Drill Ship Power Challenge: Hybrid Solution Solves Distribution Issues

Rittal

June 26, 2017

A collaboration between AKA and Rittal has solved energy efficiency and recycling issues related to a deepwater drill ship installation.

Manufacturers in the marine and offshore space face unique challenges. Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA), a manufacturer of electrical power and control systems headquartered in Montague, PEI, encountered one with its hybrid power initiative, the first hybrid drill floor destined for installation on ultra-deepwater drill ships operated by Transocean, Swiss offshore drilling contractors.

Before AKA’s technology, diesel generators would experience power load fluctuations in accelerating and decelerating workloads. Even a momentary loss in the main AC power source could cause difficulties in the rapid transfer of the energy needed to accommodate an unplanned disconnection of the diesel engine.

Stringent green power and disposal issues offered an additional hurdle. The variation of gases in quantity, temperature and chemical content, such as those produced by diesel, does not allow modern equipment to effectively capture or modify this output. Since PEI levies steep recycling charges for the disposal of metal or other waste products, modifications on site would be costly.

Powerful solution

AKA’s solution — couping diesel generators with ultracapacitors to resolve the problems in the power distribution network — called for dozens of industrial enclosures.

The intermediate power storage system absorbs and delivers energy at a rate faster than the process can use or return it. The hazards of the E-stop are controlled by allowing operation without the main generator connection. The diesel operates continuously at high output without compromising performance or requiring a “spinning reserve” of power.

Enclosures for the power storage system had to exceed traditional use standards since the application is unique in the maritime and offshore market. AKA worked with Rittal Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of enclosures and racking systems. The desired enclosure system would improve reliability, save energy, reduce emissions, lower maintenance costs, enhance safety, and support maritime regulations. Since on-site modification was impossible and scrap recycling of any modifications was unacceptable, the enclosures had to arrive ready for installation. To meet project requirements, Rittal supplied 114 TS 8 enclosures, including standard, modified and electromagnetically compatible models. The enclosures were modified prior to shipping and arrived ready to go, meeting all marine class regulations, including DNV and ABS. The TS 8s were delivered to AKA’s PEI headquarters for eventual installation in the Deepwater Thalassa at the Deawoo Shipping & Marine Engineering shipyard in South Korea. The drilling ship will be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico, but it could be sent anywhere in the world.

Impactful improvements

After months of testing and operation, AKA has catalogued a number of its hybrid power system improvements:

• the enclosures reduced fuel consumption, which lowered fuel costs and emissions.
• a combination of diesel and intermediate power storage reduced the release of harmful gasses into the atmosphere.
• a common bus that allows some generators to remain in standby condition rather than in constant operation reduced hours of machine wear and fouling on each generator.
• increased standby time has reduced part wear resulting in lower replacement costs, fewer hours spent on maintenance, increased reliability and greater availability
• the TS 8 construction reduced scaling and corrosion on wetted parts and helped retain heat transfer efficiency. This lowered maintenance hours

There was also a safety benefit. With fewer diesels in operation, there was a significant reduction in injuries and spills associated with fuel and other fluid handling, while smoother transitions in E-stops protected the workers from sudden engine stops.

Photos courtesy of Rittal.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation and Collaboration at EFC’s 2025 Conference in Niagara

    Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation and Collaboration at EFC’s 2025 Conference in Niagara

    By Luc Rodier, Chair of the Board of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) The 2025 EFC Conference in Niagara was a landmark occasion—marking 30 years of innovation, collaboration, and collective progress in the Canadian electrical industry. Set against the symbolic backdrop of the Canadian-U.S. border, this year’s theme, Electrifying Connections, couldn’t have been more fitting. As President and… Read More…

  • Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    June 9, 2025 Introduction: With the multitude of options on the market, it can be difficult to decide whether you need a pin and sleeve wiring device or a plug and connector in your industrial plant or facility. You might find your head swirling with thoughts about which option is best. Or you may not… Read More…

  • Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada On June 3 and 4, a high-level delegation from Canada’s electrical and automation sector travelled to Montreal and Quebec City for a series of strategic meetings with Quebec government officials and key stakeholders. Organized by Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), this mission underscores the critical role the industry plays in advancing… Read More…

  • Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada This year’s Annual Industry Conference, held against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was a landmark event with more than 710 Electro-Federation Canada community members. More than just a celebration of our shared history, it was a launchpad for new ideas, future-based dialogue, and deeper connections.   The energy and… Read More…


Changing Scene