charged by VAHLE’s Contactless Power System (CPS).

Efficient handling

With all these port procedures running fully electrified by VAHLE, a complete energy management system is required for the most efficient handling. Currently under development by VAHLE and in accordance with DIN EN IS 50001 standards, are both substations and high-energy storage units. Both will be containerised and stackable to minimise their footprint. These stations will absorb excess energy during normal operations and be available for high-demand times.

The energy management systems will record voltage, current and energy consumption of mobile equipment - RTG’s, RMG’s, ASC, STS, AGV, etc, as well as on every supply system to include VAHLE substations. This data can be used to optimise the power consumption and allow perfect adjustment to the grid.

All required data from the energy measurement on mobile consumers will be transmitted through the new data communication system – Slotted Microwave Guide eXtreme (SMGX) – to the terminal office to allow proper management of energy demands and find the most sustainable way to save resources and the environment.

The SMGX system works with a multi-node infrastructure in a frequency range of 5-5.8 GHz, so VAHLE is able to upgrade bandwidth step by step as required by the customers. RF emissions are within EMC regulations are 100 Mbit/sec data rates are available as gross rate.

Vision for the future

The final step in our vision is to use renewable energy generated by solar, wind or biomass to enable the ports to be independent against increased prices of oil and e-power in the future.

Additionally, VAHLE is looking into cooperation with terminal operators to improve working conditions for crane operators. The electrification of the RTG cranes not only offers a reduction in fuel costs but also allows an increase in productivity. This is because the automated telescopic arm enters and leaves the electrical infrastructure automatically and an RTG can be steered automatically which simplifies daily operations.

Future developments include the VAHLE TRIMOTION System which provides electrification, positioning and data communication allowing remote operation of the RTGs from an ergonomically and safe office environment. The operator is de-coupled from the RTG and idle time (approximately 20%) can be eliminated to increase efficiency.

Currently, VAHLE has over 5,150m of SMGX in operation and forward orders for approximately 7,600m in the next few months as companies prepare to become greener and more automated.