UK Power Networks looks to expand Electric Thames project

In collaboration with partners LCP Delta, Marine Zero, ev.energy and the Port of London Authority, UK Power Networks is looking to expand the Electric Thames project beyond London to the UK’s whole maritime sector.

Electric Thames project

The Electric Thames project is advising vessel operators on practical, cost-effective ways to switch to low-emission technologies, as it plans for future electricity demand along the river. Specifically, vessel-to-grid technology is being explored, which enables electric boats to act as floating batteries, feeding surplus power back into the electricity grid when moored. This would help balance supply and demand during peak periods, while potentially saving money.

Expanding across the UK

The project has analyzed tracking data for 62 of the 180 commercial vessels operating regularly on the River Thames. They used 38GWh of energy a year, which is equivalent to 10,000,000l of diesel, resulting in 27,200 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. This helps determine the upgrades which could be required to the grid, and so informs UK Power Networks’ long-term network planning while supporting the UK in meeting its environmental targets.

The project team also analyzed 21 riverside sites which could host charging infrastructure to support commerce, transportation and tourism. Electric Thames is funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem program managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

Luca Grella, head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, said, “The River Thames has always been a vital lifeline for the capital, and now, as we look to decarbonize our world, we have a chance to transform the maritime sector. The work being done to integrate electric vessels with technologies like vessel-to-grid is a major step forward, offering new ways to balance the grid and deliver cleaner, more efficient energy. With promising early results and the backing of key partners, we believe Electric Thames is setting the stage for a sustainable, resilient energy future that will benefit both the maritime industry and the wider community.”

Andy Hurley, operations director at Marine Zero, said, “Vessel and site operators have been incredibly engaged and very keen to support this important project. Thanks to the operational intelligence Thames operators have given us access to, alongside working with an innovative energy network like UK Power Networks, we have been able to undertake widescale energy and power analysis.

“That in turn, has allowed us to build informed models and financial projections that reflect real-world conditions and constraints. This data-driven approach has optimized our decision-making process and strengthened stakeholder confidence in our implementation strategy.”  

In related news, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers recently announced its plans to launch the UK’s first fully electric zero-emission cross-river passenger ferry, Orbit Clipper, this year. Click here to read the full story