Optimal Configuration and Sizing of Seaport Microgrids including Renewable Energy and Cold Ironing—The Port of Aalborg Case Study

Nur Najihah Abu Bakar,Josep M. Guerrero,Yusuf A. Al-Turki,Najmeh Bazmohammadi,Juan C. Vasquez,Brian Dalby Rasmussen,Muzaidi Othman

doi:10.3390/en15020431

Nur Najihah Abu Bakar, Josep M. Guerrero + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en15020431

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Abstract

Microgrids are among the promising green transition technologies that will provide enormous benefits to the seaports to manage major concerns over energy crises, environmental challenges, and economic issues. However, creating a good design for the seaport microgrid is a challenging task, considering different objectives, constraints, and uncertainties involved. To ensure the optimal operation of the system, determining the right microgrid configuration and component size at minimum cost is a vital decision at the design stage. This paper aims to design a hybrid system for a seaport microgrid with optimally sized components. The selected case study is the Port of Aalborg, Denmark. The proposed grid-connected structure consists of renewable energy sources (photovoltaic system and wind turbines), an energy storage system, and cold ironing facilities. The seaport architecture is then optimized by utilizing HOMER to meet the maximum load demand by considering important parameters such as solar global horizontal irradiance, temperature, and wind resources. Finally, the best configuration is analyzed in terms of economic feasibility, energy reliability, and environmental impacts.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilPorts worldwide have different sizes, operations, geological, geographical features, and a variety of energy sources that will affect their power demand as well as energy production
(HOMER) is is aa simulation-based simulation-based software used to optimize any integrated system by finding the right size of the software used to optimize any integrated system by finding the right size of equipment the equipand the best possible system configuration while minimizing the net present cost (NPC)
This paper provided an optimal architecture for a seaport microgrid to support cold ironing services at ports

Summary

Introduction

Ports worldwide have different sizes, operations, geological, geographical features, and a variety of energy sources that will affect their power demand as well as energy production. The main sources of energy supply come from the utility grid and diesel generators, constantly emitting greenhouse gas emissions. The energy sector is encountering primary energy depletion, considering that the growing load demand is exceeding power generation. The urge to use alternative clean energy resources makes microgrids one of the best solutions for future green seaports. In 2019, Denmark showed a remarkable result by generating half of its electricity from wind and solar power [1]. The advantage of the climate’s constant breezes and bluster in this country makes the wind turbine practical for use and well established.

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