Two KNOT shuttle tankers will feature ABB electric solutions

Two 124,000 dwt LNG-fueled shuttle tankers on order at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT) will feature battery technology and a wide scope of ABB’s electric solutions, to achieve significant gains in fuel efficiency, operational flexibility and emissions reduction

KNOT has ordered the tankers backed by a long term charter from ENI and will operate them on behalf of Norwegian exploration and production company Vår Energi, at whose request the energy storage system was added. Vår Energi, which is 69.6% owned by ENI, is the second largest operator on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

“We have been fully aware of charterers’ increased requirement for sustainability, so it was very important that our first commitment to battery power involved a supplier with a track record of delivering quality, safety and reliability to Knutsen, as well as service and remote expert support,” said Tom Knutsen, Project manager at KNOT. “ABB has significant experience in shipboard energy storage systems, and we are pleased that, on top of cutting emissions, this technology will also reduce OPEX.”

ABB’s scope of supply will also include a shaft generator system, main switchboards, thruster and cargo pump drive systems, and taking care of project management, commissioning​​​​​​​ and sea trials.

The ABB twin battery package on board each Knutsen ship will have a storage capacity of 678 kWh. The energy storage system will be able to ramp up engine responsiveness by working with the ABB MV AC system to control and optimize shaft generator power flexibility. The enhanced dynamic support for the energy storage system will be crucial in the event of sudden load changes, peak loading, including the specific demands of station keeping and cargo pump operations.

Being able to call on the integrated energy storage system improves operational flexibility but also means that auxiliaries are needed less frequently, and sometimes not at all, saving fuel and reducing emissions. Battery power may therefore offer a new competitive edge where ships are being replaced or upgraded. In a circular approach, when the shaft generator has produced more power than required, the excess power will be used to charge batteries.

“We are proud to once again deliver safe and efficient solutions to Knutsen to assist them in achieving their sustainability goals,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our shuttle tanker offering ensures that current and future operating goals can be met, and emissions targets can be reached.”