Smart Ports: Shore Power to Support Vessel Operations Use Case

Continuing our Smart Ports Use Case series in collaboration with RH DHV, our fourth use case has been developed together with the Port of Tyne and Equinor, focussing on the provision of shore power to support offshore vessel operations with the aim of improving the local port air quality thus accelerating our transition to a net zero future.

The Port of Tyne is operating in the growing offshore renewable energy sector, with plans underway to create a green energy park for the north east region. Equinor has selected the port as the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) base for their new offshore wind farms at Dogger Bank, which collectively will form the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

Shore power provision replaces the need for the O&M service vessels to use onboard generators whilst in the port, reducing emissions and improving local air quality,  in support of key national policies such as the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Clean Maritime Plan, and the Port Air Quality Strategy. Further, this has the potential to improve the efficiency and reliability of the wind-farm operations and reduce the carbon footprint of the energy produced for decades into the future.

This use case examines the potential of developing a shore power solution at the port, evaluates different design and implementation options, and outlines a set of enabling activities and recommendations as a key step towards developing UK ports as green energy hubs and moving towards a Net Zero Carbon future.