Damen has successfully delivered two electrically powered booster stations to the German dredging contractor Johann Bunte Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG.
The zero emission high efficiency drive of the boosters marks an important step in the energy transition, going from diesel to green power.
According to Damen, both boosters will start on their first project in Niedersachsen, Germany in August.
The identical boosters have been designed and built by Damen Dredging Equipment (DDE).
The containerised unit houses the Damen dredge pump, which is driven by a 1,095 kW Siemens electro motor, through a gear box. In a separate space the frequency drive and switch board are located.
“The booster stations receive their power via a local 690 V AC power cable. They can be operated from the dredge using remote control, including automatic control of the multiple dredge pumps. Each booster has the size of a 30’ container for practical relocation,” said Damen.
A Niedersachsen motorway project will be the maiden job for the silent boosters. They will work behind the stationary dredger Pirate II, and will pump sand over a distance of 7.6 kilometres through a nature reserve to the new A26 motorway near Hamburg.
The electric boosters represent just one element of Damen’s own strategy to become the most sustainable shipbuilder in the world.
The company has developed a number of solutions for improved environmental efficiency, including a fully electric cutter suction dredger, capable of zero emission dredging projects.