- Zero Emission Services Provides Innovative Shore Power Solution.
- Moveable Batteries Prove Feasible for High-Demand Sea Vessels.
- Government-Backed Pilot Aims to Improve Urban Air Quality.
Steinweg Beatrix Terminal has recently carried out a successful pilot project with mobile battery containers with shore power, connecting vessels from the Cargow shipping company. The project is part of a follow-up to a previous trial that was performed at Parkkade late last year and in the first few months of 2020 reports Port of Rotterdam.
Increased Energy Demand and Operational Setting
Compared to the other test that took place at a public dock, the Cargow ships involved in this test showed much greater energy demand.
Most importantly, this test was performed on an operational terminal, which meant that it offered a much more practical, high-demand operating environment for shore power solutions.
Zero Emission Services and Moveable Battery Technology
The pilot sourced its battery containers from Zero Emission Services, a firm that has been very active in proving the concept of inland vessels as battery-electric powered.
This pilot is an opportunity for ZES to set up a new revenue stream source through the moveable shore power solution, particularly where this shore power connection is not applicable.
Technological Integration and Logistics Optimization
In the first place, the pilot served as a testing ground for the market parties to test and develop their technologies.
Both shore-based and vessel-based technological parts had to be integrated, while the logistics of the moveable battery concept had to be optimized. These would represent the feasibility of using moveable batteries instead of traditional shore power connections.
Logistical Concerns and Feasibility Issues
Although technically possible, it is very costly compared to a standard shore power connection. Thus, it may be acceptable only for locations where grid electricity is not available very remote areas or sites where there is grid congestion.
Government Incentives and Air Quality Improvement Targets
Partial financing for this pilot was from subsidies from the Nationaal Samenwerkingsprogramma Luchtkwaliteit (National Air Quality Cooperation Programme), launched to clean up the polluted air in urban areas.
Future Perspectives and Other Areas of Application
This pilot was coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority while working in cooperation with the Municipality of Rotterdam, which is now eyeing further applications of moveable shore power solutions.
This is because moveable shore power solutions would be more beneficially applied especially where flexible and moveable shore-based systems might be a better option than fixed shore connections, like in places experiencing congestion in the grid.
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Source: Port of Rotterdam
