Reykjavik Harbor System Analysis: Shore Side Electricity Connections for Containerships in the Eimskip Terminal
Author: Alfonso Barrernchea
Year: 2017
Supervisors: David C. Finger & Hlynur Stefánsson
Abstract
While at berth vessels burn marine gas oil in the auxiliary engines to power the ships electrical system. Container-ship stops range from 12 to 72 hours, meaning that fuel is being constantly burned at the harbor near densely populated areas. Shore Side Electricity aims to remove the pollutants created from auxiliary engines at the harbor by directly connecting the vessels to the local electricity system. In addition, as fuel prices increase due to stringent maritime regulation the price to power a ship via shore side electricity will be cheaper than through conventional berthing fuels. The Reykjavik harbor gets fed cheap low carbon energy from the Icelandic energy mix that could in turn produce a cleaner and more profitable harbor. This project analyzes the technical, environmental, and financial aspects related to shore side electricity at the Eimskip terminal. By analyzing the schedules, fuel consumption patterns, and power demands of the three trade lines that visit the Eimskip quay the most per year (each line made of two vessels) an estimated emission factor as well as an estimated net present value was calculated. Three potential retrofit scenarios are presented throughout the project each with a detailed emission total, net present value, as well as recommendations for how to retrofit low voltage vessels in accordance to international Shore Side Electricity standards ISO-80005. This thesis concludes with a final dollar figure on the price per ton of CO2 equivalent abated from the Reykjavik harbor and compares it to other Icelandic projects. If Shore Side Electricity is up-scaled from the six vessel study to the estimated sixty six container-ships calling to Reykjavik per year the emissions saved would surpass that of an Icelandic electric car fleet, and do so in a more cost efficient matter.