The British Ports Association (BPA) on Friday (29 May) published new research examining the barriers to shore power in UK ports, setting out three proposals to support the industry to meet ambitious emissions reductions targets.
Shore power, also known as cold ironing, is the provision of shore-based electricity to ships at berth, allowing them to turn off their auxiliary engines, it explained.
These auxiliary engines are used for crew and passenger accommodation and cargo operations (such as pumps or heating or cooling systems) and typically use a type of diesel. Shore connections either provide power from the grid or nearby generation sources.
They are commonly fixed at one berth but mobile solutions (by barge) are also in operation.
BPA notes that there are currently no large scale shore power connections in UK ports, due to the prohibitively high capital costs associated with such projects.
The price of electricity in the UK and a general lack of consistent demand also means that there is rarely a commercially viable business case for investing in shore power.
Such systems, however, have the potential to significantly reduce emissions from ships at berth.
BPA’s report identifies three primary barriers and three proposed solutions:
Primary Barriers
BPA’s Proposals
“Shipping remains the most efficient way to move freight to, from, and around the UK,” said Mark Simmonds, Head of Policy at the British Ports Association.
“We recognise that whilst emissions from ports and ships are relatively small parts of the emissions puzzle, there is work to do to continue to bring them down.”
“Shore power is likely to play a role in reducing emissions from ships in ports in the future, but there are significant barriers to introducing it in UK ports.
“Government investment in green maritime to mirror investment in green vehicles is critical to helping the industry to continue to lower emissions.
“We believe that a green maritime fund is needed to support decarbonisation in the ports and shipping sectors, but this alone will not overcome the challenges.
“We want to have a discussion about how a zero emission standard might help lower shipping emissions and bring greater certainty for ports and investors in low emission technology and infrastructure.”
Research undertaken by Arkevista for the BPA found that the total power usage of vessels at berth in the UK was over 641 Gigawatt hours of energy in 2019 – roughly 0.5% of the UK’s total energy demand, added the association.
The research was gratefully supported with advice, expertise and experience from a number of BPA associate members, including Arkevista, Arup, Schneider Electric, TT Club, and UK Power Networks Services.
“We welcome the British Ports Association’s report examining the barriers to shore power connections in the UK,” said Mike Hughes, Schneider UK & Ireland Zone President.
“Research shows that by plugging into the power grid with 100 per cent renewable electricity and turning off their auxiliary diesel engines, ships at berth in the UK could reduce emissions equivalent to taking between 84,000 and 166,000 diesel buses, or 1.2 million diesel cars off our roads.
“As we look for ways to support a green recovery, shore-to-ship solutions powered by green energy represent an easy win.”
A full copy of the BPA’s report is available here.
Photo credit: British Ports Association
Published: 2 June, 2020
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