Power systems protected on world’s largest cruise ship

Eaton has supplied the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, with more than 20 uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) to assist in protecting the ship’s critical systems and applications. With a 40-year history of supplying the marine and offshore industry with power protection solutions, Eaton’s UPS systems are designed to safely, reliably, and efficiently operate the ship’s power system.

With a home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Allure of the Seas is a virtual city on the ocean, featuring seven distinct themed areas, including Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. She spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms.

“The size and scope of technological applications on the Allure of the Seas pose remarkable challenges to promoting the efficient flow of reliable, clean and safe power,” said Jorma Mannerkoski, vice president sales for Northern Europe, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. “Eaton is ready to answer those challenges with our industry-leading solutions, products and global service capabilities.”

Eaton delivered similar solutions to the Oasis of the Seas, which launched in November 2009 as the first Oasis-class cruise ship, but the Allure of the Seas will mark the first marine deployment of Eaton’s Energy Saver System technology. This solution is designed to increase the UPS efficiency up to 99% even when lightly loaded. The technology can enhance efficiency by up to 15% over the traditional model in the typical operating range, and by as much as five percent with heavier loads. This can result in significant energy cost savings.

The Allure of the Seas utilises a variety of Eaton’s double-conversion online UPSs to assist in protecting critical systems from disruptive power interruptions. The ship features the Eaton 9395 Marine UPS as well as the Eaton 9390, 9355 and 9155 Marine UPSs. Eaton also provided Intelligent Power Manager Software for system performance monitoring. The solutions provide a steady flow of power to the ship's massive navigation, computer, emergency lighting and heating/cooling systems as well as its many restaurants, casinos and theatres.