How can ports reduce energy costs?

ESSOP has explored two ways in which ports can minimize their energy costs by using energy storage: • Optimising how to use PV solar generation to offset grid electricity. The wholesale price of energy varies every half-hour, and on a time-of-day tariff this variation is passed onto users.

Why is energy storage a critical port function?

Ensuring availability of these electrical resources to meet loads which are intermittent and uncertain is becoming a critical port function. It requires investment in multi-vector energy supply chains, energy storage in ports and their associated energy management systems.

What is a shore power facility?

Shore power facilities will generally form part of a wider port energy network including electric power for port assets and back-up power generators. Ports that have a high-power grid connection (or could upgrade their connection at reasonable cost) do have the option of supplying shore power directly from the grid.

How can ports reduce the dependence on grid-supplied electricity?

To minimize the dependence on grid-supplied electricity, ports are also investing in renewable generation notably PV solar on warehouse roofing and parking areas. Energy storage is also needed to optimize utilization of in-port generation and avoid curtailment when generation exceeds the available demand.

What is Essop & why is it important?

ESSOP has been designed to shed some light on these questions. For ports interested in electricity storage (for example, to reduce the peak load on their local distribution network) it is important to assess the different storage technologies available against their through-life cost. ESSOP has considered six different options:

What is the best solution for a port?

The optimal solution for a port depends on multiple factors including: capacity of grid connection and cost of potential expansion of connection capacity; access to in-port renewable energy resources; types of vessel requiring shore power and their duty cycle.