PM shaft generators for Stenersen tankers

The order also includes an option for two further shaft generators. Equipment delivery for the first vessel is scheduled for the second quarter of 2017.

The generators will provide up to 1,500kW in power take-out mode. In power take-in mode, the WE Drive is used as an auxiliary propulsion drive when the main engine is out of operation. It converts auxiliary generator power to propulsion power by employing the PM shaft generator as an electrical motor.

John Stenersen, director ship management, Rederiet Stenersen, said: “WE Drive provides the advantage of being able to run our two-stoke main engine at variable speed, resulting in significant fuel savings compared with fixed speed. The operating hours of the auxiliary generators are dramatically reduced… we don’t need to run the auxiliary engines when using variable speed for the main engine.”

Shaft generators also lead to lower mechanical loss between main engine and propeller compared to standard tunnel gear, resulting in a decreased power requirement from the main engine and lower fuel consumption.

The solution has been extended to include shore connectivity and will use the common DC link for DC power distribution to the bow thruster.