Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition – Port of Aberdeen
Funded by Innovate UK, the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2 aims to determine the feasibility of decarbonising the Port of Aberdeen’s day-to-day operations. The study, which may have wider implications across the UK port sector aligns with the emissions reductions goals published in the Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Plan of 2019.
The Challenge
Transport is responsible for 24% of the UK’s CO2 emissions, while international shipping accounts for 5% of total transport emissions. Ports themselves are responsible for direct and indirect carbon emissions, from the use of shoreside infrastructure such as cranes and lighting, to cargo deliveries. Such activities present significant opportunities for decarbonisation.
The Port of Aberdeen plays a key role in international trade and is a key enabler within the local, regional, and national supply chain. Aberdeen Harbour’s goal is to accelerate the transition to Net Zero by eliminating emissions by adapting and supporting the development and introduction of innovative technologies and processes. Decarbonisation of the port needs to consider a diverse range of stakeholders including customers, port users, and industry organisations.
The Solution
Energy Systems Catapult, in partnership with Aberdeen Harbour, Buro Happold Engineering, and the Connected Places Catapult will look to understand future power demands at the Port of Aberdeen, and the use of low carbon energy supply sources to power port and third-party equipment. The project team will also develop a roadmap to 2040 to decarbonise port operations.
The proposed roadmap will need to meet the requirements of the port authorities, port users, and wider stakeholders. The project will outline a scope and commercial model for a demonstrator project to begin decarbonisation of the South Harbour and will seek to transfer some of the learnings to apply for the North Harbour’s decarbonisation activities.
Further to the port specific objectives it is our aim to drive a Ports and Regional Strategic Advisory Group to address the cross-sector challenges of decarbonisation. The group will agree priorities, develop a solution roadmap that delivers optimum lifecycle emissions reductions and work to address policy gaps that impact the implementation of broader regional decarbonisation initiatives.
The project will run until August 2023.
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