7 minute read
Targeting Net Zero
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has partnered with Siemens to create a free online tool to help UK ports meet their net zero targets. AJ Keyes looks at how it can help
“The problem is not a lack of will, it is just that the challenge is so great, explained Dr Sean Jones, Consultant, Power Technologies International, adding, “It is not a simple matter of moving away from fossil fuels but being able to engineer systems that enable low-carbon alternatives that is needed.”
In order to help this process, NGET and Siemens, with support and guidance from the British Ports Association (BPA), have developed a “decarbonisation tool” that can help ports directly forecast the future infrastructure required to meet the foreseen increased electrical capacity based on zero emission port operations.
The UK government’s Department for Transport states that the maritime sector in the UK is currently responsible for five per cent of total UK transport emissions, with diesel fuel the dominant power source. However, current estimates state that by 2050 annual electricity throughout the port industry is expected to reach 250 Gigawatt hours (GWh) under the base case, ‘business as usual’ scenario – and substantially higher under potential (ambitious) emission reduction scenarios.
The reduction of harmful emissions in the environment, with key net zero targets for 2050 being set, is highly topical with strong interest from diverse sectors of the port industry in the UK.
TWO TOOL VERSIONS
While there is a clear demand for cleaner energy, how realistic are these targets and, of even greater importance, how might they be reached? Jones offers a very frank response: “There is a long way to go,” he emphasises, explaining that the process will be “challenging but critically important.”
This new Decarbonisation Tool represents a positive step forward. It is offered in two versions. One form of it makes assessments based on the asset information input, while the second version is customisable, thereby allowing the port to change the assumptions, as appropriate. The flexibility helps ensure that the tool is simple to use, and, crucially, gives ports preliminary guidance to allow for a more detailed insight to meet their requirements.
Then, once a port has downloaded and worked through the Decarbonisation Tool, it can contact National Grid with the preliminary findings, for a more in-depth conversation, if required.
Lynsey Jeffers, Siemens’ Smart Infrastructure Sector Lead for UK Ports, offers further insight: “This tool will help ports get a better idea of what their options are when it comes to electrification. Ports are used to planning for the long term. Port infrastructure, plant and machinery lasts for decades and a lot of the thinking, planning and investment in lowering emissions from ships and ports needs to happen sooner rather than later.”
ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION
Jones confirms that ports in the UK have already begun to decarbonise, with government modelling showing they can achieve net zero through a transition to alternative fuel and the integration of ports into the decarbonised energy network. This is where the new tool is especially supportive. “By modelling future peak demand for electricity and giving an estimate of the connection required to the local distribution network and the national transmission system, the decarbonisation tool can help accelerate the transition,” Jones underlines.
It does this by asking questions about the assets a port has on site – from the number of berths, and types of cranes, to the number of car parking spaces – matching it with estimates of the peak power demand for the site.
Jones highlights the Port of Tyne as one port that is currently working with Siemens to create a blueprint for the decarbonisation of UK ports through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which supports initiatives to reduce emissions from the maritime sector . The project has funding from the Department of Transport and the Clean Tyne project will run until the end Q1 2022, with plans to demonstrate and disseminate the learnings and outputs with all ports in the UK.
Mark Simmonds, Director of Policy & External Affairs, British Ports Association, notes: “With the support of the Decarbonisation Tool, UK ports can begin to plan their transition to alternative fuels using energy from low or zero emission sources, as well as the integration of ports into the decarbonised energy network.”
8 A new
Decarbonisation Tool has been launched to help UK ports transition to alternative fuels and better integrate into the decarbonised energy network
8 The Port of
Tyne, is a test bed for a new decarbonisation tool developed by the UK’s National Grid Electricity Transmission in collaboration with Siemens
ifm electronic gmbh
ifm is one of the world’s leading sensor companies in the automation of measurement and control, optimizing technical processes in almost all industries.
+49 201 24 22 0 info@ifm.com www.ifm.com B ULK HANDLING
NEUERO Industrietechnik GmbH
Specialist for pneumatic ship unloaders and mechanical ship loader. NEUERO follows the MADE IN GERMANY quality tradition. Now with more than100 years of tradition in the manufacture of reliable and high-quality conveyor systems worldwide.
Email: neuero@neuero.de Tel: +49 5422 9 50 30 neuero.de/en/ C ARGO HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Over 60 years supporting Container Terminals in port operations: we create strategic STS Portainer® and RTG Transtainer® cranes, services & Advanced Port Technologies. PACECO® CORP. World Headquarters 25503 Whitesell Street Hayward, CA 94545
Tel (510) 264-9288 email@pacecocorp.com www.pacecocorp.com C ONNECTION SOLUTIONS
As one of the leading manufacturers of quick connector systems,Stäubli covers connection needs for all types of fluids, gases and electrical power.
Tel: +33 4 50 65 61 97 connectors.sales@staubli.com www.staubli.com/en-de/ connectors/
Bedeschi S.p.A
For more than a century, Bedeschi is providing effective and reliable solutions in a wide variety of industries (bulk handling, marine logistics and mining), capitalizing on synergies and cross competences. Via Praimbole 38, 35010 Limena (PD) – Italy Tel: : +39 049 7663100 Fax: +39 049 8848006 Email: sales@bedeschi.com Web: www.bedeschi.com
SAMSON Materials Handling Ltd specialises in the design and manufacture of mobile bulk materials handling equipment for surface installation across multiple industrial segments. Designed for rapid onsite set-up and continuous high performance SAMSON equipment provides an excellent return on investment. Gemini House Cambridgeshire Business Park, 1 Bartholomew’s Walk, Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 4EA England, United Kingdom (UK)
Tel: +44 1353 665001 Fax: +44 1353 666734 sales@samson-mh.com www.samson-mh.com Taylor Machine Works, Inc.
Taylor Machine Works designs, engineers, and manufactures more than 100 models of industrial lift equipment with lift capacities from ,000-lbs. to 125,000-lbs. YOU CAN DEPEND ON BIG RED! 3690 N Church Avenue Louisville, MS 39339 USA +1 662 773 3421 www.taylorbigred.com
C
Staubli _ DONSULTANTS irectory Mar 2021.indd 1 25/02/2021 We are a UK-based independent consulting firm with a mission to provide flexible, affordable, and 15:49 agile Port & Logistics consultancy services to our clients.
PORT STRATEGY PORT EXCELLENCE PORT-CENTRIC LOGISTICS London Port & Logistics Consulting Ltd Tel: +44 7379 039957 info@lplc.co.uk www.lplc.co.uk
The BEUMER Group is an international leader in the manufacture of bulk material handling systems:
Overland Conveyor Pipe Conveyor Stacker & Reclaimer Shiploader
Tel.: +49 2521 240 E-mail: info@beumer.com Web: www.beumer.com
Telestack are a leading global manufacturer of equipment for the bulk material handling industry including Ship Loaders/Unloaders, Hopper Feeders, Truck Unloaders, Bulk Reception Feeders, Stockpiling Conveyors, Link Conveyors and Telescopic Stackers. Tel: +44 (0)2882 251100 Email: sales@telestack.com www.telestack.comw
#WeHaveTonnesToTellYouAbout C ARGO HANDLING SYSTEMS
LASE Industrielle Lasertechnik GmbH
LASE offers innovative and productive solutions for ports by combining state-of-the-art laser scanner devices and sophisticated software applications. We are specialised in the fully automated handling of containers, cranes or trucks. Rudolf-Diesel-Str 111 D-46485 Wesel, Germany Tel: +49 (0) 281 - 9 59 90 - 0 info@lase.de www.lase.de
D REDGINGLondon & Port Rohde Nielsen A/S Logistics ID.indd 1 25/01/2022 11:45 Specialising in capital and maintenance dredging, land reclamation, coast protection, Port Development, Filling of Caissons, Sand and Gravel, Offshore trenching and backfilling Nyhavn 20 Copenhagen K. DK-1051 Denmark +45 33 91 25 07 mail@rohde-nielsen.dk www.rohde-nielsen.dk
C
Beumer Directory Jan 2021.indd 1 27/01/202 A/S Cimbria Cimbria is a global leader in the 1 11:29 OMPONENTS conveying, drying, processing, sorting and storage of grains, seeds, food and bulk products. Cimbria designs, manufactures and services customized high-tech solutions, from stand-alone machines to large turnkey plants. Our broad experience ensures our clients the targeted advice and range of solutions they need to grow their business.
Faartoftvej 22 7700 Thisted, Denmark Tel: 0045 96 17 90 00 cimbria.holding@agcocorp.com www.cimbria.com
Telestack Directory June 2021.indd 1 26/05/2021 12:20
DRY AGRIBULK MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEMS :
– Portable grains pumps – Pneumatics continuous barge and ship unloaders 100-1200 tph – Simporter twin-belt unloader up to 2500 tph – Loaders up to 2500 tph Complete turnkey projects
VIGAN Engineering S.A. Belgium Tél.: +32 67 89 50 41 www.vigan.com/info@vigan.com P4.1 e-chain®
Energy chain with optional intelligent wear monitoring for double the service life, travels of up to 1.000 m, speeds of up to 10 m/s and fill weights of up to 50 kg/m. igus® GmbH Spicher Str. 1a D-51147 Köln, Germany Tel. +49-2203-9649-0 info@igus.eu igus.eu/P4.1
E LECTRIFICATION SOLUTIONS
VAHLE PORT TECHNOLOGY
VAHLE is the leading specialist for mobile power and data transmission VAHLE provides the solutions to reduce the carbon footprint while increasing the productivity. RTGC electrification including positioning and data transmission making RTGC ready for Automation.
