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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

INTERPORT - Integrated energy systems in ports

Alternative title: INTERPORT - Integrerte energisystemer i havner

Awarded: NOK 8.0 mill.

Project Number:

327024

Project Period:

2021 - 2025

Funding received from:

Subject Fields:

NTERPORT develops sustainable solutions for ports as energy hubs, contributing to Norway's transition to a zero-emission society. The National Transport Plan 2018-2029 sees an important role for ports as zero-emission energy hubs, offering infrastructure providing a mix of energy carriers, e.g. on-shore power supply, hydrogen-based fuels and bio-fuels. The objective of INTERPORT is to develop and disseminate knowledge on design of integrated, decarbonized, and cost-efficient energy systems in ports, aiming to reduce the port's carbon footprint by at least 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Shipping is an environmental-friendly way to transport goods and passengers. Still, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from domestic shipping accounts for 10% of Norway's total GHG emissions. With development and diffusion of multiple energy carriers and fuels for different end-users in the marine sector, there is a need to better understand integration and management of energy systems. INTERPORT considers the port, its users (e.g. ships, logistics, land-based transport) and its surroundings (e.g. industries and buildings) as an integrated energy system, and evaluates synergies between local production, conversion, storage, and supply of low-carbon fuels, electricity, and thermal energy. In this system, the optimal energy carrier is supplied to different end users, in terms of cost- and energy-efficiency, safety and reliability. This enables ports and authorities to increase robustness and flexibility of the energy system and to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen-based fuels (e.g. ammonia). INTERPORT combines techno-economic and socio-technical perspectives considering interaction between actors, institutions, and technologies. Assessments of framework conditions, policies and regulations and their impact on future energy demand are included. New business models are explored to generate value for business actors, accelerate transition, and enhance the competitiveness of individual ports. The project started in October, mostly focusing on defining a set of reference cases that are representative for Norwegian ports and user partners.

Shipping is considered one of the most environmentally efficient ways to transport goods and passengers. Still, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from domestic shipping accounts for 10 % of Norway's total GHG emissions. Among others, the National Transport Plan for 2018-2029 sees a future role for ports as zero-emission energy hubs, offering an infrastructure providing a mix of energy carriers, such as on-shore power supply, hydrogen-based fuels and biofuels. INTERPORT aims to propose sustainable energy hub solutions that contribute to Norway's transition to a zero-emission society. With the current development and diffusion of multiple types of energy carriers and fuels for different end users, there is a strong need for better understanding of energy system integration and management. INTERPORT will address this by considering the port, its users (e.g. ships, logistics, land-based transport) and its surroundings (e.g. industries and buildings) as an integrated energy system, and evaluate synergies between local production, conversion, storage, and supply of low-carbon-fuels, electricity, and thermal energy. In such a system, the optimal energy carrier will be supplied to different end users, in terms of cost-efficiency, energy-efficiency, safety and reliability. It also enables ports and authorities to increase the robustness and flexibility of the energy system, and accelerating the uptake of hydrogen based fuels. To realise zero-emission ports, substantial changes in regulations, roles, and practices are also required. INTERPORT will combine techno-economic and socio-technical perspectives considering multi-level interaction between actors, institutions and technologies. Also included are assessments of framework conditions, policies and regulations and their impact on anticipated future energy demand. New business models will be explored to generate value for business actors, accelerate transition, and enhance the competitiveness of individual ports.

Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi