Approaches to delivering energy supplies to Ships in Port – Efficient energy management

Looking for innovative solutions for delivering energy efficiently to ships whilst in port: solutions must consider the availability of energy supply and the different demands of ships and port side equipment to explore efficient means of managing the electrical energy supplies, which are not infinite and are often in high demand.

Opportunity Details

When

Registration Opens

12/02/2021

Registration Closes

25/03/2021

Award

The opportunity is for the company to present to a panel of the major port operators including the Royal Navy and their associates, to position the port operators to establish a budget to develop the products if selected.

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Background

The Innovation Exchange is delivered by KTN, which is supporting major ports to identify innovative solutions to the challenge of decarbonising ports & harbours. This challenge is brought forward by the Innovation Network for Decarbonising Ports and Harbours – for further details on the work of this Network and how you may connect to it, click here.

Introduction

The maritime sector has its part to play in the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions. KTN has assembled the Decarbonising Ports & Harbours Innovation Network (DPHIN) with an overarching objective to raise the profile of the critical role ports and harbours need to play in Maritime transport’s transition to net zero by 2050 and accelerate this transition by giving clear direction.

The Challenge

A working group of the DPHIN is examining the potential for innovative solutions to the problem of bringing energy supplies to ships in an efficient and cost-effective way. At present there is a niche market meeting the small demand for shore-based power, which is mainly arising from the international cruise ship market. Current demand is intermittent and only for the larger power demand end of the market. This creates an oversized solution with high capital costs and long payback periods (>100 years), which makes it untenable for many ports to invest.

The demand for land-based solutions for energising port side equipment and delivering energy to ships and vessels whilst in port is diversifying and growing. The energy used for port side operations is mainly related to lighting, personnel transport, lifting and cargo moving equipment. The energy used for ships is to allow the ship to shut down the carbon producing engines and keep all the systems within the ship working. Operations on board ship might include lighting, heating, cooling, powering ship control and communication systems and lifting/moving or processing cargo. In the future this is expected to be extended to include re-energising of the visiting ships and port operation vessels.

Proposals are welcome for:
• Existing market-ready technologies
• Established solutions from other sectors of industry which can be adapted for this application.
• Development proposals based on existing competences.
• Universities, RTO’s and Catapults with above TRL 5 solutions.

This challenge is sponsored by the following organisations which have a vested interest in engaging with potential solution providers who can meet their requirements:

ABP Limited, BAE Systems, Port of Cromarty Firth, Forth Ports Limited, Port of London Authority, Vattenfall Networks.

Rewards and benefits

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to the Challenger. The package may also include:
• Support from KTN and members of the Port Innovation Network – Introductions to relevant Catapults or potential collaborations and any applicable funding streams.
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot.
• Technical support from Port Operators with support from their business teams as required.
• A place in KTN or Catapult events
• A potential business collaboration

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