ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ is a flexible power distribution system delivering efficiency gains to the ships of today and futureproofing them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Ten years since its first installation, ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ has become the standard in multiple vessel segments. With the groundbreaking first installation of Onboard DC Grid™ in 2013, ABB was the first to deliver a direct current (DC)-based onboard power system to an oceangoing vessel. Since then, the DC powered system has brought greater efficiencies for ship operations and opened the way for ships to use clean energy and adapt to new energy sources in the future. The initial focus of the power distribution system was on variable speed generators, such that the generator and engine speed are optimized to the system load, space savings, and dynamic performance. Today’s Onboard DC Grid™ is a modular power system platform that enables simple, flexible and functional integration of energy sources and loads. The system platform is highly customizable for the simple to the most demanding applications, covering the low to mid-power range of marine vessels.
Reflecting on the origins of this game-changing technology, John Olav Lindtjørn, Head of Product & Portfolio Management, Electric Solutions, ABB Marine & Ports, explains: “Direct current is the common denominator between many of the systems on board vessels, so the fundamental concept was to simplify the power setup by reducing the need for components like transformers and switchboards. But we were also aware of DC’s role in the electrification of transport and saw that by investing in it as the backbone for emerging technologies like batteries, fuel cells and variable speed generators, we would be serving the ships of the future, too.”
Onboard DC Grid™ is paving the way for the next-generation power systems, yet it remains fundamentally the same product that was first installed on board multipurpose offshore vessel Dina Star in 2013. “Part of the beauty of Onboard DC Grid™ is how little the original idea has changed over the years,” adds Lindtjørn. “Although it has certainly evolved, and its market reach has grown significantly, the core product is still very much recognizable from its original form. This shows the strength of the concept.”
Onboard DC Grid™ initially targeted the offshore market, where its high fault tolerance and enabling of variable speed diesel engines were particularly valuable. However, operators from other segments quickly recognized the advantages of an onboard DC-based power system, primarily driven by the simplicity of integrating batteries. The passenger segment became the largest market for the solution, which has played a pivotal role in enabling hybrid- and all-electric ferry operations. Yet Onboard DC Grid™ has been embraced by other segments – from towage and fishing to research and naval.
A leaner power system design brings many benefits. With fewer components, integration and maintenance are relatively simple and cost-effective. With fewer power conversions being needed in the system, the power train is more efficient, in turn reducing fuel consumption and emissions. And the smaller footprint minimizes weight and leaves more space for cargo, passengers and additional equipment and systems. Additionally, ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ provides a unique platform for digital solutions. With sensors on board transmitting data between systems instantly, it opens the way for optimization in bridge- and shore-based performance – as well as to remote support through the ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operation Centers.
The energy sources available for today and tomorrow’s shipping are developing, therefore the power system platform needs to change and develop as well. New energy sources such as batteries and fuel cells are easier and cheaper to integrate into a DC system. The Onboard DC Grid™ is the ideal power distribution platform for modern and next-generation vessels that prioritize efficiency and sustainability. Already delivering a multitude of benefits to a variety of ship types today, ABB’s cutting-edge system lays the foundation for the electric, digital and connected marine industry of tomorrow.
