Imtech Marine equips first LNG-Hybrid Barge stationed in Hamburg

Imtech Marine equipped the first LNG-Hybrid Barge with its latest ‘green’ technology by order of Becker Marine Systems in Hamburg to supply the AIDA cruise fleet with energy. The LNG-Hybrid Barge is fitted with Imtech Marine’s electrical solutions and fire extinguishing equipment. In addition, Imtech Marine installed the complete ventilation systems with corresponding heat recovery and sea water cooling systems, supporting the Hybrid Barge’s ‘green’ approach by saving energy through reduced heating and cooling requirements.

The regulations regarding a ship’s emissions are becoming stricter. From 2015, new exhaust gas emission requirements (e.g. Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA)) will come into effect. To meet regulations and the increasing environmental awareness of the shipping companies, new environmentally friendly platforms, like the LNG-Hybrid Barge, are being developed.

In 2015, the first LNG-Hybrid Barge will serve the AIDA cruise fleet at the port of Hamburg, reducing the cruise ship’s sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and particle emissions. During the summer season, the Hybrid Barge will provide electrical energy for the AIDA and other cruise ships. In winter, during the cruise off-season, the LNG-Hybrid Barge will provide both electrical energy and heat for the public grid.

Imtech Marine’s scope of supply started with analysis of the new build project. During this analytical phase, Imtech Marine took a closer look at the holistic system of the Hybrid Barge to detail the design and its later operation. After the analytical phase, Imtech Marine installed the full range of electrical and fire extinguishing equipment. In addition, Imtech Marine installed an energy efficient ventilation system with a corresponding heat recovery system, which uses the engine’s heat radiation to evaporate the liquid and cold LNG to provide gas for the engines.

Imtech Marine’s innovative Power Management System

The Power Management System (PMS) of the LNG-Hybrid Barge was one of the most challenging tasks for Imtech Marine, comparing its innovative approach with traditional PMS of seagoing vessels. Due to its different functionalities for summer and winter operation at different net frequencies (50/60 Hz), the PMS of the Hybrid Barge is very complex and needed a special technological solution. In summer, the PMS of the Hybrid Barge has to interact with the PMS of the AIDA vessel. During this process, the complete electrical load of the AIDA vessel will be transferred to the LNG-Hybrid barge in a specific time frame. To provide the whole load of an AIDA vessel, it is necessary that all five gas engines of the LNG-Hybrid Barge run in parallel and already before being connected to the ship. After the load transfer from the ship to the LNG-Hybrid Barge, all the engines on the AIDA will be stopped (cold ironing).

During winter operation, a load-dependent start and stop of the LNG-Hybrid Barge’s gas engines is provided. An additional challenge is the handling of the electrical power cable due to the large tide range of approximately three metres in the Hamburg harbour.

With this project, Imtech Marine further enhanced its experience in the field of ‘green’ projects and was able to prove itself a trustworthy partner when asked for innovative solutions and energy efficient technology.