ABB to provide power, propulsion and automation for world’s most advanced port icebreaker
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, will provide the power, automation and turbocharging capabilities for the most advanced port icebreaker ever built. According to ABB, it will maximize fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability by including four Azipod thrusters, adapted for the tough ice conditions and DC Grid system, to distribute energy effectively. The main engine will also be fitted with Power2 800-M, the most advanced two-stage turbocharging system in the industry enabling highest efficiency turbocharging performance.
Peter Terweisch, Group Senior Vice President, Process Automation commented, “ABB’s marine applications are at the forefront of the icebreaking market with our process automation technology now central to the world’s most advanced icebreaking vessel. We are very pleased to be able to deliver industry leading levels of efficiency and safety by providing so many ABB latest generation solutions on one vessel.”
The vessel will benefit from ABB’s Onboard DC Grid system, which has many advantages. It provides space and weight saving whilst minimizing noise and vibration. One of the key advantages of the DC Grid is that it allows diesel engines to run at variable speeds, rather than one fixed speed, which is important when managing ice conditions. This flexibility can also cut fuel use and emissions.
Two pairs of Azipod thrusters will be fitted on the bow and stern of the ship, all of which will be adapted to the conditions. They will be equipped with powerful electric motors (3MWs each). One of the crucial benefits of Azipod propulsion is that they turn 360 degrees, allowing the ship’s crew to maneuverer the vessel to operate stern or bow first.
Mika Hovilainen at Aker Arctic, responsible for developing this unique vessel concept, says “The harbour icebreaker is a totally new concept especially developed for heavy harbour ice conditions with extensive thick brash ice. Having four Azipod units helps to take operability, manoeuvrability and ice management capability to one step further. Along with ABB Marine and Ports, we continue to be at the cutting edge of icebreaking technology.”
Integrated Power and Energy Management System and Marine Automation System brings together main elements of the ships performance, like power generation and propulsion, into a centralized system allowing the operator to increase efficiency and safety.
The Power2 800-M two-stage turbocharging system on the icebreaker’s Wärtsilä 31 engine, will further enhance fuel efficiency and also flexibility of operations. With a low pressure and high pressure stage, it provides higher air pressure ratios, up to 12 from 8 in the previous generation. Compared to a single-stage turbocharger operating at 65-70% efficiency, Power2 800-M goes beyond 75% efficiency, the only system currently available across the large engine industry with this capability.
It responds to the need for new marine engine technology to offer consistency of performance across conventional and newer marine fuel options. This application will demonstrate the advances in efficiency and power density now available for four-stroke engines operating across a wide range of load profiles and facing added demands of emissions legislation.
The vessel will be built by Vyborg Shipyard in Russia.
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people.
Vyborg Shipyard PJSC (a corporate member of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) is one of the leading shipbuilding companies of the north-west region of Russia. The Shipyard was founded in 1948 and has a considerable experience in commercial shipbuilding, including construction of a wide range of offshore drilling platforms. Totally at Vyborg Shipyard there were built more than 200 vessels of various operational functions, 9 offshore drilling platforms and 105 topside modules for oil and gas field development both for the Russian and foreign customers. Total displacement of the constructed vessels is about 1 550 000 t.
