UK innovation project assesses ‘Thames-to-grid’ tech

The Electric Thames project, a collaboration between UK Power Networks, LCP Delta and Marine Zero, is assessing the viability of using electric vessels to feed stored electricity back into London’s power grid.

Using a principle similar to night storage heaters, battery-powered vessels on the Thames could store green energy when it is cheap, such as when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, and feed it back to the grid during peak electricity hours.

The project is in its initial ‘discovery’ or scoping phase, funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund and is scheduled to conclude at the end of May 2024.

Thames vessel and quay operators will be surveyed over the coming weeks to identify and map out their needs. This will allow power suppliers to plan and complete any works needed to facilitate the move to cleaner vessel and river operations along the River Thames.

Andy Hurley, director at Marine Zero, said in a release: “Electric Thames isn’t just about achieving zero emissions on our capital’s river – it is even more exciting and significant than that. Along with our project partners at LCP Delta and UK Power Networks, we are developing a completely new approach to increasing energy flexibility by developing new income streams and flexible solutions for vessel and quay operators.

“We are delighted that Marine Zero has been selected to support the discovery phase of the project using our maritime experience and intelligence, and we look forward to engaging with operators along the Thames over the coming weeks.”

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Thames decarbonisation

Luca Grella, head of innovation at UK Power Networks, added: “This is a first-of-its-kind project in the UK, and one that is operating at the forefront of energy innovation. Tapping into this potential will not only help us create a cleaner Thames for everyone but will also give us an additional supply of flexible, green energy which will help our transition to a decarbonised energy system.”

Most of the boats, quaysides and ports operating on the Thames – which supports a busy freight sector as well as 8-million passenger trips per year – currently rely on fossil fuels.

This is starting to change, however, as the river’s economy decarbonises in response to climate change and net zero ambitions.

But as increasing numbers of Thames vessel and quayside operators move to electric power sources, there is limited understanding about how the shift will affect the capital’s power grid and peak power demands.

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The Electric Thames project team will consult quay owners, vessel operators, and other stakeholders to understand the opportunities for investing in electrification and a sustainable route to revenue.

Phillip Twiddy, Senior Consultant, LCP Delta, commented: “It’s fantastic to be involved in such a strategic project that could deliver some real benefits. The project aims to help the marine sector lower their emissions yet also have certainty in their energy source. It will also help to accelerate the energy transition.”

The outcomes of the project are hoped to shape a new whole-system planning framework for the UK’s rivers, canals and waterways, offering insights for decarbonisation and electrification that could be replicated across the UK.

Electric Thames has been supported by the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the SIF programme taps into the best of UK and international innovation and aims to align with other public innovation funding for the benefit of customers across the United Kingdom.