Portsmouth port demonstrates smart energy system in decarbonising operations

The Port Energy Systems Optimisation (PESO) project has demonstrated the use of smart grid technology and energy storage to decarbonise port activities.

The PESO project, which was run at Portsmouth International Port on England’s south coast with support from the government’s innovation agency Innovate UK, comprised the implementation of a novel dual chemistry battery and an AI-based multi-level control system in the port’s energy network.

The aim was to both maximise the battery output at times of high demand as well as to optimise the storage capacity to fully utilise energy generated by the port’s on-site solar PV or procured from the grid at times of low prices.

This combined capability to minimise the cost of energy needed to supply vessels with energy and to drive the port’s own assets is a critical aspect of the PESO value proposition, a statement on the project reads.

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“The energy transition is imposing change along the complete maritime value chain and ports have a crucial role to play,” said Jonathan Williams, CEO of marine sector decarbonisation specialist Marine South East International, which led the project.

“We are delighted to help find the solutions that ports will depend on in the future.”

Other project partners included consultant Swanbarton, which developed the energy management software, and the Energy Systems Catapult which provided modelling capability.

In the project a range of business models were explored that may offer practical ways forward for ports to take on the role of managing energy resources. However, MSE International believes that most would contract with a third party provider to build and operate a PESO type system.

The project partners also suggest that the value proposition for the system can be strengthened significantly by exploiting the market for the provision of balancing services to the grid.

Notwithstanding the potential of the PESO smart energy system, they also highlight several barriers to overcome for full realisation, of which one is the current high cost of battery storage. PESO should be able to integrate with alternative battery types as they become available.

Another is the need for wider collaboration along the marine logistics value chain, in particular developments in energy vectors and consumption on ships, which will have a direct impact on the range of energy supply services imposed on ports.

Clarity on policy developments on electricity pricing and public investment in the transmission and distribution networks which impact the PESO proposition also is needed.

The PESO consortium is now working on a range of actions to advance the commercial deployment of the solution during 2023.