Flexible and mobile solutions for Onshore Power Supply (ZEWT Partnership)

OPS solutions currently available in the market, while conforming to standards, have gaps in terms of flexibility and modularity, in particular regarding the expected future demand in terminals with a high turnover of diverse waterborne traffic served. OPS port infrastructure solutions so far are static or have limited flexibility at the berth, whereby several static connections are needed to cover port requirements. As an alternative or supplement, further research is needed in OPS solutions that allow OPS to be provided within and across different terminals and port areas. Solutions developed under this topic should be generally applicable, so they can be used for several types of vessels. However, the solutions should consider the special features of the different ship types and services, such as the safety requirements for tanker and chemicals traffic where connectivity in complex environments is an issue.

Following Fit-for-55 OPS requirements in AFIR and FuelEU Maritime, new Onshore Power Supply products are being developed, including High-Voltage OPS systems, within a framework of robust standardisation. However, further research is needed on the mature, flexible and safe provision of OPS at anchorage and in a flexible way along different terminals and port areas through technologies other than barges, applicable to a wide range of ports with different geographies and conditions.

The development of solutions to simultaneously provide OPS, fast battery charging as well as loading operations needs further standardisation and dedicated protocols. Standardisation of fast battery charging is underway; therefore, proposals are encouraged to explore relevant research for fast battery charging beyond the current or soon to be adopted standards (e.g. IEC/EEE 80005-4) to be implemented in the developed solutions for OPS at anchorage or mobile and flexible OPS.

Proposals should address all the following aspects:

1. Demonstrate innovative scalable OPS solutions as described in the expected outcomes, addressing either Area A or Area B.
2. Minimise the risk of system failure and ensuring continuous operation, resilient to adverse climate conditions;
3. Identify remaining gaps in standardisation for the solutions developed and define recommendations for standards, protocols and/or solutions at least for safe fast battery charging. Projects addressing Area B should also address these activities for load/unload cargo operations simultaneously;
4. Research into systems that can simultaneously provide fast battery charging and OPS;
5. Development of earthing protection solutions through monitoring of the grounding resistance to predict failure;
6. All solutions should align with the optimisation of onboard High Voltage transformers, automation of onboard connection systems, optimisation of onboard OPS switchboard operation, and onboard safety monitoring systems and blackout prevention/mitigation systems to synchronise process and the communication between ship and shore;
7. Adequate training and support for crew and port staff are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the solutions developed training programs should encompass system operations, maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response protocols to ensure safe and efficient operations.

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on results to the European Partnership ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.