OPS is a rapidly growing weapon in a port’s arsenal to combat
emissions. In June 2021, European ports including Antwerp, Bremerhaven,
Hamburg, Haropa Port and Rotterdam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
to “enable maximal deployment” of OPS for its container segments by 2028.
And, the adoption of OPS will increase further as national
and international governments look to meet climate goals: in July 2021, the
European Commission published an updated FuelEU Maritime set of proposals, to
be carbon-neutral by 2050.
The new FuelEU Maritime proposals require all EU ports with
over 50 annual containership calls over the past three years to have OPS output
to cover at least 90% of that energy demand.
In PTI Journal Edition 105, we analysed some of the key
sustainable initiatives ongoing in ports and maritime currently.
What is onshore power?
The European Alternative Fuels Observatory defines OPS as:
Ships can shut down their engines while berthed and plug
into an onshore power source, the ship’s power load is transferred to the
onshore power supply without disruption to onboard services. Emissions to the
local surroundings are eliminated.
A OPS installation typically requires a building, or a
shelter, containing the necessary technical equipment that include switchgear,
transformers and frequency converters which aim is to adapt the shore
electrical characteristics to the ship’s ones ([such as] voltage, frequency)
Along with a reduction in carbon emissions for the vessel and
port environment, OPS reduces noise, cost, and improves the working environment
of seafarers onboard the vessel.
However, there are several factors that tie into a port and
terminal’s investment for OPS: including cost; suitability for a terminal’s
common vessel types; and other carbon-cutting technologies available at a
port’s disposal.
The Port Technology team takes a look some of the key topics
of discussion around ports and OPS.
Cost
Cost drivers for investment in an OPS berth can vary
significantly, dependent on the port itself and the types of vessel; power draw
required; berthing capacity, and several other factors.
The latest estimate for the range of cost in onshore power
supply installation varies between €1 million and €25 million for a port,
according to the FuelEU Maritime proposals.
Ports seeking to invest in OPS can use the calculation tool
here.
Research by EU-funded knowledge exchange platform
ONtheMoSway collected several studies on OPS investment: the cost of
electricity transportation could range anywhere from $300,000 to $4 million per
berth, “depending on the port location, power demand and frequency and vessel
type.”
Research found that the Port of Rotterdam’s feasibility
study calculated a €4 million ($4.75 million) investment per berth, contrasted
with the Port of Gothenberg, which cost €225,000 ($266,500) for two berths.
The Port of Gothenberg’s costs were considerably cheaper
because of its readily-available high‐voltage power supply (6-20 kilovolts
(kV)), the lack of a need for a frequency converter and the limited power
requirements of RoRo vessels, for example.
Suitability
In March 2021, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)
released a report to highlight the importance of OPS investment “where it makes
sense”.
The report highlighted that terminals that serve passenger,
cruise, and certain container segment vessels could be considered to be viable
for OPS investment first and foremost – due to the vessels’ longer berthing
time and consequently greater amount of carbon emissions when berthing.
The Baltic Ports Organisation told PTI that by 2023, the
Baltic Ports will be making “huge investments” in its OPS supply for cruise
vessels.
Datasets regarding vessel demand for onshore power (OPS)
will be a “crucial precondition” for greater adoption in the industry, ESPO’s
General Secretary Isabelle Ryckbost told PTI.
Ports will also need to consider the cost and viability for
vessels to fit or retrofit onshore power capabilities into its systems:
estimates for shipside modifications can range from $300,000 to $2 million,
dependent on vessel size, type, and need for an onboard transformer.
In February 2021, Director of Environmental Management at
the Port of Los Angeles Chris Cannon told PTI that the changing dynamics and
sizing of shipping vessels a key challenges to clear for ports in the coming
years.
Resiliency
As mentioned, the increase in shore power facilities in
ports around the world will place a higher demand on power for a port or city
power grid.
From 17 to 20 August 2020, the ports of California were
directed by state government to halt all onshore power facilities following
high demand on the electricity grid due to hospitals dealing with COVID-19, in
addition to a lengthy heatwave and wildfires.
On a macro level, ports and cities will need to collaborate
in building resilience: through green sourcing of electricity in solar, wind,
and or hydroelectric power; smart grids; or battery storage.