Cochran's Marine Shore Power System now has patent pending status. Over the last four years Mike Watts and his team have worked on developing a unique solution for the cruise line industry to provide a cost-saving and environmentally sound alternative to idling diesel engines as a source of power while in port.Shore Power: How It Works
- A cruise ship or ocean transport vessel equipped to receive shore power docks in port.
- The shore-side operator selects the ship to be connected through our uniquely designed automation system, which determines the proper operating parameters.
- Based on the ship’s specific voltage requirements (either 6.6 kV or 11 kV), power is transferred to the ship and synchronized through a closed transition process that is monitored and controlled by the ship’s automation systems.
- Concurrently, the shore-side automation system maintains a precise record of the ship’s power consumption for monitoring purposes.
- Lifted by a specially designed crane and hoist system, five flexible power and control cables connect to the ship’s electrical system through marine-standard plugs and sockets.
- Shore-side monitoring systems utilize protection relays to ensure the safety of ship and shore electrical systems, as well as redundant safety systems.
All of the ship’s systems are now run on shore electricity instead of its diesel engines, virtually eliminating fuel emissions from the ship while in port.
System Details
- Annual Reduction in diesel emissions
- Primary Voltage: 12-35 kV
- Secondary Voltages: 6.6kV and 11kV
- Secondary Full Load: 20 megawatts
- Estimated Project Time (after contracted): 8-12 months for design, engineering, and construction
