Bilbao Port and VINCI Energies Spain place their trust in Ormazabal and Ingeteam to electrify the docks at the Port of Bilbao

The use of OPS technology will allow the supply of electricity to ships from the electrical grid at docks A-5.1 and A-6.1, without the need to keep auxiliary engines running and eliminating all noise, vibrations and emissions

• The joint solution responds to the strategic plan of the Port of Bilbao to electrify up to 11 berths.

• Both companies have established themselves as leaders in OPS-type solutions, having supplied their technology for the electrification of the Port of Cadiz last year.

The electrification of European port activity has emerged as one of the major technological challenges for the operators of these infrastructures, who, amidst the growth of maritime transport, must comply with European regulations to guarantee their ecological transition and eliminate environmental pollution, both in the ports and in the surrounding populations.

The BilbOPS project is a strategic investment aimed at electrifying the docks with 11 connection points.integrating the generation of renewable energy from 4 photovoltaic plantsBilbao Port and VINCI Energies Spain have entrusted Ormazabal and Ingeteam with ensuring the medium-voltage power supply for ships docking at piers A-5.1 and A-6.1 of the Port of Bilbao, the main port infrastructure in northern Spain. This is the first phase of a project that will later cover all cruise ship, ferry, and container piers, incorporating solutions for both power supply and the control and protection of the port-ship interconnections themselves.

Ormazabal and Ingeteam will supply the first two connection points to electrify the ro-ro traffic berth at the Port of Bilbao. They will provide a comprehensive project, encompassing all necessary service and user layers, complete with a highly customized supply and a design focused on achieving plug-and-play functionality in the field.

These solutions, known as On-shore Power Supply (OPS), allow ships to be supplied with electricity from the port’s power grid without needing to keep their auxiliary engines running to generate it, thus eliminating all noise, vibrations, and polluting gases that are harmful to nearby population centers. Both companies deployed this technology last year in the Port of Cádiz, electrifying the passenger terminal.

Illustration 1. Graphic explanation of what a PAHO is (Source: Ormazabal)

Technical solution for port electrification (OPS Technology)

The joint solution from Omexom Spain, the energy infrastructure brand of VINCI Energies Spain, and its partners, Ormazabal and Ingeteam, enables a high level of engineering integration that will improve overall service quality, reducing commissioning times, increasing the simplicity and maintenance of the electrical connection, preventing installation errors in the field, and guaranteeing system operation at the most demanding quality levels. It will also contribute to a 25% increase in energy transfer.

Thus, the solution, developed jointly by Ormazabal and Ingeteam, is based on a grid connection center with outputs to two OPS facilities. The power supply is guaranteed by two transformers, which will reduce the incoming voltage from the grid; then, two converters manufactured by Ingeteam will set the operating frequency for the docked vessel; and finally, two more transformers will step up the voltage for distribution throughout the port.

Thanks to the expert knowledge of both companies, it has been possible to make the same step-up transformer deliver power to the ship in an automated way, which simplifies connection operations.

About the BilbaOPS project

The BilbOPS project, developed by the Port Authority of Bilbao, is a strategic investment aimed at establishing green corridors with ports in its area of ​​influence, primarily in Northern Europe. The first step involves electrifying the container, cruise ship, and ferry docks with 11 connection points, integrating energy generation from four photovoltaic plants. The ultimate goal is for at least 30% of the energy supplied to ships to come from renewable sources.

The Port Authority of Bilbao is financing the project with funds from the programsNEXT GENERATION and CONNECTING EUROPE FACILITY (CEF) of the European Union.

Thanks to BilbOPS, the Port of Bilbao will be closer to meeting the European Union’s “Fit For 55” targets, reducing the port’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. With this project and other complementary measures, the port will be able to achieve the 55% emissions reduction target set by the European Union for 2030. BilbOPS will allow for a significant leap forward in the Atlantic Arc, adapting the Port of Bilbao’s infrastructure and providing this new service.