Introducing the cold‐ironing technique and a hydrogen‐based hybrid renewable energy system into ports

Abstract

Summary Natural resources’ unexpected nature makes renewable energy sources’ power supply irregular and inflexible; weather conditions are impossible to be predicted. Energy storage systems are required to balance this green power supply and ensure both off‐grid and autonomous infrastructures' stability and reliability. Various energy storage technologies are available, but the high initial capital cost and the uncertainty regarding future cost and performance are critical bottlenecks for possible investors. Batteries are the most common energy storage means, while hydrogen storage is one of the least used options. This research attempts to conduct a comparative technoeconomic analysis between a hybrid renewable energy power plant combined with a hydrogen energy storage system and the implementation of the cold‐ironing technique. The test bed is the port of Milos, which is a Mediterranean island port. Thirteen scenarios were conceptualized, simulated, and assessed after examining and assessing the existing methods and technology using MATLAB and Homer Pro software. The economy of scale plays its role in this aspect as hydrogen storage systems' cost has been proven to be lower for larger infrastructures. Indicatively, the levelized cost of energy is significantly reduced for the two optimal scenarios, as there is a 41.3% decrease for the non‐cold‐ironing case and a 33.4% decrease for the cold‐ironing one. Moreover, the carbon footprint for the suggested systems of all the examined scenarios is almost diminished, paving the way forward for turning the port into a nearly Zero Energy Port. This study also helps to comprehend the technoeconomic characteristics of hydrogen‐based hybrid renewable energy systems for supporting the cold‐ironing technique. HIGHLIGHTS A systematic methodology is presented to introduce the cold‐ironing technique to a small Mediterranean port; Hydrogen‐based renewable energy systems are a sustainable and feasible solution toward the nZEP concept; An optimally sized hybrid renewable energy system guarantees the unhampered 24‐h port's operation; The suggested hybrid systems are capable of covering the port's energy needs fully even if the cold ironing is incorporated.

Introducing Optimal Energy Hub Approach in Smart Green Ports based on Machine Learning Methodology

“…In this study (Sifakis et al, 2022), a technoeconomic comparison between the use of the cold-ironing method and a hybrid renewable energy power plant outfitted with a hydrogen energy storage system is made. The port of Milos, an island in the Mediterranean, serves as the test site.…”

The Future of Energy in Ships and Harbors

“…The four above-mentioned ports are very different in size, which corroborates the applicability of renewable energy sources to supply ships at berth in both small and large ports. On the other side, it is worth mentioning the combination of a hydrogenbased hybrid energy system and cold ironing, which has been recently investigated by Sifakis et al [69] Finally, new ways of obtaining energy near shore based on temperature gradient of the water column and the wave energy [70][71][72][73][74][75] have emerged in recent years. Because of the increasing industrial activity of the ports, along with the necessity to support electrical energy to the ships the ports show a higher potential energy demand.…”

Scope of the Literature on Efforts to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Seaports

“…Examples are the use of AI to predict the amount of energy produced in the coming days, As shown in Figure 6, the central control system in an innovative system that runs with an intelligent network regulates the energy network and logistic control signal. It provides cargo terminals an on-site power supply known as cold ironing (CI) "Cold ironing, or shore connection, shore-to-ship power (SSP) is the process of providing shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off" [17], transportation equipment (trucks), renewable energy production systems, energy storage systems, an electric vehicle charging station, and an intelligent grid that is connected (via a transformer for adjusting required power and voltage) to an intelligent metre to monitor the energy consumption. An intelligent energy central control system in a seaport regulates and connects each of these parts.…”

“…According to the study, using a hybrid renewable energy system can reduce GHG emissions by up to 87%, thereby providing a reliable and affordable energy source for seaports. This case can also be classified as a fusion of deploying EMS with CI infrastructures and using legislation to implement CI instead of ship energy [17].…”