Hybrid-Electric Cargo Transfer Crane to Be Tested in Japan
27 August 2006
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The hybrid-electric transfer crane. |
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Lines) and TCM Corporation are testing the use of a hybrid-electric transfer crane that has been jointly developed by the two companies.
A transfer crane loads and unloads containers in container terminal yards in ports. Diesel engines typically provide the power for moving the cranes and loading/unloading the shipping containers.
Hybrid-electric transfer crane | |
---|---|
Length | 11.1 meters |
Width | 25.8 meters |
Height | 21.4 meters |
Weight | 140 tons |
Working load | 40.6 tons |
The test experiment will be conducted at NYK’s Tokyo Container Terminal in Shinagawa for 12 months starting in mid-September.
The diesel engine used as a generator for the hybrid system is smaller than the engine in conventional cranes. Electricity regenerated during transfer operations is stored in a battery pack for subsequent use.
NYK and TCM estimate that both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be reduced by 40%.
Reducing diesel emissions from such cargo handling equipment is one of the environmental priorities for ports. The Port of Seattle, for example, converted its cranes from diesel to electric.
Resources:
Sustainable Design for the Cargo Handling Terminal of the Future (JWD Group)
Port of Seattle Maritime Air Quality Program Status Report (2004)
rock on seattle. now they just need to provide something vaguely similar to a usable mass transit system.
hybrid for a fixed platform sounds like half of a good solution. why bother with the diesel at all? surely electricity provides better control, reliability, more predictable (and prob lower) running costs, easier logistics, etc.
maybe diesel has a lower installation cost? perhaps some areas just like soot? gives an area a nice turn-of-the-century London feeling? (reference to London's man-made coal fog)
Posted by: shaun mann | 27 August 2006 at 07:48 AM
At the risk of being pedantic...
Energy generated when lifting containers is saved in an electric storage device and recycled.
Isn't energy "generated" when lowering containers, not lifting them?
Posted by: stomv | 27 August 2006 at 01:20 PM
Japan pig!
Posted by: seagull | 06 September 2006 at 04:56 AM