Shore-Supplied Power Makes Swedish Ystad A Greener Port

Ystad, one of Sweden’s largest passenger ports has just switched to shore-supplied power. Grontmij was responsible for the planning and procurement of the world’s largest and most versatile High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC). The main work on this innovative move has taken two years and will last until the end of March 2013.

Shore supply is a very new technology that enables ships to power up and run their generators from the port side. "Usually," explains former sea-farer and now Ystad Harbour’s maintenance and project manager Per Sjogren, "vessels berthing in the port keep their auxiliary diesel engines running. The port itself is very close to the vibrant city and noise was always one issue. The smell and emissions have been an even greater concern, especially as Ystad aims to be the greenest port in the country. By delivering the preliminary study and design and tender documents throughout the whole project, Grontmij contributed to reaching our goal."

Want to know more about Grontmij? Click here to see their profile on www.stateofgreen.com

Shore-supply has positive climate impacts

The shipping business tends to be a conservative industry and the idea of shore supply is very new. One of Grontmij’s challenges was to help Ystad Port convince the shipping companies to convert to shore supply. It is not just a new technology, it also requires considerable financial investment by operators for each vessel.

"But," commented Sweden’s Environment Minister when opening the HVSC facility, "large diesel engines are a major source of both long- and short-lived greenhouse gases and in shipping, we’re talking about huge volumes. Through this shore-supply innovation, we will quickly see positive impacts on the whole regional climate. Ystad is a pioneer." Ystad has already been recognised for its innovation and was awarded the prestigious Sjöfartsforum Diploma at World Maritime Day in Gothenburg at the end of September this year.

Learn more about Grontmij solutions

Sustainability by design

For Grontmij, the introduction of shore supply is part of the sustainability by design corporate mission.

"Solutions of this kind are key to our environmental commitment," confirms Grontmij Sweden’s Rolf Hansson, business unit manager for Electrical and Telecoms Engineering. "We see shore supply as a tool to environmentally optimise more ports both in Sweden and across the Baltic, also as part of our own business focus on helping clients manage energy consumption. The new HVSC is a flexible system and will be a real contribution to reducing both noise and emissions." Grontmij is already working on a similar system for Trelleborg Port in Sweden.

Photosource: Grontmij