According to the DIRECTIVE 2014/94/EU of the European parliament and of the council of 22 October 2014, on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in article (20), The Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) guidelines recognise that alternative fuels serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport, contribute to its decarbonisation and enhance the environmental performance of the transport sector. The TEN-T guidelines require, with regard to new technologies and innovation, that the TEN-T is to enable the decarbonisation of all transport modes by stimulating energy efficiency as well as by introducing alternative propulsion systems and the provision of corresponding infrastructure. The TEN-T guidelines also require that inland and sea ports, airports and roads of the core network established by Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (‘TEN-T Core Network’) provide for the availability of alternative fuels. In the CEF, the TEN-T funding instrument makes the deployment on the TEN-T Core Network of those new technologies and innovation, including infrastructure for alternative clean fuels, eligible for grants. In addition, the deployment of infrastructure for alternative clean fuels on the broader comprehensive network will be able to receive financial assistance from the CEF in the form of procurement and financial instruments, such as project bonds
Furthermore, in article (34) of this Directive defined that Shore-side electricity facilities can serve maritime and inland waterway transport as clean power supply, in particular in maritime and inland navigation ports where air quality or noise levels are poor. Shore-side electricity can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of sea-going ships and inland waterway vessels.
There are several EU and national climate measures for implementation of the Paris Agreement that oblige ports to reduce the carbon footprint of their land-based activities. Meanwhile, most of European ports set goals towards decarbonisation of shipping activities by providing green services. Under the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (DIRECTIVE 2014/94/EU) , LNG bunkering facilities and On-shore Power Supply should be provided in ports of the TEN-T core network by 2025.
Along with the above policies, Genoa Port in Italy is set to benefit from a €8 million ship to shore power project to help it meet EU environmental sustainability standards.
Nidec ASI will install its innovative electrical supply system at the ports’ docks allowing berthed vessels to plug in and reduce emissions and noise pollution at the quayside. “For us this project is a major milestone in the reduction of the environmental impact of port activities, a central theme for promoting a sustainable development model in a country like Italy,” said Kaila Haines, marketing and PR director of Nidec ASI. “The transformation of these ports with a view to achieving greater safety and savings on energy may also contribute to attracting more cruise vessels and this would have a positive impact on trade and tourism.”
Forward thinking
The scope of supply includes two 6 MVA static frequency converters which, with the overloads required, can reach up to 12 MVA, as well as switchboards and LV/MV transformers, connecting cables for the various devices and any accessory components. In the long term, Nidec will also supervise the civil engineering works, assembling, commissioning and any technical support required for the project for the next ten years. The company has already completed a similar project for Livorno, where it supplied a variable frequency drive unit for cruise vessels docked in the port. Nidec ASI offers customised electrical solutions for a wide range of industrial applications including the renewable energy, steel, naval and industrial automation markets.
Docks the Future staff