Schneider Electric’s study into the emissions from idling ships at berth in UK ports discovered that by plugging into the power grid with 100% renewable electricity and turning off their diesel engines, ships at berth in the UK would reduce emissions equivalent to 84,000-166,000 diesel buses – or 1.2m diesel cars representative of the current UK fleet.
“The UK is one of the last global regions to introduce shore connections at its ports and it will take industry collaboration and innovation to bring forward the introduction of portside electricity in a quick and sustainable manner,” said Peter Selway, marine segment marketing manager at Schneider Electric.
Shore technology important
The UK could bypass a major health hazard as well as avoid health and environmental impacts of up to GB£402m per year through the elimination of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates – using the introduction of shore connections at UK ports, the report pointed out.
If all the emissions from the auxiliary engines at berth from these vessels were reduced to zero by replacement with power from 100% renewable electricity sources, the value in reducing emissions would be between GB£136m and GB£483m per year.
