Bakker Sliedrecht integrates energy storage systems on Boskalis’ diving support vessels

Bakker Sliedrecht has implemented energy storage systems (ESS) on the board two Boskalis diving support vessels (DSVs), BOKA Atlantis and BOKA Da Vinci.

The installation of ESS is said to cut fuel use, as well as reduce the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the vessels by up to 20%. It also offers power and energy storage when the vessels are docked, aiding quieter and more efficient offshore operations, said the company.

Both vessels underwent conversion at the Boskalis Service Center quay in Rotterdam. 

Bakker Sliedrecht provided a package, encompassing a battery pack, power converter system, transformer, switchboard panels, ESS control system with several functionalities (spinning reserve, peak shaving, ramp rate control, state of charge management, and battery management), and system design, engineering, production, integration, and commissioning services.

“We managed to limit the out-of-service time of these vessels, from arrival of the vessels up to completed sea trials and class approval, to less than 2 months for the whole ESS implementation,” said Andy Waterstreet, Project Director at Bakker Sliedrecht. 

“Careful offline preparation is than important, which included a detailed on-board survey on forehand and extensive in-house functional testing of the ESS at Bakker’s test facility.”

According to Bakker Sliedrecht, the power plant configuration was further optimized, resulting in additional reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, and running hours.

“For DP-2 vessels performing very safety critical operations like these vessels, redundancy and safe operations are key in every design choice,“ said Edwin de Koning, Account Manager at Bakker Sliedrecht.

“This was achieved by early involvement of and close cooperation with DNV-GL, execution of extensive failure mode effect analysis and sea trials.”

Despite the fact that the vessels were not originally equipped with Bakker Sliedrecht’s diesel-electric power plant, the integration process, both physically and functionally, was carried out smoothly, said Bakker Sliedrecht. 

In early 2023, Boskalis stated it had committed to becoming climate-neutral throughout its worldwide operations by 2050.

The company commissioned a large-scale shore power facility back in November 2023, at its premises in the Waalhaven in Rotterdam. The premises were strategically built on the site where vessels come for maintenance and mobilization for offshore projects. 

Following this commitment, moored Boskalis’ vessels began switching off their diesel-powered generators, and using green shore power.