A pilot project has begun at Zuidnatie’s terminal in Antwerp, with Carisbroke Shipping’s ocean-going vessel ‘UAL Osprey’ connected to shore power, supplied by means of a Zenobē battery.
This makes Zuidnatie the first terminal in Belgium to test shore power in this way on a seagoing vessel. The pilot project was realised together with shipping company Universal Africa Lines (UAL). Zenobē, a partner in energy storage and fleet electrification, is leading the project.
Running onboard diesel generators in port is considered unnecessarily environmentally damaging. Future plans are for ships to be required to power themselves without using fossil fuels, by connecting to shore power (‘cold ironing’). However, the necessary infrastructure to connect directly to the electricity grid is not available everywhere, so Zenobē’s solution involves a mobile battery.
For the pilot project, Zenobē used a Powerskid containing a second-life battery: a battery used in a previous life to power electric buses. Zenobē is ensuring that the project means the battery minerals are used for as long as possible.
The aim of the project is to collect measured data on consumption and consumption peaks, something that has not yet been researched. Zenobē chose a 150kWh Powerskid, backed up by two generators, to capture and record the unprecedented peaks. In a second phase, the battery will be scaled up and these additional generators will no longer be needed. The battery will then be powered by Zuidnatie’s PV plant. The delivered voltage will be 400V and the energy will be brought on board by means of a cable package.
Robby Van Bunder, CTO Zuidnatie said: “The collaboration with Zenobē stemmed from a chance meeting with our managing director Stéphanie Feys and a delegate from VIL during a networking event. An exploratory conversation around green energy took place and since then we have been in contact with Zenobē for several projects, including this one. The big test finally took place yesterday afternoon and the first impressions are very positive. The test brings us another step closer to a green future, which we as a company are striving so hard for.”
In the longer term, Zuidnatie plans to offer this form of shore power to all shipping companies calling at the terminals, with Zuidnatie using the generated energy from its solar panels as a power source to charge the batteries.
Steven Meersman, Founder/Director Zenobē said: “Ports are ready to decarbonise and the technology is available today. With this pilot project at Zuidnatie and the Port of Antwerp, Zenobē is proving that batteries can support the path to net zero in port operations. With our most recent capital increase, Zenobē is well placed to support the Green Deal and the greening of all elements of port operations.”
