E-Hybrid RTGs for the future

Earlier in the year, Konecranes launched its E-Hybrid RTG, a machine that runs entirely on onboard batteries charged by grid electricity. Speaking at TOC Americas in Panama in October, Alfredo Bouza, VP Sales & Marketing at Konecranes, said the machine is the next logical step from hybrid and E-RTG cranes that are familiar in the market today.

Konecranes has now delivered over 200 hybrid RTGs that use a small diesel genset to charge a battery, whereas its full E-RTG cranes use electrical power for the crane functions and can be supplied with or without a small genset for moving between yard blocks.
 

Next step

One of the major appeals of Konecranes E-Hybrid technology is that it can be configured in different ways for fully electric operation with zero tailpipe emissions. The E-Hybrid RTG is a battery-driven machine. Batteries are the primary source of power. Electricity from the grid is only used to charge the battery when needed, not to power the main functions of the crane directly.

Speaking to WorldCargo News at TOC Americas in Panama, Alfredo Bouza explained that although there is “nothing new” in terms of technology on the E-Hybrid RTG, the combination of proven battery and E-RTG systems can save terminals a considerable amount in infrastructure.

The E-Hybrid delivers the full operational performance of a diesel or E-RTG system with a much lower peak power demand. Each machine has a peak power demand of only 60kW from the grid, compared to 400kW for an E-RTG without a battery system. There is no requirement for a transformer on the RTG, and the cable reel or busbar system can be much lighter. Furthermore, fewer substations are required, with one substation able to power up to 15-20 RTGs.

For terminals that are considering RTGs but are concerned about equipment outages in the event of blackouts, the E-Hybrid offers a high level of autonomy. Depending on terminal requirements, the battery can be sized for two, four or eight hours of continuous operation.

A battery-powered machine can ­operate in yard areas where there is no power supply for periods of time, but Bouza said terminals will still want to cover all of the RTG blocks with busbar or cable reel technology. The E-Hybrid RTGs can travel under their own power between yard blocks, but, ideally, the number of block changes should be minimised. Busbar systems with a “drive-in” type connector are ­available. However, for a cable reel system, the reeling cable must be unplugged and reconnected after every block change. Bouza added that the ­optimum way to operate E-Hybrid RTGs is with a yard plan that keeps the number of block changes to a minimum.
 

Success in India

Konecranes has not disclosed the customer, but it has reported an order for 30 RTGs with E-Hybrid technology for a “leading container terminal in India.” The cranes will be delivered in Q1 2027.

The terminal has selected a busbar-and-battery configuration. The RTGs are fully powered by onboard battery packs, allowing continued operations, even if grid power is lost. The batteries are charged dynamically by the busbar power supply based on need during operation.

“This greenfield project shows how far Konecranes E-Hybrid technology has come. We’re demonstrating to the wider container handling industry that large terminals can now launch with fully electric operations, even if their grid supply is unreliable. This is a new reference point for terminal design and investment in Ecolifting,” said Shyam Pathak, Sales Director, Konecranes, Port Solutions.

 

*This story first appeared in the November print issue of WorldCargo News.