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Waller Marine has played an important role in the reintroduction of the Floating Power Plant (FPP) since the
late 1980’s when the Company was asked to inspect the power barge “Impedance”; a barge constructed with
steam generating technology that was first used in the Philippines by the US Army in 1940.
Since then, the idea has lain dormant; in fact it was not until the early 1990s when acute power shortages were
being experienced in several countries in South America and SE Asia that the concept was revisited. This
spurred the construction of several power barges designed with medium and slow speed diesel engines burning
heavy fuel oil, with installations in Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.
Heavy fuels were selected as the fuel of choice mainly due to cost and availability, with consideration being
given to simply meeting World Bank emissions standards being made at the time. Single barge designs ranged
from 30 MW up to 100 MW.
In the early 2000s, the capacity of the floating power plant was pushed to a much higher level with the design
and construction of a 220 MW combined cycle power barge that was installed in India. This barge used aero-
derivative gas turbine technology with heat recovery, inlet air chilling and a steam turbine generator produc-
ing a highly efficient plant that initially used naphtha as a fuel.
Floating power barge designs are now charting new territory with projects on the boards with capacities up to
550 MW using technologies that include combined cycle with industrial and aero-derivative gas turbines and
Integrated Gasification combined cycle (IGCC) schemes. Greater consideration is also being given to emis-
sions and different fuels, particularly as the cost of oil increases to higher levels. LNG, CNG and coal fueled
projects are now being considered for installation on FPPs.
Design Considerations
The barge, constrained in its moorings, can thus move vertically with the tides, river levels or storm surges,
without any rotational motion. The overall design and construction process are reviewed and surveyed by
third party organizations, the international Classification Societies, such as Lloyds Register, the American
Bureau of Shipping and others, that not only ensure engineering compliance with Class Rules, but also com-
pliance with international protocols concerning pollution and emissions. The completed vessel receives a Clas-
sification as a “Power Barge”.
However with modern structural marine engineering and construction capabilities coupled with and under-
standing of power generation concepts, the two industry technologies can be fully integrated to perform their
intended functions while afloat.
While floating power plants are generally designed for installation in protected waters, solutions to offshore
problems have given rise to the idea of open ocean installations. Design of such units is quite different for
these facilities since consideration has to be given to vessel motions, deep sea mooring systems, subsea fuel
supplies and survival in storm conditions. The generation of high voltage DC electricity and it’s subsea trans-
mission is also considered for offshore FPP installations.
Constructability
One of the biggest advantages of the power barge is it’s constructability; the whole power plant can be con-
structed under ideal conditions at a shipyard in a location far from the eventual operational site. Much of the
system testing is achieved prior to the barge leaving the shipyard. This feature is particularly important for
installation of barges in locations where Greenfield construction may be difficult and expensive.
Fuels
The economics of fuels for any power
plant, on land or floating, in any part of
the world is a matter of availability and
cost.
However, by virtue of its very description, the power barge is usually positioned in a coastal location where it
can be supplied from various sources by ocean transport, thus providing greater opportunity for lower cost
and cleaner burning fuel supply.
This permits the import of indigenous fuels
such as coal, LNG, orimulsion or condensate, if
at lower cost; even crude oil where available as
a local energy source may be used prior to re-
fining. Suitable floating storage facilities for
any fuel can be provided as needed.
Project Implementation
The dimensions of the barge are based upon the capacity and type of generating technology to be used but
are also based upon the capability to transport and deliver the barge to its operational site. Engineering and
construction of FPPs passes through the classification societies review and approval process and their con-
struction is continuously inspected by class surveyors.
Transportation
One of the more significant differences of a floating power plant to a land based plant is it’s transportability;
being capable of moving the unit from one location to another. This is achieved with the use of submersible
heavy lift ships, designed to move very large structures around the world weighing upwards of 60,000 tons.
FPP operations are carried out very much the same as land based facilities, with the plant being dispatched in
accordance with grid demand. Irrespective of the generating technology installed, the FFP is fitted with an
onboard control room complete with data acquisition and all machinery and equipment controls. Switchgear,
motor controllers, main breakers and station and step up transformers are all installed on the barge.
Waller Marine, Inc. has designed FPPs using every available generating technology for a worldwide clientele.
The Company has also manage the procurement and construction process and taken on complete EPC pro-
jects including delivery to site.
WALLER MARINE, INC.
14410 W. Sylvanfield Dr.
Houston, TX 77014
PH: 281.444.9650
FX: 281.444.8055
www.WallerMarine.com