Zuidnatie first to test shore power supply for marine vessels based on mobile battery

Thursday 14 September 2023 – A pilot project started yesterday at Zuidnatie’s terminal in which shore power was connected to the ocean-going vessel ‘UAL Osprey’ by means of a Zenobē battery. This makes Zuidnatie the first terminal in Belgium to test shore power in this way on a seagoing vessel. The pilot project was realised together with UAL, the shipping company and long-time partner of Zuidnatie. Zenobē, a partner in energy storage and fleet electrification, is leading the project.

Seagoing ships use their own generators to generate electricity when sailing or stationary, but running diesel engines in port is unnecessarily environmentally damaging. In the near future, such ships will be required to power themselves without using fossil fuels, also known as cold ironing.  However, the necessary infrastructure to connect directly to the electricity grid is not available everywhere. A mobile battery could be a solution for this.

In the pilot project, Zenobē used a second-life battery, also known as a Powerskid: a battery used in a previous life to power electric buses. Zenobē is ensuring that the battery gets a second life thanks to this project, ensuring the battery minerals are used for as long as possible.

The aim of the project is to collect measured data on consumption and consumption peaks, something that has not yet been researched. Zenobē chose a 150 kWh Powerskid, backed up by 2 generators, to capture and record the unprecedented peaks. In a second phase, the battery will be scaled up and these additional generators will no longer be needed. The battery will then be powered by Zuidnatie’s PV plant. The delivered voltage will be 400 volts and the energy will be brought on board by means of a cable package (see photo).

Robby Van Bunder, CTO Zuidnatie: “The collaboration with Zenobē stemmed from a chance meeting with our Managing Director Stéphanie Feys and a delegate from VIL during a networking event. An exploratory conversation around green energy took place and since then we have been in contact with Zenobē for several projects, including this one. The big test finally took place yesterday afternoon and the first impressions are very positive. The test brings us another step closer to a green future, which we as a company are striving so hard for.”

In the long term, Zuidnatie want to offer this form of shore power to all shipping companies calling at the terminals. At a later stage, Zuidnatie plans to use the generated energy from its solar panels as a power source to charge the batteries.

“Ports are ready to decarbonise and the technology is available today. With this pilot project at Zuidnatie and the Port of Antwerp, Zenobe is proving that batteries can support the path to net zero in port operations. With our most recent capital increase, Zenobe is well placed to support the Green Deal and the greening of all elements of port operations.” – Steven Meersman Founder/Director Zenobe