An IMCA conference will tackle the technical complexities of closed bus-tie operations and the pressing need for GHG emissions reduction
How can DP operators increase efficiency and reduce emissions without compromising on safety? This is the crucial, and some might say contentious, question at the heart of IMCA’s annual DP Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, 3-4 June 2025, explains IMCA technical adviser, Richard Purser.
This year’s programme will examine dynamic positioning (DP) through the lens of the greenhouse gas (GHG) agenda, asking how DP operations can become more efficient and sustainable without compromising on safety through a possible shift towards ‘closed bus’ configurations in DP vessel power systems.
Traditionally, DP operations have prioritised redundancy through open bus-tie arrangements, where separate power generation and distribution systems operate independently. This compartmentalisation aims to prevent single failures propagating from one redundant group to another, safeguarding critical capabilities.
“Closed bus enables more effective load sharing among generators”
However, the potential for enhanced energy efficiency offered by closed bus operations is driving a re-evaluation of this conventional approach. By interconnecting power systems, closed bus enables more effective load sharing among generators. This can lead to a reduction in the number of engines running at lower loads, resulting in tangible benefits such as decreased fuel consumption, fewer emissions, and reduced wear on machinery.
Despite these compelling advantages, the adoption of closed bus-tie operations has been tempered by concerns surrounding safety and fault tolerance. At the DP Conference this year IMCA will delve into the technological advancements that are enabling fuel consumption reductions while tackling the safety concerns that are raised because of the trade-off. IMCA has invited a global panel of expert speakers who, alongside its technical advisers, will present on topics such as advanced fault detection mechanisms, high-speed bus protection systems, and strategies for ensuring robust system integrity in the event of component failure.
Interactive sessions will provide a forum to discuss real-world implementation challenges and the development of best practices for operating in this interconnected mode. Understanding the nuances of short circuit testing and alternative ride-through testing methodologies, crucial for validating the reliability of closed bus systems, will be a key focus.
The conference will also address the escalating pressure on the offshore sector to significantly reduce its GHG footprint. Delegates will explore the potential of alternative fuels as well as new ways of thinking in how to minimise emissions from DP vessels, considering the perspective of regulators and operators, whose expectations may not always tally with operational reality.
The programme will include expert speakers from Subsea7, DNV, Boskalis, Heerema, Fugro, GM, and Simwave and will be hosted by the science journalist, award winning podcaster, and European Space Agency commentator Richard Hollingham. It will also feature a dedicated session led by IMCA’s GHG Committee, which will explore a more universal approach to emissions reduction, with a particular focus on technological innovations, and the challenges to transitioning to cleaner fuels.
The conference will facilitate dialogue on the crucial topics facing the DP community and will influence the future work of IMCA’s DP Committee as these issues continue to evolve. By tackling the technical complexities of closed bus-tie operations and the pressing need for GHG emissions reductions, the conference will equip delegates with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate a future characterised by enhanced efficiency and environmental responsibility.
