Cold Ironing: Ports of Naples and Salerno

DBA PRO. designed (Final Preliminary Design) the high voltage shore connection systems (HVSC) in the cruise terminals of the ports of Naples and Salerno. By connecting directly to the port electricity grid, these systems will allow cruise ships to switch off their engines while docked, significantly reducing the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere.

Port of Naples: The HVSC plant in the Port of Naples, strategically located at the Molo Angioino, is designed to power two cruise ships in accordance with international standards (IEC 80005-1 standard), for a total maximum power of 35 MW. Its operational flexibility is guaranteed by its ability to power cruise ships with nominal voltages ranging from 6.6 kV to 11 kV, at frequencies of 50 Hz and 60 Hz. The docks involved in this intervention are:

- Quay 1: Berth no. 5 (length 192 m)

- Quay 2: Berths no. 6 and no. 7 (total length 300 m)

- Quay 3: Berths Nos. 9, 10 and 11 (total length 387 m).

The design of the system has been carefully calibrated to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment, integrating into the existing operational and port context.

Port of Salerno: The Port of Salerno, in particular Molo Manfredi, will be equipped with an HVSC system designed according to the latest technical standards. The system will include, among other things:

- A receiving and sorting cabin, responsible for managing the electricity arriving from the grid.

- A conversion cabin, essential for adapting the voltage and frequency of the electrical energy to the specific needs of the ships.

- A cabling infrastructure that connects the cabins to the docks, allowing the power supply of the ships moored at berths 2 and 3, for a total length of approximately 350 metres.

The project took into account the peculiarities of the specific context and in particular the operation of the Manfredi Pier of the Port of Salerno, which is the city's gateway for the flow of tourists arriving by sea on large cruise ships. In particular, along the Molo there is the Maritime Station built on the basis of the project by the well-known architect Zaha Hadid; the work, of considerable architectural value, required special attention to minimise the impact on the site.

Overall, for both interventions, the electrical and special systems designed were: medium voltage electrical system with transformation to low voltage and relative distribution, main and secondary switchboards with electrical distribution system, normal and emergency lighting system, FM system, earthing, uninterruptible power supplies, fire detection, frequency conversion for 50Hz or 60Hz ship power supply. The project also provides for the monitoring and control of all the plant engineering subservient to the Cold Ironing plant to automate ship-to-shore connection operations, reducing operating times and risks related to possible errors in the manoeuvring of electrical equipment. As far as the automation system is concerned, the IEC 80005-2 standard (Utility connections in port - Part 2: High and Low voltage shore connection systems - Data communication for monitoring and control) applies.

The mechanical systems are designed to ensure the proper functioning of the electrical and electronic equipment to be installed inside the newly constructed cabins.  They consist of switchboard room cooling and ventilation (frequency converters, MV switchboards, LV switchboards, UPS and batteries) and transformer room mechanical ventilation.