Greening Port Operations - OPS for pelagic vessels

Emission reduction from vessels in port is crucial for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving environmental outcomes and public health in coastal towns and communities. Ports are implementing various strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime operations, focusing on emissions from vessels during their port stays.

Onshore power supply (OPS) to ships at berth is a well-established technology for certain ship types which helps reduce emissions in ports. It allows ships to shut down their engines and generators and use electricity generated onshore, which have significantly lower air pollutant emissions and, depending on the grid GHG emission factor, often also lower emissions of greenhouse gases.

The deployment of OPS requires a well-planned infrastructure capable of delivering sufficient electrical power to meet the demands of various vessels. This involves developing grid connections, substations, and, when necessary, frequency converters, along with installing shore connection panels.

A shore power system consists of two main components: the grid connection in the substation and the connection point. Depending on the selected system type, the connection point may be either stationary or mobile. Small and medium-sized ports must accommodate a diverse range of vessel types at their quays, and modular, scalable OPS systems can provide these ports with a viable solution.

As part of its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and ongoing efforts in electrifying its areas, the Port of Skagen has developed OPS to cater to the diverse needs of various ships, with a particular focus on the fishing industry. In addition to existing OPS solutions, the port is actively working on establishing a series of new OPS facilities to accommodate all fishing vessels, covering the most central and fishery-relevant quays.

As pelagic vessels transfer their catch to processing facilities, the significant fuel consumption involved leads to notable emissions of CO₂, SO_x, NO_x, and particulate matter. In response to this environmental challenge, the Port of Skagen is planning to implement a new Onshore Power Supply (OPS) capacity at its quays. This initiative entails developing an OPS facility dedicated to servicing the two landing terminals. The facility is designed to provide an OPS power output of 850kW through three 350A cable connections. It will be capable of accommodating a range of voltage levels (from 400V to 690V) and frequencies (either 50Hz or 60Hz). The infrastructure will be housed in a portable 10-foot container for enhanced flexibility and ease of deployment.

The upgraded OPS with the enhanced power capacity to accommodate the pumping and cooling activities of pelagic vessels will feature a semi-automatic, integrated crane system. This specialized crane system is designed to efficiently handle heavy power cables, facilitating the connection of vessels to shore power. The OPS project specifically addresses the challenge of achieving quick and efficient shore power connections, crucial for time-sensitive unloading processes. This is achieved through the introduction of automated systems and infrastructural enhancements.

The OPS solution for electrifying the pumping and cooling activities of pelagic landings is an integral part of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Blue Supply Chains initiative. Simultaneously, the cable management aspect of shore power is included in the Interreg North Sea Region project Green Supply Chains. These collaborative projects highlight the port’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions within the broader regional context.

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