Wärtsilä to supply integrated power and propulsion systems for three offshore service vessels
Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions and services provider, is to supply complete and fully integrated power generation and propulsion packages for three vessels being built for Pacific Radiance Ltd., the Singapore based company specialising in offshore service activities. In each case, the company's main requirements were to achieve greater efficiency, better fuel consumption, and lower emission levels. The orders were received during the second quarter of 2012.
Two 86 metre, Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) are to be built at the Huang Pu shipyard in China, while the Zhenjiang shipyard, also in China, will build a hybrid Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel with more than 210 Ton Bollard Pull (TBP). The Wärtsilä equipment for all three ships is scheduled for delivery during 2013, and the vessels are due to be delivered to Pacific Radiance during the first half of 2014.
Wärtsilä's scope of supply includes four 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 in-line main engines, thrusters, and the electrical and automation systems for the two PSVs, and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 in-line main engines, two generating sets based on 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 in-line engines, two controllable pitch propellers, thrusters, and the electrical and automation systems for the AHTS. The PSVs will utilise the Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept (LLC) power distribution system for electric propulsion applications. These will be the first vessels built in China to install the LLC system.
"The Wärtsilä LLC system incorporates high redundancy, high efficiency, and fuel economy for the entire electric propulsion application," says BH Lau, Chief Operating Officer of Pacific Radiance Ltd. "The design of the 690V switchboard and power distribution system gives less single failure consequences and more available power, better operability, and safety during the vessels' dynamically positioned (DP) mode. The company's extensive after sales support was another key factor in selecting Wärtsilä for these newbuild projects."
The notable feature of the AHTS is that it is a hybrid vessel, combining both diesel-mechanic and diesel-electric propulsion. "The Wärtsilä hybrid propulsion system is designed to minimise the total installed power and to create efficient propulsion throughout the entire operating profile of the vessel," says Magnus Miemois, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Offshore. "The hybrid solution results in fuel cost savings and reduced levels of exhaust emissions, both of which are key market requirements."
"By opting for complete integrated solutions for these vessels, the customer benefits in several ways. The fully integrated power generation and propulsion systems ensure optimal performance, while having a single point of contact for the entire systems not only reduces the completion risks, but notably enhances efficiency throughout these complex projects," says Magnus Miemois.
The Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept (LLC)
The patented LLC concept features an ingenious power distribution system architecture that offers better efficiency, less weight and volume, and higher system redundancy. It is available for both low and medium voltage applications, features a transformerless design, and results in superb system availability. It is acknowledged as being a fresh approach to supplying power to the frequency drives for electric propulsion.