Port of Toulon completes installation of France’s largest shore power system from ABB
The commissioning of France’s largest-ever shore power solution for ships at the Port of Toulon has been completed. Operational since February 13, the installation is currently in its final acceptance period. The consortium responsible for delivering the installation was led by ABB, comprising also construction company Eiffage Construction and electrical installation company Fauché responsible for building and civil engineering services.
The facility now offers connections at 11kV and 6.6 KV voltage levels and frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz, supporting both cruise and ferry formats. This allows supporting port calls by three ferries simultaneously, or one cruise ship. In addition, the port is equipped with the necessary technology to connect a 1MW hydrogen fuel cell system Today, it is the only operational solution in France capable of simultaneously supplying multiple vessels – ferries and cruise ships alike – from a single conversion station, thanks to a digitalised smart grid network architecture.
The shore connection system, developed and led by the Métropole and implemented by ABB, allows ships to turn off their diesel generators in port, supporting the IMO targets for shipping to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 20501. As of the beginning of May, the Mediterranean has become the fifth IMO Emission Control Area for sulphur oxides and particulate matter, which means that ships operating in the area will be required to use marine fuel with reduced sulphur content.
The Port of Toulon handles around 1,500 calls from ferries, cruise vessels, and cargo vessels annually. With shore power available, the city will be able to significantly reduce carbon, SOx and NOx emissions and noise at berth. In addition, ship owners 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 include 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 innovative 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 20kV 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 decarbonisation in shipping.”
ABB has delivered a comprehensive scope of equipment, including battery energy storage and solar panel integration, as well as full engineering project management. As a leader in electric shipping and smart port technology, ABB offers a wide range of shore power solutions, including infrastructure onshore and onboard vessels. ABB’s shore connection technology has already been integrated by over 50 ports worldwide to drive maritime decarbonisation.