Set to be a highlight on Day 3 of the conference at Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo, Peter Rampen, a principal research engineer in ship electrification in the Damen Shipyards R&D department, will present a new approach to shoreside power. Recognizing that the next step in the electrification of shipping will require the development of Charging as a Service shoreside power, Rampen will explain how a new generation of shoreside microgrids could offer a solution, in a presentation titled, ‘Megawatt charging of ships – connections beyond the hull’.
Rampen will highlight the need for standardized charging solutions to ensure interoperability, suggesting the (megawatt) charging standards for automotive applications are a promising basis for such a maritime charging standard. Although the local power grid is not always sufficient to supply the required megawatt-scale peak powers, Damen’s Charging Energy Hub (CEH) – a shoreside microgrid with local storage, optional local power generation and a reduced power grid connection including communications – may offer a solution.
“A CEH is a shoreside solution for locations where the main grid power is too low for the high charging power demand of an electric vessel,” explained Rampen ahead of his presentation. “For this, a smart microgrid that contains energy storage, power conversion and optionally its own power generation will need a much lower power connection to the main grid. A CEH can even be used to support the main grid. The CEH battery can be used for bi-directional peak shaving of the main grid, and even the battery of the electric vessels can potentially be used for this purpose.
“At Damen we are using this solution for hyper power chargers that will soon be in operation for charging road ferries at Lake Ontario. Furthermore, we are working on modular and standardized solutions where we install the CEH in pontoons. With such a floating CEH, it becomes easier and faster to implement electric vessels.”
Rampen will present at 09:20 on June 22 in Theater 1 as part of the Charging Standards for Marine Vessels session. Click here to book a conference pass.
