Demonstrating shore power for ferries and cruise ships
Sea Change will build and operate a new 15MVA shore power system serving the three largest berths at the port with a novel mobile cable management system.
Portsmouth International Port has brought together a substantial new project to showcase the opportunity for using shore power to support the adoption of battery technology on larger vessels in the port. This will aid the decarbonisation of the port and improve air quality.
These vessels, such as ferries and cruise ships, present an issue for the maritime sector when it comes to net zero targets. This is due to their substantial fuel and power requirements while idle or manoeuvring within the port itself.
There needs to be an innovative solution that can demonstrate and analyse the opportunity for the use of battery power, including local supply and charging. The solution could give real impetus to change in the industry and bring about significant environmental benefits.
About the project
The Sustainable Energy and Air quality improvement for Coastal Harbours to Achieve Net zero with Grid Enhancements (Sea Change) project focuses on the installation and demonstration of shore power for large vessels. This includes ferries and cruise ships. These large vessels could bring the biggest benefit in terms of cleaner power solutions.
The project is bringing together a unique digital solution to this key energy issue. It is combining charging infrastructure to provide real-world results, with an in-depth data dashboard for project partners to analyse and share key data on the success of the venture.
The project aligns with the UK government’s Clean Maritime Plan. It is focusing on a range of savings and benefits around air quality, fuel use and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions across the city and its expanding port.
The project scope
The project is headed up by Portsmouth International Port and includes a wide range of maritime experts and data specialists, including:
- IOTICS Labs
- Barter for Things
- University of Portsmouth
- MSE International
- Swanbarton
- Brittany Ferries
The project will demonstrate the charging solution and potential results on the vessels themselves.
Sea Change will build and operate a new 15 mega volt-amperes (MVA) shore power system serving the three largest berths at the port with a novel mobile cable management system. This will allow ferries and visiting cruise ships to plug-in to the port’s electricity grid and switch off their engines.
Reducing maritime emissions
The project will also support the charging of two new liquefied natural gas-hybrid electric ferries that will enter and leave the port under electric power. This will further demonstrate the opportunity to reduce maritime emissions, and also the system’s capability to power multiple vessel types, voltages and connectors simultaneously.
Both the onshore power systems and vessel battery charging technology will have smart controls in place. The controls will provide real-time telemetry and the communication of data to provide a thorough picture of carbon reporting and energy demand and provision needs. This will be achieved through a network of sensors, digital twins and systems among the project partners, creating a collaborative environment of analysis and data sharing.
Aims and ambitions
The Sea Change project has ambitious environmental targets for this shore power opportunity, with the aim of avoiding 20,000 tonnes of CO2e every year by 2027. The project is also looking into wider environmental aims, including measuring the benefits to air quality that come from cleaner power.
The key to all of this will be through demonstration and data analysis. In terms of hardware, the successful operation of the shore power berths will give valuable insight into the performance, adaptability and opportunities with this technology and equipment in the port and beyond. This is as well as the shore power berth interaction with a range of different cruise ships and ferries.
Port of innovation
The project partners are also looking to demonstrate the underlying value of the work that will help elevate Portsmouth as a port of innovation. The aim is to work with other ports on their opportunity for adopting similar technology and practices. The project will do this through shared learnings gathered from the data throughout the project, including demand and impact at various times.
Looking at the UK opportunity, Eleanor Toyer, Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator at Portsmouth International Port, said:
Success in this space has such potential that it could help the UK leapfrog the rest of the world in how large vessels are powered in port. We have a real opportunity to prove what we can do and create new connections and engagement to help bring the sector together in this common net zero goal.
About the funding
This project is part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) scheme, funded by UK government.
As part of ZEVI, the UK Department for Transport has allocated £80.4 million funding to 10 projects. The project will build clean maritime vessel and infrastructure solutions by March 2025 and operate them until March 2028. The projects are supported by 52 organisations across the UK and will leverage over £40 million private investment.
The ZEVI scheme is part of the department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme. UK SHORE is a £206 million initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector. The ZEVI scheme is delivered by Innovate UK.