Aker Yards Marine has been designing floating power plants (FPP’s) since 1989 with a total of six medium- speed diesel powered FPP’s having been built to date by a variety of shipyards for a variety of Owners. The plants which have been built range in capacity from 40MW to the latest at 124MW.

These diesel powered FPP’s have the following typical key features:

• Simple modular engine layout, best suited for rapid construction.
• Designed and engineered specifically for local environmental requirements i.e. stack height, wind conditions, shore noise limits, seawater temperature heating limits, etc.
• Designed in accordance with marine Classification Society rules (with choice of ocean or harbor classification).
• With or without electrical substation on board.
• Air-conditioned workshop and crew facilities provided, tailored to suit Owner’s requirements.
• Minimum 1 ½ days fuel stored on board with optional increased storage capability if required.
• Waste heat utilizing steam plant for heavy fuel heating.

In addition to diesel powered FPP’s, AYM has developed a number of concept designs for combined cycle and cogeneration plants based on aeroderivative and industrial gas turbines.

These currently range up to 150MW but the concept can be stretched to higher outputs. 

Why a Floating Power Plant?

In response to this often asked question, there are a number of situations where a floating power plant can be the optimum solution. Some of these are:

For sites in developing nations, the floating power plant can be constructed more cost effectively and rapidly on an industrial site in a fully developed country and then transported to site.

The mobility of the plant can make it easier and less costly to arrange financing for the plant.

If the cost of Real Estate is very high but water frontage is available, the floating power plant can provide a cost effective alternative to the conventional land-based power plant.

The floating power plant can provide a relatively rapid answer to an increase in market demand for power in advance of new, land based plants coming on-line.

The Future

AYM foresees great potential for the further development of the floating plant concept.  In the coming years, AYM will continue to develop the floating plant concept by assisting clients in finding economically viable and environmentally sound solutions to new and varied markets. In particular, AYM sees hybrid plants as a new and challenging market where power and environmental services may be combined.