Business

Bluenergy and partners launch tidal energy POV project off Raffles Lighthouse

Launch marks Bluenergy Solutions collaboration with local strategic partners such as MPA, IHPC and Ken Energy; project is expected to run for six months to supply clean tidal energy to the lighthouse.

Published

8 months ago

March 31, 2023

Admin

Singapore-owned company Bluenergy Solutions on Wednesday (29 March) announced the launch of its Proof of Value (POV) project.

The POV project, which entails a ‘Plug and Play’ solution that covers clean energy generation, storage and distribution, is located offshore - near the Raffles Lighthouse on Pulau Satumu, about 14 kilometres south of the main island of Singapore.

Projected to run for a period of six months, the key objectives of the POV project are (i) the supply of clean tidal energy to the Raffles Lighthouse (ii) the replacement of diesel consumption with clean tidal energy, generated in the waters near Raffles Lighthouse (iii) the reduction of carbon footprint through the decarbonisation of port waters and islands (iv) the proof of the technology’s commercial viability.

By harnessing the power of tidal currents, Bluenergy Solutions offer a predictable and clean alternative to fossil fuel-based power generation.

The technology can be combined with wind and solar to offer a total green energy solution. It also offers a proprietary digital platform, specifically designed for the marine energy sector. While monitoring energy generation, storage and distribution operations, it will also enable end users to purchase energy directly from the platform.

The launch also marks Bluenergy Solutions collaboration with local strategic partners such as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which has placed a purchase order for the energy generated; and A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) which jointly designed the hydrodynamic features of the tidal turbine; and Ken Energy, which contributes and operates the tidal energy platform by providing marine services expertise.

Dr Kenneth Burnett, Founder and Chief Executive, Bluenergy Solutions, said: “We thank MPA for their support from the beginning of the project and to have them as Bluenergy Solutions’ first customer. We also thank other Singapore and international companies who have supported us and with whom we collaborate.”

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, said: “This collaboration is a significant step towards electrification and decarbonisation of Maritime Singapore. By harnessing hydrokinetic energy from our waters, there is much to learn from this pilot, and we can assess its deployment potential during the scale-up phase.”

“MPA will conduct further hydrographic surveys and continue working with our research community and renewable energy solution enterprises such as Bluenergy Solutions, to test new technologies and seize more opportunities from green growth as we work towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Dr Su Yi, Executive Director, IHPC, said: “Tidal energy presents vast potential for future clean electricity generation contributing to net zero carbon economy, especially to locations with little or no access to a power grid. We are pleased to collaborate with Bluenergy Solutions to co-develop the tidal turbine using IHPC’s computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology to supply clean tidal energy to Raffles Lighthouse. This collaborative public-private partnership is a testament of leveraging A*STAR’s expertise in strengthening local companies’ capabilities to develop sustainable and innovative technologies which pave the way for new business opportunities.”

Desmond Chong, Managing Director, Ken Energy, said: “We are proud to contribute our marine expertise as an owner and operator of the platform which will demonstrate the potential of harnessing tidal energy for power generation in Singapore.”

Ken Energy is the renewables and sustainable energy arm of Singapore investment holding company Kendoo Group (https://kendoogp.com/).

Other supply chain partners include Systematic Engineering, Nippon Paint Marine, ClassNK and international organisations who are potential end-users and partners, such as Kyuden International Corporation, Kyuden Mirai Energy and NYK Group.

Mr Masakatsu Terazaki, Managing Director, Kyuden Mirai Energy, said: “We at Kyuden Mirai Energy believe that Bluenergy Solutions’ ‘Plug and Play’ system is a promising method for decarbonization providing green energy in wide range of field: marine industry (such as shipping, fishery and aquaculture), remote islands infrastructure and agriculture.”

“As a leading company in marine renewable energy development in Japan, conducting Japan’s first power generation demonstration project using tidal power, Kyuden Mirai Energy believe that Bluenergy Solutions’ system will play an important role in our future business strategy. We look forward to working with Bluenergy Solutions to bring this project to life.”

Mr Tomofumi Nakashima, Executive Director, Kyuden International Corporation, said: "We believe the POV project will demonstrate the potential of this tidal turbine solution as a renewable energy source which will contribute to the decarbonisation of society and benefit the health and resilience of communities, wildlife and the environment.”

“By utilising the knowledge gained from this project together with Bluenergy Solutions, we aim to further expand our distributed energy solutions overseas, as we recently have also invested in microgrid projects in remote communities and islands around the world."

Mr Toshi Nakamura, Executive Director, Green Business Group, NYK Line, said: “NYK is very proud to participate in the Raffles Lighthouse project. Since 2020, we have been a development partner with Bluenergy Solutions, and today we have great expectations for the future of tidal-power generation and its impact on decarbonisation of the maritime transport sector.”

Photo credit: Bluenergy Solutions
Published: 31 March, 2023

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

Panama-registered vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Published

22 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (28 November) said a Panama-registered tanker has been detained for illegally anchoring in East Johor waters on 27 November.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone acting director Maritime Cmdr Mohd Najib Sam said the tanker was detained by a patrol boat at 11am at 15.8 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Penawar.

The captain of the vessel failed to produce any documents that permission had been obtained to anchor in Malaysian waters.

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The vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The case will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission. If found guilty, individuals may be fined not exceeding MYR 100,000 or face an imprisonment term of not more than two years, or both.

Manifold Times previously reported law firm Oon & Bazul LLP sharing on steps shipowners should keep in mind before anchoring and conducting STS operations in Malaysian waters to avoid detention.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 29 November, 2023

Alternative Fuels

DNV paper outlines bunkering of alternative marine fuels for boxships

Third edition of its paper series focuses on LNG, methanol and ammonia as alternative bunker fuel options for containerships; explores bunkering aspects for LNG and methanol.

Published

22 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Admin

DNV paper outlines bunkering of alternative marine fuels for boxships

Classification society DNV recently released the third edition of its paper series Alternative fuels for containerships, focused on LNG, methanol and ammonia as alternative bunker fuel options for containerships.

In its updated paper series, DNV examined the different alternative marine fuel options and provided an overview of the most important technical and commercial considerations for the containership sector.

It explored the bunkering technology for LNG, bunkering infrastructure for methanol, and availability and infrastructure of ammonia.

Building on the foundation laid in the second edition, which focused on the most important aspects of methanol as a fuel, this latest third edition delves deeper – exploring the technical intricacies and commercial considerations associated with adopting methanol as an alternative fuel for containerships.

Furthermore, it provides an overview of crucial aspects related to ammonia and discusses its potential as an alternative fuel for containerships.

Amongst others, the new edition of the paper looks at the following aspects:

Technical design considerations for methanol
Commercial implications of adopting methanol as an alternative fuel
Ammonia's potential as an alternative fuel
Availability, infrastructure and ship fuel technology for ammonia
Major updates based on the latest IMO GHG strategy decisions at the MEPC 80 meeting

Note: The third edition of DNV’s full paper titled Alternative Fuels for Containerships can be found here.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 29 November, 2023

Alternative Fuels

EDF, LR and Arup launch tool scoring ports’ potential to produce and bunker electrofuels

Tool is also applied to three different port scenarios, including ports exploring fuel production and bunkering, ports exploring fuel exports, and ports exploring fuel imports and bunkering.

Published

22 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Admin

EDF, LR and Arup launch tool scoring ports’ potential to produce and bunker electrofuels

Lloyd’s Register (LR) Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), in collaboration with Arup, on Tuesday (28 November) introduced the Sustainable First Movers Initiative Identification Tool, a system to help shipping stakeholders align investment decisions that support the maritime energy transition away from fossil fuels.

The tool, which is presented in a preliminary findings report – The Potential of Ports in Developing Sustainable First Movers Initiatives – scores a port’s potential to produce and bunker electrofuels while delivering local environmental and community benefits in alignment with the global temperature target of 1.5 degrees Celsius set by the Paris Agreement.

“Ports can play an important role in kickstarting shipping’s decarbonisation process even before global policies are established,” said Marie Cabbia Hubatova, Director, Global Shipping at Environmental Defense Fund.

“By considering the impact sustainable first mover initiatives can have on port-side communities, climate, environment and economies, resources can be better directed to locations where these initiatives will make the biggest difference.”

With close to two billion people living near coastal zones globally, the role of, and impacts on local port communities must be intentionally considered as the sector decarbonises globally. Ports can play a crucial role in ensuring shipping decarbonisation efforts are done in a way that has positive impacts on port communities.

The preliminary phase of the Sustainable First Movers Initiative Identification Tool analyses 108 ports in the Indo-Pacific region according to five criteria including land suitability, air quality, renewable energy surplus, economic resilience and ship traffic.

It is also applied to three different port scenarios, including ports exploring fuel production and bunkering, ports exploring fuel exports, and ports exploring fuel imports and bunkering. The combined criteria and scenario evaluation determines which ports have the greatest potential (high potential) for sustainable first mover initiatives to lead to significant emissions reductions and positive impacts in nearby communities, such as improved air quality and economic resilience.

“The transition to clean energy supply for shipping can be achieved only if stakeholders act together. Identifying potential port locations is the first step in this process,” said Dr Carlo Raucci, Consultant at Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub. “This approach sets the base for a regional sustainable transition that considers the impacts on port-side communities and the need to avoid regions in the Global South lagging behind.”

Regions in the Global South are fundamental in driving the decarbonisation of shipping. To make this transition effective, the rate at which different countries adopt and scale up electrofuels must be proportional to the difference in capital resources globally to avoid additional costs being passed on to local communities. Sustainable first mover initiatives can play an important role in making this happen by ensuring the sector’s decarbonisation is inclusive of all regions and by engaging all shipping stakeholders, including port-side communities.

“There’s a huge opportunity for early adopter shipping decarbonisation initiatives to unlock benefits for people and planet – shaping the way for a more equitable transition in the 2030s,” said Mark Button, Associate, Arup. “Our collective approach shows that taking a holistic view of shipping traffic, fuel production potential and port communities could help prioritise action at ports with the greatest near-term potential.”

The tool can be customised according to stakeholders’ needs and goals and is dependent on scenario desirability. The next phase of this work will include the selection and detailed assessment of 10 ports to help better understand local needs and maximise the value offered by sustainable first mover initiatives.

LR and EDF carried out a joint study on ammonia as shipping fuel, and LR and Arup have collaborated on The Resilience Shift study focused on fuel demand for early adopters in green corridors, ports, and energy systems, amongst many other projects.

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 29 November, 2023