Corvus Helps Cut Emissions of RTGs in Ports

In the first order for its Singapore-based Asian office Corvus Energy is supplying the energy storage system (ESS) for battery-hybrid rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes by The CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering (CCCCSEE). The order is for various retrofit and newbuild deliveries by CCCCSEE’s affiliate Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co Ltd (ZPMC) in Chinese ports. Corvus Energy has primary operations in Vancouver, Canada and Bergen, Norway and has previously supplied 48 RTG cranes through CCCCSEE.

Unlike conventional diesel electric port cranes, the hybrid version is powered primarily from the Corvus battery package resulting in fuel savings of up to 65%. The added benefits of reduced operating costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower noise levels at the terminal make an attractive business case.

Gao Jianzhong, chief engineer at CCCCSEE said, “Corvus Energy has definately shifted the economics and viability of converting diesel port equipment to battery-hybrid electric with their Orca Energy systems. Exceeding all requirements and expectations, Corvus ESS technology is a cornerstone of our future strategy for technological advancement. Through previous deliveries they have proven that the performance, durability and reliability of its battery systems are ideally suited to the demands of our port equipment.”

The robust Orca Energy ESS stores regenerative braking energy captured as the RTG crane lowers a container – a high-current charge that most battery systems cannot sustain. The stored energy is used to power the RTG crane during operations such as trolley and gantry movement, allowing the diesel engine to be shut off when it would traditionally be idling or operating inefficiently at low loads. The size of the generator can be smaller, the generator can be used less often and its operation optimised for fuel efficiency.

Pradeep Datar, vice president of sales at Corvus Energy Asia said, “The design and performance of Corvus Orca Energy enables the ESS to support aggressive load profiles with a significant reduction in cost. We expect the market for battery-hybrid RTG crane applications will continue to grow as leading port equipment suppliers such as CCCCSEE prove the technology’s efficacy to significantly reduce emissions. There is significant retrofit potential with existing RTG cranes in global ports, in particular in Asia which operates half the world’s roughly 10,000 RTG cranes. Further, there is an upward trend for hybrid and all-electric RTG cranes in new orders. Corvus technology continues to provide solutions for progressive port operators worldwide who seek to increase efficiencies while reducing emissions and the environmental impact of their operations.”

Corvus Energy provides high power energy storage in the form of modular lithium ion battery systems. Its purpose-built, field-proven battery systems provide sustained power to hybrid and fully electric heavy industrial equipment, including port equipment and large marine propulsion drives.