Flexible Onshore Power Supply (OPS)
OPS, short for shore power, is any technology that enables ships and other vessels to be supplied with electricity from the shoreside while moored at berths and staying for a lengthy time in ports. Their main and auxiliary engines can, hence, be shut down. OPS is also known as "Cold ironing" in naval terminology, Shore-to-Ship Power (SSP), Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), or Shoreside Electricity (SSE).
Since the early 2010s, eCap Marine (formerly known as HPE Hybrid Port Energy) as an innovative technology company with expertise in deploying and realising alternative sustainable clean energy power supply solutions, either for shipside (onboard) or electricity supply on shoreside (onshore), has made it possible for shipping companies to reduce emissions. Those mobile OPS technology solutions were for cold ironing container ships (PowerPac) and cruise ships (PowerBarge), providing them with onshore power and operational support on behalf of the contractee.
With many years of real OPS experience, eCap Marine has established itself as a leader in the field. Whether it's the technology itself or the operation of onshore power, eCap Marine has the knowledge and expertise to deliver effective solutions.
Traditional stationary (OPS) solution:
Environmental Impact of Onshore Power Supply
Most ships (marine engines) use traditional fossil fuels for cheap costs, causing severe ship emissions. Even with lower sulfur content like Marine Gas Oil (MGO) or Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), vessels still cause high CO2 emissions (carbon dioxide) together with other harmful air pollutants, such as SOx, NOx, Soots, and Particles (particle pollution aka PM). Ships' auxiliary engines also produce ongoing noises, worsening the air quality in port cities and damaging the health of their inhabitants.
Onshore Power Supply (OPS) is vital to reducing emissions and improving air quality in port cities.
Green Initiatives of Port Authorities in Port Cities
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been setting progressive goals to reduce emissions and improve air quality in port cities. In July 2021, the European Commission updated and proposed FuelEU Maritime, requiring all EU containership ports with over 50 calls annually to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
Meanwhile, many EU ports, including Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Haropa Port, and Rotterdam, are aiming for "Zero Emission at Berth." They are jointly and proactively committing to enable maximal deployment of OPS by 2028 for the large container segment to combat air pollutants at berths and ensure a greener, climate-friendly future.
Challenges of Onshore Power Supply (OPS)
While OPS technology can effectively reduce ship emissions at berths, it is not feasible to provide OPS installations for all berths. This is because the typical OPS system is designed for a single berth, and the local grid may not be able to meet the energy needs of all types of vessels.
The ports and their port authorities are hence urging for more coordinated approaches to OPS technology, in order to reduce investments and operational costs (CAPEX & OPEX). It is essential to encourage innovation to overcome present technological challenges and to stimulate the shipping sector to equip their vessels to make use of OPS in multiple ports.
eCap Marine's innovative Alternative Maritime Power Solutions
More than just usual Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), eCap Marine's alternative Power Supply OPS Solutions stand out for being:
- containerised & modularised, integrated with all required components, like safety system
- compact and small footprint, but still efficient and powerful, achieving lower CAPEX and OPEX costs
- semi/-mobile, hence flexible and high utilisation, more advantageous than stationary OPS systems
- guaranteed stable, decentral (off-grid), independent power supply
- compliant with IEC standards and local laws & regulations
- capable of generating silent, emission-free electricity or with significant emission-reduction
- every system can be customised according to a particular application scenario, request and specification, thus being designed and configured individually
- able to deploy various fuel sources, either using green hydrogen fuel as H2PowerPac, battery storage as Battery PowerPac, or combustion engine as LNG PowerPac (Liquified Natural Gas), or LBG PowerPac (Liquified Bio Gas) or other gasiform green alternatives fuels
With solid technology know-how and real-life operational experiences, eCap Marine will work closely with clients from concept to design, construction, and final commission and implementation.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Shore to Ship Power is electric power provided from the shoreside (grid or other sources) to ships while docked at berth and staying in ports.
Onshore Power Supply is any technology which enables terminal operators to supply shore-based electricity to incoming vessels when mooring at berths thus their main and auxiliary engines can be shut down - it is also known as "Cold Ironing" in naval terminology, Alternative Marine Power (AMP) or Shoreside Electricity (SSE).
Onshore Power Supply is an effective measure for port cities and their port authorities to achieve climate objectives, quickly improve the air quality in ports and protect the health of port city inhabitants. Shipping companies as end-users can fundamentally contribute to:
- reduce emissions of not only CO2 (carbon dioxide) but also other harmful air pollutants like SOx, NOx, soots and particulates significantly
- eliminate the disruptive noise from ships' engines, creating a more tranquil and pleasant living environment in port cities
- energy efficiency and saving of costs (modern electricity generation and fuel sources are much more efficient and sustainable than conventional marine engines and save CO2 emission taxes)
- reduce "Wear and Tear": ships' engines can be shut down while in port, thus extending their lifespan
- environmental regulations compliance
- local community benefits
- innovation and image
Shoreside Power means the electricity is provided by the shore-bound infrastructure to the vessels docked at berths in port.