Transition towards zero emission ports

The competence-building TRAZEPO project aimed at contributing to the sustainable energy transition in Norway by developing new knowledge about ports’ potential roles as "energy hubs". The overarching research question addressed was: How may ports facilitate more sustainable transport and enterprise development while transitioning towards zero-emission implementing innovative solutions such as battery charging, onshore power supply, hydrogen, biofuels etc.? This is a complex question, that called for interdisciplinarity and co-development of knowledge. TRAZEPO provided a transition arena where different research groups in SINTEF together with NTNU collaborated with the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Association of Norwegian ports, and the port administration companies in Oslo, Narvik and Kristiansand on how to realize climate and energy targets for the ports sector. The project also benefitted from international research expertise on transitions, ports and shipping, from Chalmers University of Technology and Copenhagen Business School. TRAZEPO focused on the multiplex interactions and connections between technology and social processes. The mix of energy solutions suitable for individual ports proved to be highly contingent on port-specific factors and circumstances. Existing infrastructure and logistics/transport systems also impact the range of options that are available and feasible for different ports. Last, but not least, the goals, perceptions and resources among actors influences the scope and benefits of developing energy hubs at particular locations. The project has contributed to the sustainability transitions literature more generally by developing new conceptual and empirical insights on the role of actors performing intermediation activities in ongoing complex transition processes, such as in implementing onshore power solutions. The project has furthermore shed new light on learning within the port sector with regards to strategies for implementing new technologies, the use of port fee systems, regulations, policy processes and coordination vis-a-vis users and customers of the port. Other important contributions from the project include how transition opportunities are influenced by location and market conditions, as well as how different factors influence ports' opportunities and interest in implementing measures that contribute to emission reductions. To analyze this complexity, TRAZEPO employed perspectives from sustainability transitions theory. A first step (WP1 Stakeholder perspectives) was to conduct a mapping o actors, processes and infrastructure in the three case ports. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews, a more detailed analysis of the drivers, barriers and opportunities for developing ports as low- or zero-emission energy hubs was then performed. Results were discussed with project user partners and at international research forums. In WP2 (Processes, technologies, and solutions) the initial material was supplemented with in-depth interviews, for instance on processes and lessons learnt from the implementation of onshore power supply systems in Oslo and Kristiansand. As part of WP2, a scientific literature review on technologies and instruments for more sustainable energy solutions in/around ports was conducted, also targeting a broader readership than the transitions community. Considering the speed of development in this field, a 'state of the art' mapping of relevant grey literature was also been carried out. Another significant task in WP2 was a large survey about energy transition, targeting both private and public ports in Norway. WP2 also developed a techno-economic model to analyse the potential for ports to become zero-emission energy hubs. In the final WP3 (System perspective), results from WP1 and WP2 were synthesised, with main attention to future transition pathways for the ports and maritime sector in Norway. As of March 2023, TRAZEPO has delivered one PhD thesis, two large reports, six articles in peer-reviewed international journals (with two under review), and two working papers in the FME NTRANS working paper series. Insights have been disseminated via op-eds, commentaries and blogs, and also via oral presentations at various events both in Norway and internationally. Master students at NTNU have been connected to the project. Finally, TRAZEPO has constituted a platform for networking and further project development (such as ACES, INTERPORT, MAREN II), both in Norway and internationally. Data material (anonymised) produced in TRAZEPO will be used in subsequent projects, thus enabling longitudinal studies of ports in sustainability transition processes.

TRAZEPO har gitt et vesentlig bidrag til utvikling av forskningsområdet 'sustainability transitions' i Norge, og bidratt med ny kunnskap om en sektor (havnesektoren) som forut for prosjekt knapt hadde fått oppmerksomhet innen fagområdet. Prosjektet har vært viktig med tanke på faglig utvikling og nettverksbygging for såvel yngre som mer etablerte forskere ved de ulike partnerinstitusjonene. Dette kommer særlig til uttrykk i flere vitenskapelige publikasjoner i anerkjente internasjonale tidsskrift. TRAZEPO har bidratt til å sette havners viktige roller i omstillingsprosesser på kartet, og avdekket sentrale drivere og barrierer for bærekraftig omstilling i havnesektoren. Dette kan bidra til mer effektiv politikk- og virkemiddelutforming for å understøtte et grønt skifte i denne sektoren. I prosjektet er det gjennomført jevnlige møter med prosjektpartnere, som alle spiller viktige roller i bærekraftig omstilling av norsk havnesektor. Prosjektet har også nytt godt av synergier med andre prosjekt (GREENFLEET og FME NTRANS), og fungert som plattform for etablering av nye prosjekt (ACES, INTERPORT) med fokus på havnesektoren og omstilling.

TRAZEPO will provide relevant decision-makers with knowledge of technologies and opportunities which can accelerate transitions to ports as zero-emission energy hubs. This involves understanding prerequisites on and between the micro level (specific ports, with particular sets of operations, activities and actor constituents) and the macro level (the broader energy and transport system). This project aims to enable decision-makers to progress transitions towards ports as zero-emission energy hubs. The idea of ports as energy hubs refers to their potential for providing low- and zero-carbon energy to different end users both at the port and beyond. We thus conceptualise energy hubs as both a central point in a region and as a central node in a network where multiple energy distribution systems intercept and wherein energy flows can be converted. Energy hubs can allow refuelling of different energy carriers/source, conversion and production or generation of energy. The energy hub represents an interface between different energy infrastructures and/or loads, and integrating different energy carriers might allow for system improvements. However, this will require complex adaptation processes involving multiple actors and stakeholders, implying that there is a need for coordination of initiatives and efforts. Also, adaptation of extant, and development of new, energy infrastructure and solutions will require that both technological and non-technological factors (institutions, extant practices) are addressed. Therefore, TRAZEPO draws on insights from sustainability transitions research as an overarching theoretical framework in this cross-disciplinary project that aims to both provide new knowledge of general interest to practitioners, stakeholders and the academic community, as well as specific recommendations as to the transition towards zero-emission ports.