Tallink Megastar – optimal use of energy in the

Tallink's latest LNG-fueled vessel Megastar is environmentally friendly not only because of the fuel it uses, but also because of its other technological systems. The fuel and energy consumption of the ship can be optimized effectively using an electric power production solution and energy management system supplied by ABB.

Megastar, the pride of Tallink's fleet, will start operating on the Helsinki– route in early 2017. The ship was built at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, because Tallink wanted it to be built for customers in the home market using local resources as much as possible.

“To us, it was important that the construction of our ship boosted the local economy,” says Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, CEO of HT Ship Management at Tallink Group.

For the Meyer shipyard in Turku, the order was a highly significant one.

“Building the Megastar signified thousands of man-years for us and our economic area,” says Kari Toivonen, project manager at .

In addition, the ABB delivery was nearly fully designed and manufactured using Finnish and Estonian resources. The two smaller generators for the Megastar were produced at the ABB factory in . The ship's propeller motors and three larger generators were manufactured at ABB’s factory in Helsinki.

Reliable optimization in every situation

This shipping company's first ship fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) is in a league of its own when it comes to eco-friendliness.

“Every technical selection we have made means that the ship's energy consumption can be optimized in every situation,” says Tuulik.

ABB supplied power production, electric propulsion and an energy management system for the Megastar. Combined with the low-emission LNG, ABB's systems have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of the ship.

“We have estimated that, compared with other vessels operating on the same route, these systems improve the energy efficiency of the Megastar by a total of 30 percent,” says Tuulik.

Flexible propulsion solution

The electric propulsion system supplied by ABB is superior compared with conventional mechanical systems thanks to its flexibility and high efficiency rate, even at partial power. “Mechanical propulsion is always optimized for a single speed, whereas an electric propulsion system based on rotating speed control allows the ship's engines to be operated energy- efficiently at all speed profiles. This is highly important, especially on the kinds of shorter routes where the Megastar operates”, says Tomas Michelsson, ABB´s sales manager for passenger ferries.

“For example, when arriving at port, the electric propulsion system allows the larger engines to be stopped and the ship to be moored using the smallest engine required,” says Tuulik.

Furthermore, the electric propulsion system also improves passenger comfort. The ship runs much more quietly and smoothly than a conventional mechanical ship.

Smart Octopus learns and improves

Octopus, a smart energy monitoring system and the crown jewel of ABB’s marine technology, was also supplied for the Megastar. It will go into action once the ship has been launched. Octopus monitors the use of energy in the entire ship in real time, focusing specifically on fuel consumption.

“The weather conditions, winds, the way the ship has been loaded, the speed and the ship's trim, i.e. the attitude of the ship, each have an impact on fuel consumption and, therefore, on emissions,” says Tuulik.

It is important that, on the basis of the data collected, Octopus can help the ship's crew to operate the ship in the most economical way.

“We can apply the data Octopus produces to other Tallink ships, as well,” says Tuulik.

Tuulik is satisfied with how the project and cooperation went with ABB. In addition to the high level of engineering, he values ABB's innovation and sees many potential ways to continue their cooperation.

“It is probable that, during modernization projects, Octopus will also be installed on our other ships. We are also very interested in ABB's 24/7 remote monitoring services,” says Tuulik.

Photo credit: AS Tallink Grupp