The commissioning of France’s largest shore power solution for ships at Toulon is now complete.
Operational since 13th February, the installation is currently in its final acceptance period.
The consortium responsible for delivering the installation was led by ABB, and included the construction company, Eiffage Construction and electrical installation company, Fauché which was responsible for building and civil engineering services.
The facility now offers connections at 11 kV and 6.6 KV voltage levels and frequencies of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, supporting both cruise and ferry operations.
It allows three ferries to connect up simultaneously, or one cruise ship.
In addition, the port is equipped with the necessary technology to connect a 1 MW hydrogen fuel cell system.
Today, it is the only operational system in France capable of simultaneously supplying multiple vessels – ferries and cruise ships – from a single conversion station, thanks to a digitalised smart grid network architecture.
“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,” said Jean-Pierre Giran, Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis President.
“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 9,000 hours 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,” he claimed.
The shore connection system, developed and led by the Métropole and implemented by ABB, allows ships to turn off their diesel generators while berthed, supporting the IMO’s targets for shipping to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050.
At the beginning of May, the Mediterranean became the fifth IMO Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides and particulate matter, which meant that ships operating in the area are now required to use marine fuel with a reduced sulphur content.
Toulon handles around 1,500 calls by ferries, cruise vessels, and cargo vessels annually.
With shore power now available, the city will be able to significantly reduce carbon, SOx and NOx emissions and noise at the berths, while shipowners 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 includes shore power for Marseille and Nice.
“Technically innovative, this project introduces a new smart grid network architecture using digital technology to manage energy flows from multiple interconnected sources,” said Frédéric Mestivier, designer and Technical Director of the electrification project for the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée.
“The infrastructure maximises overall energy efficiency while minimising the carbon footprint.”
The system, designed by Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolis, 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 20 kV Enedis grid line.
“It has been an honour to contribute to Port of Toulon’s success in leading this innovative installation,” said Marcus Martelin, Service Line Manager for Decarbonisation Services, ABB Marine & Ports.
“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 de-carbonisation in shipping,” he said.
ABB delivered a comprehensive scope of equipment, including battery energy storage and solar panel integration, as well as full engineering project management.
As a player in electric shipping and smart port technology, ABB offers a wide range of shore power solutions, including infrastructure onshore and on board vessels.
ABB’s shore connection technology has already been integrated by over 50 ports worldwide to drive maritime de-carbonisation.
