Marine Shore Power Solutions: Reducing Emissions and Optimizing Port Operations

1) What is Shore Power (OPS)?

On-shore Power Supply (OPS), also called Cold Ironing or Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), allows a vessel to turn off its auxiliary engines at berth and draw electrical power from the port grid. OPS eliminates at-berth fuel burn and reduces noise, enabling quieter operations and major air-quality gains in port-adjacent communities.

*Actual CO₂ reduction depends on local grid mix and tariffs.

2) Benefits & Outcomes

• Compliance & reputation: Anticipate local/IMO/EU clean-port rules; enable “green port call” programs.
• Air quality & noise: Material reductions in SOx, NOx, PM, and dB levels near terminals.
• Operational consistency: Stable, metered power with smart protection and demand control.
• Commercial value: Preferential berth allocation, lower port fees, and ESG scores for operators.
• Future-proofing: Foundation for hybrid/electric tug charging, reefer yards, and battery ferries.

3) Core Standards & Electrical Profiles

Modern OPS systems follow the IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005 family:

• 80005-1 (HVSC): High-Voltage Shore Connection for large ships (e.g., 6.6 kV/11 kV, 50/60 Hz).
• 80005-2 (LVSC): Low-Voltage Shore Connection up to ~1 MVA (e.g., 400/440 V for ferries/ro-ro).
• 80005-3: Data communication for OPS control, monitoring, and interlocks.

4) Typical Loads & Sizing Rules

OPS sizing covers hotel load (HVAC, lighting, galleys), reefer racks, pumps, and shore services. Peak demand varies by climate and passenger/cargo operations.

• Cruise: 6–12 MW typical; peaks to 16 MW in hot climates.
• Container: 1–5 MW depending on reefers and cranes (if electrified at berth).
• Ro-ro/PCC: 1–3 MW; vehicle decks, ventilation, ramps.
• Ferries/ro-pax: 0.5–2 MW; frequent calls, high automation value.

Rule-of-thumb: design for diversified peak (P_max), plus 10–20% headroom for transients and growth. If frequency differs (e.g., 50 Hz grid, 60 Hz ship), include converters sized for P_max.

5) System Architecture & Key Components

1. Utility / Port Substation: Medium-voltage feed, metering, protection, and power quality monitoring.
2. Transformers & Switchgear: Step-down/up as needed; segregate HVSC/LVSC bays; arc-flash mitigation.
3. Frequency Conversion (if req.): Static converters (AFE + inverter) or motor-generator sets for 50↔60 Hz.
4. Shore Connection Point (SCP): 80005-compliant outlet(s), earthing device, test receptacles, interlocks.
5. Cable Handling: Cable crane/gantry, hose-reel, mobile cart, or pit systems with plug heads.
6. Control & SCADA: Interlocks, permissives, synch checks, load ramp control, alarms, energy logging.
7. Billing & Reporting: Class-1 revenue metering, TOU tariffs, emissions-avoided reports per call.

6) Safety, Interlocks & Cybersecurity

• Automatic earthing/grounding and dead-front design at the SCP.
• Mechanical keys/solenoids to enforce connect–test–energize–de-energize–disconnect sequence.
• Synch check (HVSC) and controlled ramp-up; emergency trip linked to ship and shore E-stop.
• Arc-flash studies, PPE categories, segregated MV rooms, interlocked doors.
• Secure comms per 80005-3; network segmentation, signed firmware, role-based access.

7) Cable Management & Connectors

Choose a handling method that fits tides, fender lines, and turnaround speed:

• Cable crane/gantry: Fast deployment for large cruise/container berths; minimal quay clutter.
• Hose-reel towers: Compact, simple; good for ro-ro and ferries.
• Mobile carts: Flexible positioning; useful for mixed-use berths or phased roll-out.
• Underground pits: Clean quayline; requires civil works and drainage management.

Connectors and pinouts follow IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005 profiles. Maintain ship-shore compatibility records per berth.

8) Costs, Tariffs & ROI Model

Indicative CAPEX

Electricity vs. Marine Fuel

At berth, auxiliary engines typically burn MGO/MDO at 180–220 g/kWh. With EU-style electricity at €0.10–0.18/kWh (TOU and exemptions vary), OPS often yields 20–40% opex savings for ships—and a larger externalities benefit for ports/cities (air quality).

Worked Example: Cruise Berth

• Average hotel load: 8 MW
• Duration per call: 10 h → 80 MWh per call
• Calls per year: 120 → 9,600 MWh per year

With berth CAPEX of €7–10 M (HV + crane), grants covering 30–50%, and 120 calls/year, simple payback commonly falls in the 3–6 year window. Add revenue via port OPS tariffs (€/MWh + facility fee) to improve the port’s business case.

9) Implementation Roadmap

1. Feasibility: Grid capacity study, fleet call forecast, environmental baseline, stakeholder map.
2. Concept design: Voltage/frequency strategy, cable method, berth priorities, phasing.
3. Funding model: Grants, green bonds, user tariffs, public–private partnership options.
4. Detailed design: Protection coordination, equipment specs, civil works, cybersecurity.
5. Procurement: Pre-qualified vendors, FAT plans, multi-berth framework contracts.
6. Construction & FAT/SAT: Factory tests, staged energization, ship compatibility trials.
7. Operations: SOPs, training, metering & billing, maintenance, emissions reporting.

10) Tender Checklist (Ports & Terminals)

• Compliance with IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005-1/-2/-3 and local electrical codes.
• Specified voltage/frequency scenarios (incl. conversion if required).
• Short-circuit and arc-flash studies; protection settings and selectivity.
• Cable handling method, tide & fender envelopes, and plug interface details.
• SCADA, remote diagnostics, event logs, and cyber hardening requirements.
• Revenue metering class, TOU support, billing API, and reporting (emissions avoided).
• FAT/SAT procedures with witness tests; ship-shore trials and training deliverables.
• Spare parts list, warranties, SLAs, and preventive maintenance plan.

11) FAQ

Do we always need frequency conversion?
No. If grid and vessel share the same frequency (e.g., 60 Hz in parts of North America with 60 Hz ships), converters may be unnecessary. Mixed fleets or 50↔60 Hz differences typically require conversion.

What about ships that are not OPS-ready?
Many operators retrofit HV/LV shore panels during dry-dock. Ports should publish standardized berth specs early to guide fleet upgrades.

Can we scale gradually?
Yes—start with the highest-utilization berth and extend via modular switchgear, multiple SCPs, and additional cable systems as traffic grows.