The commissioning of France’s largest-ever shore power solution for ships at the Port of Toulon has been completed and is currently in its final acceptance period.
The consortium responsible for delivering the installation was led by ABB, comprising also construction company Eiffage Construction and electrical installation company Fauché responsible for building and civil engineering services. The facility offers connections at 11kV and 6.6 KV voltage levels and frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz, supporting both cruise and ferry formats. This allows supporting port calls by three ferries simultaneously, or one cruise ship. In addition, the port is equipped with the necessary technology to connect a 1MW hydrogen fuel cell system. It is believed to be the only operational solution in France capable of simultaneously supplying multiple vessels – ferries and cruise ships alike – from a single conversion station, thanks to a digitalised smart grid network architecture.
Jean-Pierre Giran, President, Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis, said: “The delivery of this project is an important milestone for Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis as a leading Mediterranean port to provide shore power across all of its docks. Located in the heart of the city, the port plays a central role in the business community and in the lives of our residents. With the support of our co-funders and partners – the European Union, the French State, the Sud PACA Region, the Departmental Council, and ADEME – we are eliminating over 80% of polluting emissions, saving 9,000h of diesel operation per year, and significantly reducing noise and vibrations. The reduction in sulphur emissions alone will be equivalent to those produced by 50,000 cars annually.”
The shore connection system, developed and led by the Métropole and implemented by ABB, allows ships to turn off their diesel generators in port, supporting the IMO targets for shipping to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050. As of the beginning of May, the Mediterranean has become the fifth IMO ECA for SOx and particulate matter, which means that ships operating in the area will be required to use marine fuel with reduced sulphur content.
The Port of Toulon handles around 1,500 calls from ferries, cruise vessels, and cargo vessels annually. With shore power available, the city will be able to significantly reduce carbon, SOx and NOx emissions and noise at berth. In addition, ship owners will save on fuel costs. The Toulon project is a key part of regional ‘Zero-smoke stopovers’ plans for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Région Sud PACA) which also include shore power for Marseille and Nice.
Frédéric Mestivier, designer and Technical Director, electrification project, Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée, said: “Technically innovative, this project introduces a new smart grid network architecture using digital technology to manage energy flows from multiple interconnected sources. The infrastructure maximises overall energy efficiency while minimising the carbon footprint.”
The innovative system integrates ABB equipment that can store energy ashore, helping to smooth out peak energy demand from vessels and balancing loads dynamically. This allows the system to work seamlessly with emerging renewable energy sources, with solar power and batteries already integrated, and helps to optimise the cost of energy delivered from the 20kV Enedis grid line.
Marcus Martelin, Service Line Manager, Decarbonisation Services, ABB Marine and Ports, said: “It has been an honour to contribute to Port of Toulon’s success in leading this innovative installation. This can be regarded as a milestone and a model example for all ports in the Mediterranean and globally. ABB’s shore power solution has established itself as one of the key technologies that continue to drive decarbonization in shipping.”
ABB’s scope of delivery included battery energy storage and solar panel integration, as well as full engineering project management. ABB offers a wide range of shore power solutions, including infrastructure onshore and onboard vessels. ABB’s shore connection technology has already been integrated by over 50 ports worldwide to drive maritime decarbonisation.
Image: Port of Toulon celebrates milestone installation in France with ABB shore power technology (credit: Adobe Stock)
