Bacoli (Naples) – A day of discussion dedicated to digitalization, innovation, and energy efficiency in the naval sector to ride the “Waves of Innovation”. This was the name of the event promoted by PLC Marine, the naval division of Dielle srl, which chose the Aragonese Castle of Baia, a hamlet of Bacoli a few kilometers from Naples, for its first edition. A technical conference that brought together designers, suppliers, and operators in the naval sector, with the goal of sharing solutions and visions for the energy transition, sustainability, and on-board automation. The program alternated thematic talks and networking moments, with presentations dedicated to decarbonization, electric motors, automation, control systems, and energy management. The meeting saw the participation of Danfoss, Wago, Finder, Riello UPS, and Electro Adda, technology partners of PLC Marine, a business unit that provides a wide range of specialized electrical and automation services, tailored to meet the ever-evolving needs of the naval industry, ensuring premium service and smooth, reliable operations across the entire fleet.
“Our company – said Maria De Lillo, co-CEO of Dielle srl – has undertaken a development path that brings the experience gained in industrial automation into the marine world. From this, PLC Marine was born, which today organizes Waves of Innovation, a technical conference dedicated to energy, sustainability, and energy efficiency. At a time when the sea is at the center of ecological transition policies, we believe that technology and automation must be tools in the service of a more conscious, efficient, and resource-respectful model.”
Porfirio Forlì, director of the PLC Marine business unit, emphasized the value of collaboration and discussion. “Waves of Innovation – he said – is not just a meeting moment, but a real turning point. We believe that technology, automation, and energy efficiency are indispensable elements for a competitive and sustainable naval sector. Working collaboratively and sharing with our partners – Danfoss, Riello, Electro Adda, Wago, and Finder – allows us to create synergies and develop solutions that generate mutual growth. Today, energy saving is no longer a choice, but a necessity. Every new technology on board must contribute to reducing consumption and emissions, improving performance and respect for the environment.”
The stage featured successive presentations from the partner companies, moderated by Dario Verzaro, commercial director of Dielle srl.
From the technology front, Pierluigi Voghera, commercial director of Finder, recalled the company’s role in the field of naval automation. “Finder is an Italian company with over seventy years of history, long committed to the marine sector with electromechanical and electronic solutions for control, distribution, and lighting panels. With the PLC Opta we have taken a step forward, offering a powerful technology that is simple to install and program, useful for energy management, on-board systems, down to the precise control of sockets and lights. All our products for the naval sector are certified by Rina and Lloyd’s Register, guaranteeing safety and reliability. Another strong point is the simplicity of maintenance: our open system can be managed by installers all over the world, reducing time and costs.
Opta represents for us the new frontier of on-board automation.
Among the topics addressed was also that of hybrid propulsion. “Our innovation – explained Gianluca Stanic, commercial technical director of Electro Adda – starts from lighter construction solutions and high-efficiency hybrid propulsion. On this path, we work as a team, also developing combined systems that exploit the action of the wind. We have promoted the use of water cooling for electric motors, which is more compact and quieter, with fewer vibrations and greater comfort on board. We electrify superyachts, cruise ships, military units and tugs: we have followed two full electric tugs in India. For us, electric is the future, even though we believe in the right balance between different technologies. Every solution must be efficient, safe and sustainable also from an economic point of view for the shipowner”.
On the front of safety and automation, Alvise Pengo, regional manager of Wago, explained: “Wago’s mission is to contribute to energy efficiency through automation and safety. We were the first to introduce the spring connector, a flexible and reliable solution that guarantees contact continuity and safety even in complex environments like ships or trains. In the naval sector, we have obtained all the main certifications, facing extreme conditions such as vibrations, salt fog and strong thermal excursions. Our technology aims to guarantee reliability and constant supervision, allowing precise management of consumption and an immediate response to critical plant events”.
The intervention of Aldo Ornaghi, marine business manager of Danfoss, brought the focus onto engine efficiency and predictive maintenance. “Our goal is to support PLC Marine – said the manager – by providing solutions that allow for the innovation of already operational vessels as well. With our frequency converters, it is possible to monitor and control the speed of electric motors, optimizing consumption and reducing fuel use. Furthermore, thanks to predictive maintenance functions, machine downtime can be prevented and the overall efficiency of the fleet improved. It is an approach that combines sustainability, safety, and operational continuity”.
Finally, Salvatore Moria, Italian commercial manager of Riello Ups, concluded the session with a focus on operational efficiency. “With the new ranges of uninterruptible power supply groups, we have achieved a double objective: greater energy efficiency and more operational practicality. Our modular plug and play systems – said Moria – allow for rapid interventions without dismantling entire apparatuses, simplifying on-board maintenance. They are also ideal solutions for ship revamping, where spaces are reduced and operations are complex. We notice a growing interest from shipyards towards more efficient products, chosen already in the design phase to reduce consumption and operating costs. It is an important signal that pushes us to continue on this path, gradually leaving the old systems behind”.
