Identifying the unique challenges of installing cold ironing at small and medium ports – The case of aberdeen

Abstract

Emissions from shipping contribute significantly to both climate change and local air pollution. Cold ironing (onshore power supply) reduces emissions while ships are berthed in port by providing power from shore-side electricity rather than onboard auxiliary generators. Previous research has focused on installing the technology in large ports but if policy goals (particularly in the EU) are to be achieved then smaller ports must also install the technology. Therefore, this study examines the feasibility of installing cold ironing in a medium sized port with several small berths, based on the case of Aberdeen.Vessel call data were analysed to calculate energy demand and a cold ironing system was designed, including separate OPS units for numerous small berths. The total capital cost was £6.6 m (€7.4 m) and the system could save annual emissions of 108 tonnes of NOx, 2.7 tonnes of PM and 4,767 tonnes of CO2 emissions worth £1.3 m (€1.4 m). Payback scenarios were examined via SCBA, based on the external costs of potential emission savings. In the best case scenario, the substantial external cost benefits would return the system capital and operating costs in only 7.0 years, or 3.5 years if subsidised 50% by the EU. Challenges result from several small berths needing individual OPS units, long cables and cable reel storage, as well as the need for several vessels to install the onboard technology, which must be overcome if ports besides the large cruise and container ports are to install cold ironing.