ABB’s permanent magnet shaft generator system is driven by the main engine, enabling increased efficiencies for vessels with fewer or smaller gensets (source: ABB)
ABB will deliver a shaft generator system with permanent magnet technology for CO2 storage vessels operating as part of the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project (CCS)
These liquid CO2 carriers come with purpose-built pressurised cargo tanks capable of storing 7,500 m3 of liquefied CO2 and will be among the first dedicated CO2 storage vessels built.
Both ships are under construction at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company and are due for delivery 2024.
The 130-m vessels will support the Northern Lights project by transporting greenhouse gas from industrial emitters to an onshore terminal in Øygarden, Norway. From there, CO2 will be delivered by pipeline to dedicated reservoirs 2,600 m under the seabed in the North Sea for permanent storage.
ABB’s permanent magnet shaft generator system is driven by the main engine, enabling increased efficiencies for vessels with fewer or smaller gensets. The shaft generator system will combine with variable speed engines, harvesting power for all onboard systems through the rotating force of the shaft, significantly improving performance compared with a traditional setup with fixed speed engines.
ABB will also deliver the main electrical, automation and safety systems for the Northern Lights project.
Vessels will have access to ABB’s Ability marine remote diagnostic system to enable the remote operation of the terminal, continuous equipment monitoring and planned-maintenance activities.
ABB Marine & Ports global business line manager, marine systems, Rune Braastad said ,“Addressing the world’s energy challenges requires a constant push for innovation, and we are proud to make a difference with our leading technology. Transporting captured emissions by ships will be key to the success of the Northern Lights project, paving the way for further developments to help accelerate decarbonisation in heavy industry sectors.”
Northern Lights is a joint venture between oil majors Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, and a major part of the Longship project – a full CCS value chain initiative supported by the Norwegian state.
Phase one of the project is due to be completed mid-2024 with a capacity of storing up to 1.5M tonnes of CO2 per year. The partners aim to expand that capacity to over 5M tonnes annually, dependent on market demand, in a second phase.
