To provide a greener future for our planet, Phoenix Contact is already working to make its vision of the future a reality by “Empowering the All Electric Society”. The Global Industry Management Marine division is also contributing significant added value for the conversion to power generation from renewable sources. With solutions for green shipping, such as ecological battery management, it will be possible to implement electrical ship drive systems and to automate electrical nacelle drives. In addition, the maritime-certified components with an Ex design can be used to realize drive systems with highly explosive ecological fuels, such as green hydrogen and synthetic methanol. To be able to implement appropriate automation solutions, the corresponding automation portfolio for zone 1 and zone 2 must have maritime certification.
Future-oriented sailing
Exploiting the potential of unlimited wind power
To reduce emissions, you need alternative drives. Wind-powered ships already crossed the oceans centuries ago. It is also changing the future of maritime transport companies.
Using a kite to supplement regular ship propulsion can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. Requirements for this are new technologies and reliable automation technology. With our PLCnext ecosystem, weather data, vessel speed, and routes are collected and evaluated automatically. The kite is deployed safely via push button technology from the bridge.
The protection of people and machinery is also guaranteed at all times thanks to the new, economical, and compact PLCnext Safety controller.
Energy always in view with intelligent battery management
From harbor tugs to ferries, the desire to operate ships self-sufficiently and without emissions is becoming more and more prevalent. E-mobility is the key phrase here. But how can you best use all-electric solutions to reduce costs and emissions?
Being on water places special demands on the energy storage system to ensure a redundant drive and on-board power supply. Fluctuations in the mains supply, interfering signals, and constant vibrations from the ship’s propulsion and generators must be taken into account and automatically compensated for during operation. Battery management plays a crucial role. The complexity of the solution differs depending on your requirements and the type of vessel.
Phoenix Contact provides the right components for monitoring, safety, and communication to ensure a redundant and reliable drive and on-board power supply.
Sailing into the maritime future with hydrogen fuel cells
Fuel cells offer the ability to generate electrical energy directly on board – with low emissions, noise, and vibrations. The automation of fuel cells is therefore a road map for sustainable shipping. This is an important factor, as more and more coastal regions and port areas are subject to strict environmental regulations.
Whether you want to retrofit a maritime application with fuel cells or are planning a new vessel, we are here to help you deploy sustainable and scalable maritime hydrogen fuel cell systems. We will take care of the digitalization, automation, and monitoring of your application.
A variety of protocols can be used for easy connection to the ship’s control system. Thanks to PLCnext Technology, you have a simple and open programming environment at your disposal. Cybersecurity measures in accordance with IEC 62443 ensure that your data is protected.
Phoenix Contact is a member of the “European Clean Hydrogen Alliance” (ECH2A). In addition to the production, transport, and distribution of hydrogen, the alliance also focuses on applications for industry and mobility. This means that Phoenix Contact is your reliable partner for the development and deployment of sustainable and scalable maritime hydrogen fuel cell systems.
Hydrogen fuel cells in the shipping industry
We will help you to automate, electrify, and digitalize the processes surrounding power-to-X.
Our solutions are already being used in the maritime industry today. Learn more about how many of our applications also meet the requirements of the hydrogen industry.
Years of experience and industry-specific expertise result in outstanding solutions for your industry.
Learn more about our open and reliable technologies for a sustainable future.
The new 5G, APL, TSN, and OPC UA technologies together form the communication of the future. Because this is the only way to ensure that data points can be networked securely, simply, and quickly.
We are actively involved in all of the key standardization committees. In these committees, we are shaping a new, cross-manufacturer communication standard for automation.
In order to meet the high demands on IT security, the installation of firewalls at one point or another in the critical infrastructure is not sufficient. To minimize all cybersecurity risks, it is important to define protection goals. These protection goals are based on the established IEC 62443 standard “IT Security for Industrial Automation Solutions”.
As a certified ICS security service provider, we will provide you with sustainable support. The holistic approach also includes product development focused on security.
Managing risks is not only essential when looking at protecting the environment and people. It is also important for maintaining systems and thus securing investment. Along with the safety integrity level (SIL), the performance level (PL) also plays an important role in the use of automated safety systems. Decentral, flexibly configurable solutions such as SafetyBridge technology are already being used today in SIL3 applications in various applications. They can be easily integrated into the controller.
Benefit from our safety controllers for complex applications that enable integration into Profisafe and Profinet networks. You can therefore implement safe shutdown, safe gas detection, and other functional safety functions regardless of the manufacturer. In addition, our components provide surge protection. Cameras monitor the decentral infrastructure and security. We also support you with comprehensive training programs.
The flammable gases that are generated, transported, and stored as part of power-to-X applications bring with them a key safety issue. If they escape unnoticed, an explosive or toxic atmosphere can develop. Appropriate sensor technology and gas warning devices are necessary to warn personnel in such cases. In addition, factory traffic is not allowed to pass through these areas. To control the traffic, we will couple your traffic light systems to the gas detectors via suitable transmission technology.
Phoenix Contact will provide you with a comprehensive selection of products and solutions for the requirements in potentially explosive areas. Our products range from PCB terminal blocks and PCB connectors through to Ex terminal blocks, Ex signal conditioners and measuring transducers, all the way to surge protection and I/O systems.
