Shaft alternator orders for 15 ships

Commissionings of the energy-saving power supply systems include 4,500kW units for four new container vessels being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea for delivery to Hapag Lloyd while five bulk carriers building at Chengxi for CSL are each to be equipped with 800kW versions; the Chinese yard is also completing an additional two bulk carriers for CSL, both of which are being fitted with 2,500kW assemblies.

Other orders cover supply of 550kW systems for two multi-purpose vessels building at Kouan Shipyard, China, for Harren & Partner. Meanwhile, in Germany two new 195m DFDS ro-ros being constructed by P+S Werften, Stralsund, are each to have dual 800kW systems.

Designed for supply of mains power via ship’s engine, SAM’s range of shaft alternators are claimed to offer significantly improved rates of power generation at lower cost. With a pulse width modulation (PWM) converter based on IGBT (integrated gate bipolar transistor) technology, the systems are said to feature a lower number of components, less cabling, lower cost and no requirement for a synchronous compensator. The convertor itself ensures continuity of mains power under all load conditions without additional support.

Supported by digital control facilities which can also be used for monitoring, testing and simulation of all operating functions, the systems are claimed to help reduce fuel consumption costs and lower the requirements for maintenance of installed diesel generator sets. SAM says that the estimated return on capital outlay for an installation can typically be between two and four years, depending on system power requirements. Worldwide sales of SAM Electronics’ shaft alternators now exceed 400 systems.