The PINS project will validate the feasibility of a novel shore-power and recharging infrastructure that minimises the grid power availability and price barriers encountered in previous shore-power projects (eg SeaChange at Portsmouth). A central feature of the PINS solution is energy storage in the port or harbour operating under a multi-vector energy management system. The PINS project will perform front end engineering design (FEED) of a scaleable port solution that is commercially attractive for ports and vessel operators, without subsidy. Three port/harbour locations will be studied as early-adopter sites: 1. Cowes, where new recharging infrastructure is needed to serve vessels on two Green Corridors (along the Medina river and across the Solent): 2. Portsmouth, where the value-add of battery storage can be analysed in new shore-power facilities for cross-channel ferries; 3. Falmouth, where recharging of future small electric passenger ferries is needed in locations served by only a standard 415VAC 3-phase connection. For each pilot site and duty-cycle scenario, four battery types will be evaluated as the key storage technology. Feasibility today will be assessed using two scaled battery types (LFP and re-used Li-ion) while future feasibility (in 2030) will be assessed using two pre-scale battery types (NIB and SLFB) which offer significant UK supply chain potential. PINS will also assess solutions for transferring power from shore to vessel, including automated wireless charging and megawatt-scale optimum solutions for integration in the PINS solution, serving a range of vessel sizes. PINS will deliver benefits to the port/harbour sector including: * Enabling faster uptake of electric vessels in grid constrained locations * Multi-vector port energy solutions including BESS that can be made commercially viable, highlighting the role of cost-saving activities (load peak shaving, grid power arbitrage); * Optimised exploitation of in-port generation (mainly PV solar) to reduce dependency on grid supply capacity and pricing; * Reduction of civil works CAPEX by minimising power rating of underground cabling to at-berth BESS facilities; * Enhanced duty cycle of port assets by provision of energy services to other users (EV chargers, bus re-charging points etc). Similarly, PINS benefits to the energy system supply chain include: * Road-mapping of BESS technologies to highlight when and how these could become competitive for port energy systems deployment; * Promoting the accessible maritime market for BESS, battery management and energy management systems to attract UK scale-up investment.

The HyCap Drive project will build a prototype marine parallel hybrid drive in which the electrical power is provided by a super-capacitor energy store. This differs from the traditional marine hybrid drive configuration that uses lithium-ion batteries as the source of electrical power. The main advantages of this novel HyCap configuration are: (1) enhanced power density compared with lithium-ion batteries, meaning a smaller weight and volume overhead on the vessel; (2) very high power ramp-up from a relatively small super-capacitor; (3) avoidance of the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries; (4) lower cost and longer life compared with lithium-ion batteries; (5) suitability for retro-fitting (due to its compactness) offering a stronger investment case for decarbonising existing diesel-powered vessels. Collaborations with a range of vessel operators and naval architects over recent years have highlighted a number of common use-cases where this type of hybrid drive would offer substantial benefits. These include: ferries which require short-duration high power for manoeuvring into/away from berth; workboats that cruise at modest speed with bursts at higher power/speed. In such use-cases, the energy required for the boost power of limited duration is compatible with the capabilities of the super-capacitor modules. The project will build and test a prototype unit comprising an existing parallel hybrid gearbox and electric motor, coupled with an assembly of super-capacitor modules and associated dc-dc converter and variable frequency drive. This will be tested in a laboratory rig comprising a prime-mover engine and output dynamometer, with a full suite of monitoring and logging facilities.

As a maritime nation, the UK depends on its port infrastructure and it is essential to find ways of de-carbonising ports as part of the nation's zero-carbon ambition. The PESO project will make significant progress towards achieving that goal, by piloting a solution that could be rolled out across the UK port sector. Ports are major users of energy, for operation of dockside handling facilities and powering of port vessels such as pilot craft and tugs. In addition, berthed vessels use energy to power their onboard facilities, which on a cruise liner are very extensive. Under pressure to improve air quality and reduce their carbon footprint, ports are trying to reduce their use of fossil fuels and to use electricity instead. Initiatives to electrify infrastructure or to install onsite renewable generation at ports (Eg solar PV on the large roof area in ports) may be stalled by the requirement for expensive network reinforcement to meet the potentially higher electricity import and/or export loads. PESO will overcome this problem by integrating a novel battery technology into the port energy network, optimised to suit the port environment. Energy generated onsite can be stored in the battery until it is needed. An advanced energy management system can optimise the energy flow around the port, and coordinate with the grid, in order to optimise the cost effectiveness of the overall system, and reduce or eliminate grid reinforcement costs. These benefits will accelerate the pace of investment in port de-carbonisation. The PESO pilot system will be deployed in Portsmouth International Port, where it can integrate the port's investment in solar power and in the battery storage. Energy management software will be developed by Swanbarton, while the Energy Systems Catapult will model impacts on the local and national grid. Marine South East is leading the project, and will plan how the technology can be rolled out across UK ports as rapidly as possible.

Awaiting public summary

It is acknowledged that foundations costs impose a large cost burden on today's offshore wind and wave energy systems. The OPEC project is addressing the critical cost by advancing a novel concept that would replace traditional foundations, and achieve a 20% reduction in the cost of energy produced by these systems. OPEC comprises a large floating structure, fabricated cost-effectively in reinforced concrete modules, designed to support multiple wind and wave devices and also aquaculture facilities. This sharing of foundation costs across multiple facilities means that unit costs are significantly reduced. The project is also exploring deployment of such systems in developing island states and isolated coastal communities, which currently suffer from very high electricity costs, and which would benefit economically from new aquaculture production. Such deployment would also provide valuable demonstration of OPEC, to enhance it credibility to investors in UK and other developed markets.