Finland-headquartered marine power electronics company The Switch says it has secured more than 50 new contracts for its latest-generation The Switch DC-Hub.
The company considers this underscores its growing popularity as a preferred power distribution solution for future-proof, flexible and low-emission vessels.
All but one of the orders involve battery solutions, ranging from plug-in hybrids to fully electric vessels, across a variety of ship types, including product carriers, ferries, ro-ro vessels, offshore vessels, cruise ships and container ships.
The contracts have been awarded via systems integrators, with more than 60% of end customers being European shipowners, 50% of which are located in Norway. This is said to indicate that The Switch DC-Hub fits into the region’s strong push toward greener shipping and compliance with tightening emissions regulations.
Teemu Heikkilä, Product Line Director, Power Electronics, The Switch, said: “Our DC-Hub is all about efficiency, flexibility and future readiness. By designing optimal DC distribution for each vessel, we can improve efficiency. This leads to lower fuel consumption while increasing system redundancy. Batteries are the obvious driver for our DC-Hub, because they perfectly complement each other. This combination ensures efficient utilisation of energy in every condition, reducing operational costs and the need for maintenance.”
The design philosophy behind the Switch DC-Hub is ‘to do more with less’ – helping shipowners simplify maintenance and improve overall system efficiency. One feature is the plug-and-play flexibility, enabling easy connection to batteries, fuel cells, shaft generators or even entirely new energy sources as they become viable, as the industry transitions toward zero emissions.
Heikkilä added: “We’re giving shipowners a product platform that’s ready for anything the future holds. Whether it’s integrating advanced energy storage, switching to green fuels or adding entirely new technologies, the DC-Hub is built to evolve along with the industry’s needs.”
The following are cited as advantages of The Switch DC-Hub:
- Fuel savings and lower emissions: By running gensets at optimal loads, the system cuts fuel use and emissions from day one.
- Space and weight savings: Compact design frees up valuable space compared to bulky AC switchboards.
- Simpler integration: Flexible, modular system works with batteries, fuel cells and generators – today and tomorrow.
- Redundancy and safety: Independent connections to each power source increase system redundancy, enhancing operational safety.
- Future-proof design: Evolving with future energy sources and regulatory demands.
Heikkilä concluded: “The key to sustainable shipping is smarter electrification products. By combining our DC-Hub with our suite of ultrafast protection devices, we’re enabling vessels to achieve both immediate fuel savings and long-term future-proofing, positioning them for compliance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.”
Image: Installation of The Switch DC Hub (source: The Switch)
