Nexus PowerPack for fully-electric Van Oord dredging
Taking place close to shore, more dredging operations could soon be powered by shoreside electricity (Source: Buoy Communications)
Nexus Energy recently contributed its PowerPack technology to a ground-breaking pilot project at the seaport of Dordrecht, aiming to explore the potential of fully electric dredging operations. In collaboration with Van Oord, ZEDHub, Smart Delta Drechtsteden, the Municipality of Dordrecht, and the Port of Rotterdam, the project saw the retrofit of the crane vessel Christiaan P, transitioning it to an all-electric operation.
The vessel was equipped with mobile battery systems of 870kWh, and Nexus’ hydrogen-powered PowerPack, which enables battery recharging with zero emissions, even while the vessel is active. The PowerPack uses PEM fuel cell technology, backed by a battery system to handle peak power demands and enhance overall efficiency.
The project’s scope included testing various factors, such as energy consumption at different speeds and dredging conditions, as well as the feasibility of continuous battery charging via hydrogen during operations. The pilot also assessed the vessel’s ability to charge batteries from shore power and its onboard generator.
