The Port of Tallinn will install ABB's shore power system on five of its ferry piers (nos. 3, 5, 7, 12, and 13) in the Old City Harbour.
The first installation will have been ready by end-year and will be used by Tallink's Tallinn-Stockholm ferries. The remaining onshore power supply points will be added throughout 2020's first half and will be utilised by vessels sailing between Estonia and Finland.
The setup provided by ABB will make it possible to connect the vessels to shore power with 11kV voltage. To guarantee safety, the system will be fitted with a duplicated control mechanism that will switch off high voltage should an emergency situation occur.
There will be no need for onshore personnel to connect the ship to the shore power facility; the vessel's crew will navigate the cable crane from the pier and connect the plug to the ship's equipment with the use of a remote control. The ship's electricity won't be interrupted during the connecting or the disconnecting process.
The substation equipment and automation will be supplied by ABB, and the remote controlled crane required for the electrical connection will be delivered by the Estonian company Scaleup.
The investment is part of the EU co-funded TWIN-Port 3 project.
"The Tallinn Old City Harbour is one of the busiest ports in a capital city in Europe, so installing shore power facilities in the harbour is an important step forward in reducing the environmental impact of shipping on the city," Valdo Kalm, CEO, the Port of Tallinn, commented.
He furthered, "Considering the improved air quality and reduced noise pollution, this project is great news for all the citizens and visitors of Tallinn, but also for the ship operators, who can positively contribute to the development of the city environment through this project."
To this Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, Chief Captain and Head of Ship Management, Tallink Grupp, added, "According to our calculations, a ship that uses green shore power for at least seven hours per day while docked in port, will generate 230 tonnes less CO2 per month. The air quality will also improve generally when the ship's engines are stopped, with fewer emissions and particle matter being emitted into the air in the port area."
He also highlighted, "We have already taken a step towards using shore power with our vessels in the Port of Stockholm, thus significantly improving the air quality in this capital city."
Photo: Port of Tallinn