Shift2DC starts Portuguese Demo
Shift2DC partners gathered in Madeira on April 3rd to strategise the trajectory of the Portuguese demonstrator, poised to explore the electrification potential of ports globally. Hosted at the Port of Funchal, the meeting united representatives from key institutions driving the demo’s momentum: INESC-ID, EDP Renewables, Interactive Technologies Institute, Electricidade da Madeira (EEM), and Administração dos Portos da Região Autónoma da Madeira (APRAM).
The inaugural assembly aimed to delineate a roadmap for the demonstrator’s progression, objectives, requisite infrastructure, and crucial research tasks. The Portuguese demonstrator, nestled in the heart of Madeira, has two main goals: to assess the efficacy of Direct Current (DC) solutions within port environments, leveraging a Digital Twin of the Port of Funchal, and to get feedback from end-users.
The Port of Funchal, a nexus of maritime activity, teems with potential yet grapples with challenges synonymous with complete electrification. The Port of Madeira aims to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, a feat contingent upon seamless integration with visiting vessels, including up to four cruise ships on peak days.
Four use cases will be meticulously examined throughout the demonstrator’s lifecycle:
- DC Port Management: Unveiling strategies to mitigate the strain of burgeoning energy demands, notably from cruise ships, through the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- DC Port/Grid Coordination: Harnessing the port’s latent potential to bolster grid stability during lulls in maritime activity, offering ancillary services vital for grid management.
- DC Microgrid: Fortifying the port’s resilience by simulating scenarios where it operates autonomously, detached from the main grid, necessitating adept management of storage assets.
- Port as a DC Energy Hub: Positioning the port as an epitome of energy convergence, exploring the integration of hydrogen systems alongside solar and storage solutions.
