Peso smar t energy project

The Por t Energy Systems Optimisation (PESO) project has demons trat ed h ow p o r t s c a n u s e s m a r t g r i d technology and energy storage to d e c a r b o n i s e t h e i r a c t i v i t i e s , a n d reduce their adverse impact on air quality, more cost ef fectively than would other wise be possible

P o r t s m o u t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l P o r t , w o r k i n g w i t h Swanbarton, ESC and MSE International, piloted the PESO smart energy system as part of a strategy to significantly decarbonise the por t’s energy operations The project, co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, has shown how port infrastructure can meet the UK Government’s ‘Clean Maritime Plan’ challenges cost effectively T h e P E S O t e c h n i c a l c a p a b i l i t y h a s b e e n demonstrated in a pilot system comprising a novel dual chemistr y batter y and a multi-level control system The control system includes an AI-based c a p a b i l i t y t h a t l e a r n s f r o m h i s t o r i c e n e r g y consumption profiles to ensure that the batter y can deliver as much energy as possible when demand is high The technology has been extended further by engineering a predictive ‘digital twin’ model that can ensure the batter y has storage capacity to fully utilise energy generated by on-site renewable

“We don’t want to be standing on the side-line when the transition takes place we want to be leading the way, and we ’ re also seeing our customers increasingly requesting sustainable transpor t operations With that in mind, this was a pretty easy decision to make,” says Johan Söderström, CCO at Skaraslättens Transpor t Even though electrical power is a superior alternative with regard to the carbon footprint, it is not an investment to be made without meticulous planning Heavy electric trucks have different proper ties and are relatively expensive compared with their fossil equivalents “Economically, it’s a challenge, and it’s an investment with a longer payback time So customers that want to use our electric trucks for their transpor t needs are urged to sign longer agreements with us, which is something we find that they understand People are prepared to take a broader view and think outside the box,” says Johan Söderström

The new vehicles do of course also have limitations in terms of their range It’s a matter of finding the right flows and transpor t patterns, close to easily accessible charging infrastructure During the night, the vehicles will be charged at the por t’s vehicle terminal, which is operated by Logent Por ts & Terminals

The Por t of Gothenburg also has public charging facilities already available in the middle of the por t Cirkle K’s station at Vädermotet has six chargers for heavy trucks each with charging power of 360 kW In 2023, additional public charging stations will become available in the central areas of the por t

“It provides peace of mind to have public charging in the por t, to supplement our depotbased charging We’ll probably need to have some top-up charging capacity, but it’s difficult to say how much right now There’s only one way to find out exactly how it’s going to work in practice, and that’s to dive in and give it a go We’re now really full of anticipation, and it will be great to be able to show Gothenburg our new vehicles,” says Johan Söderström

Skaraslättens’ three electric trucks represent an impor tant milestone for the Por t of Gothenburg, yet at the same time they are just the beginning of a development that will accelerate during 2023, with more haulage companies and freight for warders preparing to deploy electric heavy trucks DFDS is one example, as they will be deploying many of the more than 120 electric heavy trucks they have on order in flows at the Por t of Gothenburg later this year This is a rapid development, which the Gothenburg Por t Authority welcomes and wants to continue to suppor t

“It’s really great to see the transition happening here and now From the por t’s perspective, it’s impor tant that we continue to lower the thresholds for those wanting to make the transition to a climate-smar ter transpor t system,” says Elvir Dzanic, CEO at the Gothenburg Por t Authority

2021 year saw the launch of the Tranzero Initiative project to increase the rate of transition in the transpor t sector, with a special focus on land-based transpor t to and from the por t The project is a collaboration between the Gothenburg Por t Authority, the Volvo Group, Scania and Stena Line In 2023, additional charging infrastructure will be available, and two hydrogen stations are to be built for heavy trucks Electric heavy trucks already have priority in many por t terminals, and additional Tranzero Initiatives are being prepared at the por t to offer greater incentives and speed up the transition generation or procured from the grid at times of low price This combined capability to minimise the cost of energy needed to supply vessels with energy and to drive the port’s own assets is a critical aspect of the PESO value proposition

The project has shown that PESO technology can offer value to a wide range of ports The prime ‘early adopter’ ports are likely to be in locations where vessels are obliged imminently to electrify in order to comply with policy developments in carbon emissions and air quality

Terminals and recharging sites will be required and PESO has a critical role to play in minimising costly impacts on the local grid It will do this by smoothing the power demand of the recharging sites and by prioritising as much power draw as possible at times of excess capacity in the grid (eg at night) The energy stored in PESO can then be made available to vessels when needed

Por ts have not traditionally been required to manage energy resources in this way PESO has explored a range of business models that may offer practical ways for ward for ports to take on this role Whilst ever y port will need to make its own choice depending on its access to different energy resources, it seems likely that most ports will contract with a third party provider to build and operate the PESO system A similar approach has already been adopted in other sectors such as EV fast-charger deployment

Windcat and Ene co anno unce partnersh ip and 5 year charter ag reem ent

Windcat and Eneco recently announced that a 5 year char ter and par tnership have been agreed. This long-term char ter will allow the safe transpor t of technicians of fshore and will also allow the companies to work together on decarbonisation of Eneco’s marine logistics using Windcat ’ s hydrogen dual fuel solutions. The first vessel for this char ter has been operational since the first of Januar y, 2023

Windcat and Eneco share many core values and future goals This new collaboration between Windcat and Eneco is therefore a logical next step The high per formance Windcat 32 vessel used for this char ter is a highly fuel-efficient vessel with high safety standards Going for ward, the use of hydrogen will be fur ther explored for fur ther reduction of emissions from crew transfer vessels Both Windcat and Eneco prioritise emission reduction Managing Director, Willem van der Wel commented: “With the Hydrocat 48, we invested heavily in emission reduction by using a dual fuel hydrogen engine, one of the reasons Eneco wanted to par tner with us Windcat looks for ward to this collaboration that will ensure the decarbonisation of Eneco’s logistics We will continue to work on developing the customised ser vice that meets Eneco’s needs ”

Windcat 32, the vessel used for this char ter, is fuel-efficient and will be used for the safe transpor t of technicians offshore The vessel will be customised to Eneco’s needs, amongst others by the installation of an IMO Tier III engine This engine uses a SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system which radically reduces NOx emissions The vessel will operate from IJmuiden and provide access to Eneco’s offshore wind farms: Prinses Amalia Windpark, Luchterduinen and Hollandse Kust Noord

Lead Asset Manager Offshore Wind, Renzo Schildmeijer said: “We are pleased to fur ther deepen and strengthen our relationship with Windcat with this new contract Both companies share many core values and future goals Windcat will be an impor tant par tner in decarbonizing our offshore logistics and delivering on our ambition becoming climate neutral in 2035 ”

Windcat offers in-house developed vessels with a full suppor t ser vice The engineering suppor t teams are experienced and prepared so that a quick response is guaranteed

Windcat has a large pool of critical spare par ts stored in strategic locations, including its largest warehouse in IJmuiden, giving them full control over spare par ts themselves

These suppor t systems are therefore a unique ser vice and are located in multiple sites around Europe Windcat also just obtained a DNV management system cer tificate which demonstrates Windcat’s effective management system processes, commitment to continual improvement and development towards more sustainable business functions

The par tnership allows for additional vessels to be used, to fur ther suppor t the existing projects and also new offshore wind farm projects that Eneco will be par t of www eneco com www windcatworkboats com