Maritime Energy Efficiency Solution From Orcan Energy Installed For The First Time On Two Dredgers

The shipping industry is struggling with high seas: shipping companies are faced with the challenge of efficiently combining environmental protection and economic efficiency.

To bring the two together, marine contractor - Van Oord has chosen to install efficiency PACKs, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) from cleantech company Orcan Energy on two of its new hybrid water injection dredgers. The launch ceremony of the vessels took place in Rotterdam at the end of June.

energy efficiency

Among other things, both dredgers were equipped with a module from Orcan Energy

Specializing in dredging, land reclamation, hydraulic engineering, and coastal engineering, Van Oord is one of the world's four major companies in this field.

In the design of the latest dredgers "Maas" and "Mersey", built by the Dutch shipyard Kooiman Marine Group, special attention was paid to energy efficiency. Among other things, both dredgers were equipped with a module from Orcan Energy. 

maritime energy efficiency solution

The maritime energy efficiency solution, which has already been used several times by the Munich-based company, potentially lowers the overall fuel consumption of the ships by 4 to 5 percent depending on the engine power and the amount of waste heat available.

During a year of intensive and frequent deployment of the vessel, the CO2 emissions can be reduced by close to 200 tons per ship. The company thereby achieves a considerable improvement in the vessels’ life-cycle assessment.

hybrid water injection vessels

For Van Oord, the Maas, and Mersey represent the new generation of hybrid water injection vessels. This new vessel type is versatile and has water injection dredging, mass flowing, and power jetting systems. 

Due to the maneuverability and limited draught, the vessels are used for maintenance dredging in shallow harbors.

Added value in shipping

The efficiency PACK is space-saving as well as compact and robust, to withstand the strong vibrations

Orcan Energy has redesigned its efficiency PACK specifically for the marine industry. The design is adapted to the special requirements on board: the efficiency PACK is space-saving as well as compact and robust, to withstand the strong vibrations as well as shock loads at sea.

The components used in the construction of the efficiency PACK are specially selected for the high ambient temperatures in engine rooms. This makes them ideal for making profitable use of the waste heat on board and saving energy.

efficiency PACKs

The efficiency PACKs utilize the waste heat of the engine jacket cooling water and exhaust gases by extracting the heat. A heat exchanger transfers this to the ORC circuit.

There, the refrigerant - a non-toxic, non-flammable hydrocarbon evaporates and is fed as a superheated vapor to the expansion machine. Here, the high-pressure refrigerant is expanded, driving the expansion machine. This rotational energy is then used to drive a generator that produces electricity, which in turn results in fuel savings.