Shore power substations are complex systems installed at ports or docks that let ships connect to the local electrical grid while at berth. This allows large vessels to turn off their onboard generators and instead use electricity from the shore to power different onboard systems. This can reduce air pollution and noise pollution while at port.
Shore power substations work in conjunction with a series of transformers that step down the voltage to a level that is suitable for the ship’s connections. If the ship needs more power, operators may need to install a shore power connection system, which consists of specialized electrical connectors that connect to the shore power outlet when at port.
On board the hip, an internal substation takes the shore power input and then distributes it to the different systems within the ship. This internal substation might further step down the voltage to ensure it matches the ship’s electrical requirements. A power management system on the ship then controls the distribution of electricity from the shore power connection to the different systems, ensuring that power is allocated correctly to lighting, HVAC systems, refrigeration systems, and more.
At Electric Power Systems, we manufacture shore power substations according to our clients’ unique requirements. We can develop a shore power substation specifically for your application. Contact us today to learn more about these systems or to get your project started.