World News
New PSV Propulsion Systems Reduce Fuel Consumption Up to 15%
A new power and propulsion system from GE [NYSE:GE]'s Power Conversion business promises to reduce fuel consumption of platform support vessels (PSVs) by up to 15 percent, the company says.
The Variable Frequency Active Front-End power and propulsion system (VF-AFE) allows ship owners to lower engine speeds when feasible, reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and maintenance needs.
"Today, when you operate a conventional engine, its speed is always constant, whatever the load," said Paul English, marine leader of GE Power Conversion.
"So when the load is reduced, you are using more energy than you need because the pistons continue to run at an unnecessarily high speed.
"This lowers your efficiency. The VF-AFE enables you to recover that lost efficiency."
English said that a PSV with engines loaded at 50 percent of rated load, fuel savings could be up to $300,000 per year, assuming 8 metagawatts of installed power operating constantly for 300 days a year and a fuel price of $900 per tonne.
GE estimates return on investment for the technology in less than a year.
With bunker costs a rising concern for shipowners, fuel-efficient propulsion systems from companies including GE, Siemens Industry Inc. (Siemens), and ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB) have become increasingly common in recent years.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 509.00 | 4.50 | 623.00 | 3.00 |
| Rotterdam | 463.00 | 7.00 | 623.50 | 2.00 |
| Houston | 471.50 | 4.50 | 627.50 | 3.50 |
| Fujairah | 501.00 | 4.50 | 714.00 | 1.00 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 529.00 | 2.50 | 714.50 | 2.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 486.00 | 3.00 | 647.00 | 2.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 572.50 | 2.00 | 753.00 | 2.00 |
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