REDII Ports Study

Sustainable energy for the port of Emden

Like many companies, ports are facing a major challenge: switching to a climate-neutral energy supply. Generating and storing CO2-neutral electricity and heat are central tasks of the energy transition.

Using the port of Emden as an example, a potential study was commissioned as part of the INTERREG REDIIPorts project in order to draw up an inventory of the port's energy consumption. The study also shows the various options for renewable energy generation through photovoltaics, wind and hydropower as well as storage technologies and options for heat generation for the port of Emden. In particular, small-scale solutions were examined, which are becoming more and more attractive compared to large plants in the wake of rising energy and CO2 prices and, in contrast to large wind turbines, for example, are easier to approve.

The aim is to make port operations CO₂-neutral by 2040 and drive forward a sustainable transformation. This requires not only more in-house energy generation, but also innovative solutions that intelligently combine electricity and heat generation.
What options are there for generating and storing renewable energy in ports? The following diagram provides an overview.

Dr. Matthäus Wuczkowski, Leitung Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation

Dr. Matthäus Wuczkowski

Head of Sustainability and Innovation

Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG

Head Office Oldenburg
Hindenburgstraße 26 - 30
26122 Oldenburg

mwuczkowski@nports.de

Selected technologies from the study at a glance

Grafik
Pumped storage
Water power point absorber
Floating PV
Wind Turbine
Rooftop PV
Facade PV
Battery storage
CH generation
PEFMC
PAFC
Water heat storage
Ice storage tanks
Solar foil
Small Wind Turbine
Vertical Wind Turbine
Mini biogas plant
Power2H2 - Electrolyzers
Pavegen
Solar roof tiles
Air-to-water HP
Water-to-water HP
Waste water HP
Gravity storage
Solar sun sail
Solar fence
Wind kite
Night storage heater
Pellet boilers
Solar thermal energy
Biomass boiler
Solar carports
Solar paving
Flywheel accumulator
Pumped storage

A pumped storage power plant pumps water into a higher holding basin when there is excess electricity in the grid. If electricity is needed in the grid, the water is run downhill through pipes (gravity principle) and then drives a turbine whose kinetic energy is converted back into electricity using the generator principle.

  • No reliable statement on costs and function
Water power point absorber

In this technological approach, a float is attached to a lifting metal rod on the edge of a quay or similar to utilize the energy from wave power. The waves lift the float, the movement is transmitted via the lifting rod and converted into electrical energy with the help of a generator.

  • Almost constant amount of electricity generated
  • can be installed at different quay areas
  • Only small amounts of electricity
  • Higher maintenance costs
  • Placement of the device is important, as optimal wave conditions should prevail
Rooftop PV

There are many possible applications for rooftop photovoltaic systems in the port area. There are countless mounting options available on the market for installing the modules, meaning that in principle any roof surface can be covered with modules.

  • very high generation potential
  • load-bearing capacity of the various roof structures (statcis) can limit the use
  • abrasion caused by (fine) dusty port air
Air-to-water HP

The air-to-water heat pump is the most widely used heat pump technology. It is particularly suitable for use where neither deep boreholes nor surface collectors are possible.

  • Advantageous in the area of “Old building”
  • Low efficiency compared to water-to-water heat pumps
  • Noise level
Solar thermal energy

One way of utilizing the thermal potential of the sun is solar thermal energy. In this technology, glass tubes filled with oil are exposed to solar radiation. The modules are connected to a heating circuit, for example, and transfer the temperature of the oil to the heating water using the heat exchanger principle.

  • higher energy yield than solar power
  • can also be used as an optimizer for process heat applications
  • more expensive than solar power
Biomass boiler

While pellet systems can be up to a few hundred kilowatts in size, biomass systems can be found well into the MW range. Wood chips are often used as fuel.

  • Diverse fuel supply (road, rail, ship)
  • slightly cheaper than pellets
  • High support and maintenance costs
  • Not suitable for small systems
PEMFC

The PEMFC is a low-temperature fuel cell and works with a polymer electrolyte. This makes it ideal for supplying heat and electricity to existing buildings, as it can supply the required flow temperatures for heating in the 70-90 °C range. The output of PEM fuel cells is in the range from 2 kW.

  • Suitable for use in residential buildings and mini combined heat and power systems
  • Low system efficiency
  • Sensitivity of the cathode to fouling of the fuel gas
  • higher maintenance costs
Battery storage

Battery electric storage is one of the classic and technically most advanced variants of electricity storage. The functional principle is based on an electrochemical process. There are currently various types of battery electric storage systems available on the market, of which lithium-ion technology is probably the most widespread.

  • Batteries in different performance classes
  • Fire hazard
  • Expensive technology due to lithium shortage
Water heat storage

The water heat storage tank is basically a very large buffer tank of the type used in conventional heating systems. It consists of a water tank with a capacity of several thousand cubic meters, which is covered with insulating material on the outside. The storage tank is connected to a heat source (e.g. biomass cogeneration plant) and can therefore absorb excess heat. Water heat storage tanks are available in various designs, including with direct heat generators that use surplus renewable electricity to generate heat.

  • Temperature can be maintained for a long time thanks to insulation
  • Enormous space requirement (area and height)
Flywheel accumulator

The flywheel accumulator is used to release a lot of power in a short time. This aspect is particularly interesting in the area of load profile optimization, known as peak shaving. With this technology, a flywheel is scheduled to start rotating shortly before an expected load peak. When the load peak occurs, the flywheel is decoupled from the electric motor and converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy using the generator principle.

  • more favorable electricity price, as power peaks can be reduced
  • Complex control requirements
  • Limited usability (depending on load peaks)
Pellet boilers

The fuel is pelletized wood waste (sawdust and damaged wood), which as a standardized product has a consistent quality (consistent calorific value). Due to the combustion process, high temperature levels of up to approx. 90 °C can be achieved in the heating flow.

  • variable temperature level (enables gradual refurbishment)
  • Fuel costs cheaper compared to fossil fuels
  • Political pressure to ban this technology
  • higher maintenance requirements
Night storage heater

With a night storage heater, an electricity-powered heating element is used during the day to generate heat, which is stored in a ceramic heat accumulator for the night hours. This technology is particularly useful when there is a surplus of electricity from renewable sources.

  • No piping required
  • low installation costs
  • low economic efficiency, if mains power has to be used
Solar carports

Open spaces such as parking lots generally offer great potential for generating solar power. As the areas must of course provide space for vehicles and maneuvering, solar carports are a means of setting up the photovoltaic system decoupled from the ground. This allows the area to be used for both parking and energy generation.

  • Output per area is increased
  • Carport offers protection for vehicles
  • High investment costs (3 times higher than normal rooftop PV systems)
  • higher construction costs
  • increased risk of damage and therefore frequent maintenance
Facade PV

Industrial buildings in particular often have large, straight facade surfaces with few openings for windows, doors or gates. Facade photovoltaics are particularly suitable for surfaces such as these. It is possible to install glass modules with special wall brackets as a curtain wall - whereby the space in between can then also be used to insulate the building.

  • Important for production halls & silos
  • Ultra Thin modules can be used on facades, which prevents static problems
  • higher assembly costs, as the use of large scaffolding or elevator platforms is often necessary
  • Lower efficiency due to vertical installation
  • Risk of vandalism
Small Wind Turbine

Like their larger counterparts, small wind turbines are systems that generate electricity by using the kinetic energy of the wind.

  • High variety of possible installation locations
  • No lengthy approval procedures are to be expected
  • No long-term reports yet on durability & actual amount of electricity produced
Ice storage tanks

Ice storage tanks are used where heat is supplied by a heat pump. The ice storage tank uses the thermal energy during the phase transition from water to ice and vice versa. This technology is particularly useful where a low temperature level is required for heating purposes.

Mini biogas plant

The principle of biogas production is based on a fermentation process in which the energetic base material is mixed with water and bacterial cultures. The enzyme cleavage of the base material by bacterial cultures produces methane. This can either be converted into electricity in a CHP unit or fed into the local gas grid as biogas after processing.

  • Use of food waste or human faeces as base material
  • small plant size
  • High additional costs for the treatment of the gas
  • Daily personnel costs for filling & emptying the plant
  • Biogas yield is at a comparatively low level
Solar foil

Solar foil is an ultra-thin and particularly flexible solar module. With almost the same generation capacity and life expectancy, this technology weighs 30-50% less than other glass modules.

  • can be used on roofs with insufficient statics
  • increases PV potential
  • uncertainty with regard to Durability & actual power yield (as new on the market)
  • abrasion due to dusty air could damage substrate material
Power2H2 - Electrolyzers

Surplus electricity is used to produce green hydrogen via an electrolyzer. This can then be used for electricity generation as well as for heat generation or combined heat and power generation.

  • Low costs
  • requires expensive grid electricity lack of generation
  • difficulties under licensing law
Gravity storage

A variation of the pumped storage power plant is the so-called gravity storage. Here, weights (e.g. concrete blocks, pressed metal scrap, non-recyclable components from wind turbines, etc.) are pulled up by a winch when there is a surplus of electricity in the grid and lowered when there is a shortage of electricity. When lowered, the cable to which the weight is attached is unwound and electricity is generated using the generator principle. Gravity storage systems can be erected in the form of a crane or inside a building. The output is in the MW range.

  • Low investment price
  • Probably increased maintenance effort
  • A lot of space is required for the system
  • High weight
  • likely high costs
Waste water HP

Another usable environmental energy is the residual heat from waste water. The principle works in the same way as a water-to-water heat pump. The difference is the heat exchanger, which is installed in the volume flow of a wastewater pipe or sewer. Waste water has an average annual temperature of approx. 11°C and, if the volume flow is constant, offers a high proportion of usable heat energy.

  • Relatively high efficiency
  • complex installation
  • Increased maintenance effort on the heat exchanger side
PAFC

Compared to other fuel cells, the PAFC works with phosphoric acid as the electrolyte and is well suited for combined heat and power generation in the industrial sector (without high temperature requirements). In this type of fuel cell, electricity and heat generation is based on the splitting of hydrogen into its components water and oxygen.

  • Dynamic behavior (power controllability)
  • robust construction
  • comparatively lower power density
  • frequent replacement of the anode & cathode, due to the phosphoric acid
Floating PV

Floating PV is ideal for unused water areas in the harbor. It consists of a flexible aluminum frame and the actual PV system. The wave-going system can be positioned outside the harbor in direct weather conditions.

  • Little or unused water areas can be used to generate electricity
  • Combination with point absorbers or small wind turbines possible
  • Higher system efficiency, as water cools the system
  • Difficult accessibility
  • frequent need for cleaning
Water-to-water HP

This technology uses the medium of water, or the environmental energy it contains, to generate heat. A refrigerant is fed in a closed circuit past a heat exchanger connected to a water circuit, then absorbs the temperature level of the water, is fed to a compressor and compressed there, the temperature level rises with increasing pressure. The compressed refrigerant is fed back past a heat exchanger that is connected to the heating system and releases the heat. This is followed by an expansion valve, which allows the refrigerant to expand and return to its original state, further reducing the temperature.

  • Low volume of water required for use
  • Water is more stable against fluctuations
  • required antifreeze is a potential risk of environmental damage
  • clogging of the heat exchanger can cause lower efficiency
Wind Turbine

A wind turbine generates energy from the air flow. The wind drives the turbine's rotor blades, which transmit their rotation via the downstream gearbox to a generator, which then produces the electricity.

  • Significantly higher yields compared to small-scale solutions
  • Challenges under licensing law, especially with regard to noise quotas
CH generation

In combined heat and power generation, a fuel is fed to an engine which is connected to a generator. Combustion produces heat that can be used for heating or process purposes. In addition, electricity is generated by the built-in generator.

  • Can be used if there is a steady supply of renewable fuel and high heat consumption
  • requires constantly high heat consumption for economic efficiency
Vertical Wind Turbine

In a vertical wind turbine, the rotor blades are arranged vertically around their own axis.

  • Wind direction not relevant
  • No need to track the system
  • Lower noise and vibration emissions
  • lower generation capacity due to lower efficiency
Pavegen

The idea behind Pavegen is a floor that converts the weight of footsteps into electricity using the piezo effect. With this technology, the force of a mass applied to the floor (e.g. the steps of a person) is transferred to a flexible substrate, which deforms and thus generates a voltage. Although the amount of electricity generated is very small, it could be increased by a large number of steps, for example when boarding a ferry.

  • High installation costs
Wind kite

With this technology, a cable winch stationed on the ground with a built-in generator is used to raise a fabric kite into the air and bring it back down to the ground. Repeating the process creates a constant flow of electricity.

  • Small system size
  • minimized shadow impact
  • minimized noise emissions
  • Longevity of the materials not investigated
  • Potential disadvantages in approval law issues
Solar roof tiles

Solar roof tiles are made of fired ceramic into which PV modules have been incorporated or are themselves PV modules made of conventional materials.

  • can also be used in the case of listed buildings or other building regulations & thus enable self-generation of electricity
  • approx. 25 % less output per m2 than conventional solar modules
  • approx. twice the investment price per kilowatt peak compared to conventional modules
Solar sun sail

For a solar sun sail, either a fabric is covered with thin photovoltaic film or a mesh of assembled mini photovoltaic modules is used.

  • susceptible to wind
  • low energy yield
Solar fence

A solar fence is a vertically elevated PV module that can take on the function of a fence as a row.

  • not more expensive than rooftop PV
  • Risk of damage due to wind
  • High degree of soiling under port-specific environmental conditions
  • Risk of damage due to vandalism or hitting the modules
Solar paving

The solar paving consists of PV modules that either have the dimensions of paving or standard PV modules. For installation, the pavement of the parking areas is cut and removed, then the paving is produced in accordance with standards and the modules are laid on top.

  • Maximum load of 8 t
  • High investment costs
  • Risk of damage to the system due to heavy vehicles driving over it
  • Risk of flooding
  • High degree of contamination under port-specific environmental conditions
Pumpspeicher

Pumped storage

read more

Wasserkraft-Punktabsorber

Water power point absorber

read more

Pumped storage

A pumped storage power plant pumps water into a higher holding basin when there is excess electricity in the grid. If electricity is needed in the grid, the water is run downhill through pipes (gravity principle) and then drives a turbine whose kinetic energy is converted back into electricity using the generator principle.

  • No reliable statement on costs and function

Water power point absorber

In this technological approach, a float is attached to a lifting metal rod on the edge of a quay or similar to utilize the energy from wave power. The waves lift the float, the movement is transmitted via the lifting rod and converted into electrical energy with the help of a generator.

  • Almost constant amount of electricity generated
  • can be installed at different quay areas
  • Only small amounts of electricity
  • Higher maintenance cost
  • Placement of the device is important, as optimal wave conditions should prevail
Dachflächen PV

Rooftop PV

read more

Luft-Wasser WP

Air-to-water HP

read more

Rooftop PV

There are many possible applications for rooftop photovoltaic systems in the port area. There are countless mounting options available on the market for installing the modules, meaning that in principle any roof surface can be covered with modules.

  • very high generation potential
  • load-bearing capacity of the various roof structures (statcis) can limit the use
  • abrasion caused by (fine) dusty port air

Air-to-water HP

The air-to-water heat pump is the most widely used heat pump technology. It is particularly suitable for use where neither deep boreholes nor surface collectors are possible.

  • Advantageous in the area of “Old building”
  • Low efficiency compared to water-to-water heat pumps
  • Noise level
Solarthermie

Solar thermal energy

read more

Biomassekessel

Biomass boiler

read more

Solar thermal energy

One way of utilizing the thermal potential of the sun is solar thermal energy. In this technology, glass tubes filled with oil are exposed to solar radiation. The modules are connected to a heating circuit, for example, and transfer the temperature of the oil to the heating water using the heat exchanger principle.

  • higher energy yield than solar power
  • can also be used as an optimizer for process heat applications
  • more expensive than solar power

Biomass boiler

While pellet systems can be up to a few hundred kilowatts in size, biomass systems can be found well into the MW range. Wood chips are often used as fuel.

  • Diverse fuel supply (road, rail, ship)
  • slightly cheaper than pellets
  • High support and maintenance costs
  • Not suitable for small systems
PEMFC

PEMFC

read more

Batterie-Speicher

Battery storage

read more

PEMFC

The PEMFC is a low-temperature fuel cell and works with a polymer electrolyte. This makes it ideal for supplying heat and electricity to existing buildings, as it can supply the required flow temperatures for heating in the 70-90 °C range. The output of PEM fuel cells is in the range from 2 kW.

  • uitable for use in residential buildings and mini combined heat and power systems
  • Low system efficiency
  • Sensitivity of the cathode to fouling of the fuel gas
  • higher maintenance costs

Battery storage

Battery electric storage is one of the classic and technically most advanced variants of electricity storage. The functional principle is based on an electrochemical process. There are currently various types of battery electric storage systems available on the market, of which lithium-ion technology is probably the most widespread.

  • Batteries in different performance classes
  • Fire hazard
  • Expensive technology due to lithium shortage
Wasserwärmespeicher

Water heat storage

read more

Schwungradspeicher

Flywheel accumulator

read more

Water heat storage

The water heat storage tank is basically a very large buffer tank of the type used in conventional heating systems. It consists of a water tank with a capacity of several thousand cubic meters, which is covered with insulating material on the outside. The storage tank is connected to a heat source (e.g. biomass cogeneration plant) and can therefore absorb excess heat. Water heat storage tanks are available in various designs, including with direct heat generators that use surplus renewable electricity to generate heat.

  • Temperature can be maintained for a long time thanks to insulation
  • Enormous space requirement (area and height)

Flywheel accumulator

  • more favorable electricity price, as power peaks can be reduced
  • Complex control requirements
  • Limited usability (depending on load peaks)
Pelletkessel

Pellet boilers

read more

Nachtspeicherofen

Night storage heater

read more

Pellet boilers

The fuel is pelletized wood waste (sawdust and damaged wood), which as a standardized product has a consistent quality (consistent calorific value). Due to the combustion process, high temperature levels of up to approx. 90 °C can be achieved in the heating flow.

  • variable temperature level (enables gradual refurbishment)
  • Fuel costs cheaper compared to fossil fuels
  • Political pressure to ban this technology
  • higher maintenance requirements

Night storage heater

With a night storage heater, an electricity-powered heating element is used during the day to generate heat, which is stored in a ceramic heat accumulator for the night hours. This technology is particularly useful when there is a surplus of electricity from renewable sources.

  • No piping required
  • low installation costs
  • low economic efficiency, if mains power has to be used
Carport PV

Solar carports

read more

Fassaden PV

Facade PV

read more

Solar carports

Open spaces such as parking lots generally offer great potential for generating solar power. As the areas must of course provide space for vehicles and maneuvering, solar carports are a means of setting up the photovoltaic system decoupled from the ground. This allows the area to be used for both parking and energy generation.

  • Output per area is increased
  • Carport offers protection for vehicles
  • High investment costs (3 times higher than normal rooftop PV systems)
  • higher construction costs
  • increased risk of damage and therefore frequent maintenance

Facade PV

Industrial buildings in particular often have large, straight facade surfaces with few openings for windows, doors or gates. Facade photovoltaics are particularly suitable for surfaces such as these. It is possible to install glass modules with special wall brackets as a curtain wall - whereby the space in between can then also be used to insulate the building.

  • Important for production halls & silos
  • Ultra Thin modules can be used on facades, which prevents static problems
  • higher assembly costs, as the use of large scaffolding or elevator platforms is often necessary
  • Lower efficiency due to vertical installation
  • Risk of vandalism
Carport PV

Small Wind Turbine

read more

Eisspeicher

Ice storage tanks

read more

Small Wind Turbine

Like their larger counterparts, small wind turbines are systems that generate electricity by using the kinetic energy of the wind.

  • High variety of possible installation locations
  • No lengthy approval procedures are to be expected
  • No long-term reports yet on durability & actual amount of electricity produced

Ice storage tanks

Ice storage tanks are used where heat is supplied by a heat pump. The ice storage tank uses the thermal energy during the phase transition from water to ice and vice versa. This technology is particularly useful where a low temperature level is required for heating purposes.

Mini-Biogasanlage PV

Mini biogas plant

read more

Solar foil

Solar foil

read more

Mini biogas plant

The principle of biogas production is based on a fermentation process in which the energetic base material is mixed with water and bacterial cultures. The enzyme cleavage of the base material by bacterial cultures produces methane. This can either be converted into electricity in a CHP unit or fed into the local gas grid as biogas after processing.

  • Use of food waste or human faeces as base material
  • small plant size
  • High additional costs for the treatment of the gas
  • Daily personnel costs for filling & emptying the plant
  • Biogas yield is at a comparatively low level

Solar foil

Solar foil is an ultra-thin and particularly flexible solar module. With almost the same generation capacity and life expectancy, this technology weighs 30-50% less than other glass modules.

  • can be used on roofs with insufficient statics
  • increases PV potential
  • uncertainty with regard to Durability & actual power yield (as new on the market)
  • abrasion due to dusty air could damage substrate material
Power2H2 - Electrolyzers

Power2H2 - Electrolyzers

read more

Gravity storage

Gravity storage

read more

Power2H2 - Electrolyzers

Surplus electricity is used to produce green hydrogen via an electrolyzer. This can then be used for electricity generation as well as for heat generation or combined heat and power generation.

  • Low costs
  • requires expensive grid electricity lack of generation
  • difficulties under licensing law

Gravity storage

A variation of the pumped storage power plant is the so-called gravity storage. Here, weights (e.g. concrete blocks, pressed metal scrap, non-recyclable components from wind turbines, etc.) are pulled up by a winch when there is a surplus of electricity in the grid and lowered when there is a shortage of electricity. When lowered, the cable to which the weight is attached is unwound and electricity is generated using the generator principle. Gravity storage systems can be erected in the form of a crane or inside a building. The output is in the MW range.

  • Low investment price
  • Probably increased maintenance effort
  • A lot of space is required for the system
  • High weight
  • likely high costs
Waste water HP

Waste water HP

read more

PAFC

PAFC

read more

Waste water HP

Another usable environmental energy is the residual heat from waste water. The principle works in the same way as a water-to-water heat pump. The difference is the heat exchanger, which is installed in the volume flow of a wastewater pipe or sewer. Waste water has an average annual temperature of approx. 11°C and, if the volume flow is constant, offers a high proportion of usable heat energy.

  • Relatively high efficiency
  • complex installation
  • Increased maintenance effort on the heat exchanger side

PAFC

Compared to other fuel cells, the PAFC works with phosphoric acid as the electrolyte and is well suited for combined heat and power generation in the industrial sector (without high temperature requirements). In this type of fuel cell, electricity and heat generation is based on the splitting of hydrogen into its components water and oxygen.

  • Dynamic behavior (power controllability)
  • robust construction
  • comparatively lower power density
  • frequent replacement of the anode & cathode, due to the phosphoric acid
Floating PV

Floating PV

read more

Water-to-water HP

Water-to-water HP

read more

Floating PV

Floating PV is ideal for unused water areas in the harbor. It consists of a flexible aluminum frame and the actual PV system. The wave-going system can be positioned outside the harbor in direct weather conditions.

  • Little or unused water areas can be used to generate electricity
  • Combination with point absorbers or small wind turbines possible
  • Higher system efficiency, as water cools the system
  • Difficult accessibility
  • frequent need for cleaning

Water-to-water HP

This technology uses the medium of water, or the environmental energy it contains, to generate heat. A refrigerant is fed in a closed circuit past a heat exchanger connected to a water circuit, then absorbs the temperature level of the water, is fed to a compressor and compressed there, the temperature level rises with increasing pressure. The compressed refrigerant is fed back past a heat exchanger that is connected to the heating system and releases the heat. This is followed by an expansion valve, which allows the refrigerant to expand and return to its original state, further reducing the temperature.

  • Low volume of water required for use
  • Water is more stable against fluctuations
  • required antifreeze is a potential risk of environmental damage
  • clogging of the heat exchanger can cause lower efficiency
Wind Turbine

Wind Turbine

read more

CH generation

CH generation

read more

Wind Turbine

A wind turbine generates energy from the air flow. The wind drives the turbine's rotor blades, which transmit their rotation via the downstream gearbox to a generator, which then produces the electricity.

  • Significantly higher yields compared to small-scale solutions
  • Challenges under licensing law, especially with regard to noise quotas

CH generation

In combined heat and power generation, a fuel is fed to an engine which is connected to a generator. Combustion produces heat that can be used for heating or process purposes. In addition, electricity is generated by the built-in generator.

  • Can be used if there is a steady supply of renewable fuel and high heat consumption
  • requires constantly high heat consumption for economic efficiency
Vertical Wind Turbine

Vertical Wind Turbine

read more

Wind kite

Wind kite

read more

Vertical Wind Turbine

In a vertical wind turbine, the rotor blades are arranged vertically around their own axis.

  • Wind direction not relevant
  • No need to track the system
  • Lower noise and vibration emissions
  • lower generation capacity due to lower efficiency

Wind kite

With this technology, a cable winch stationed on the ground with a built-in generator is used to raise a fabric kite into the air and bring it back down to the ground. Repeating the process creates a constant flow of electricity.

  • Small system size
  • minimized shadow impact
  • minimized noise emissions
  • Longevity of the materials not investigated
  • Potential disadvantages in approval law issues
Pavegen

Pavegen

read more

Solar roof tiles

Solar roof tiles

read more

Pavegen

The idea behind Pavegen is a floor that converts the weight of footsteps into electricity using the piezo effect. With this technology, the force of a mass applied to the floor (e.g. the steps of a person) is transferred to a flexible substrate, which deforms and thus generates a voltage. Although the amount of electricity generated is very small, it could be increased by a large number of steps, for example when boarding a ferry.

  • High installation costs

Solar roof tiles

Solar roof tiles are made of fired ceramic into which PV modules have been incorporated or are themselves PV modules made of conventional materials.

  • can also be used in the case of listed buildings or other building regulations & thus enable self-generation of electricity
  • approx. 25 % less output per m2 than conventional solar modules
  • approx. twice the investment price per kilowatt peak compared to conventional modules
Solar sun sail

Solar sun sail

read more

Solar fence

Solar fence

read more

Solar sun sail

For a solar sun sail, either a fabric is covered with thin photovoltaic film or a mesh of assembled mini photovoltaic modules is used.

  • susceptible to wind
  • low energy yield

Solar fence

A solar fence is a vertically elevated PV module that can take on the function of a fence as a row.

  • not more expensive than rooftop PV
  • Risk of damage due to wind
  • High degree of soiling under port-specific environmental conditions
  • Risk of damage due to vandalism or hitting the modules
Solar paving

Solar paving

read more

Solar paving

The solar paving consists of PV modules that either have the dimensions of paving or standard PV modules. For installation, the pavement of the parking areas is cut and removed, then the paving is produced in accordance with standards and the modules are laid on top.

  • Maximum load of 8 t
  • High investment costs
  • Risk of damage to the system due to heavy vehicles driving over it
  • Risk of flooding
  • High degree of contamination under port-specific environmental conditions

Transforming the (port) economy together!

Our economy is on the brink of change - and for this to succeed, everyone needs to get involved! The big question is: Which solutions will really get us ahead?

  • Do they make economic sense?
  • Are they innovative and marketable?

To find out, selected technologies were evaluated. The color coding (green very good, red bad) shows at a glance how different technologies perform and which have the greatest potential for a sustainable future. In this way, we create a solid basis for smart decisions - for our ports, our economy and our future!

The profitability calculations for Redii Ports were carried out in accordance with DIN 17463. With this dynamic investment calculation approach, all incoming and outgoing payments are taken into account for each period. This makes it easy to compare investments with each other.

Costs per kWh generated or stored were calculated for selected technologies. The calculations show that, particularly for established technologies, the costs per kilowatt hour generated or stored are higher than is sometimes assumed in everyday discourse.

Solar foil0,15 €
Rooftop photovoltaics0,12 €
Battery storage0,93 €
Gravity storage0,47 €
Air-to-water heat pump0,16 €
Harbor water heat pump0,25 €
Pellet boliers0,21 €
Solar thermal energy0,08 €

 

 

A look at the evaluation shows: Proven technologies prevail because they pay off for users. They are economically viable and already established.

At the other end of the scale are applications that do not fit into the port environment for various reasons - whether because they have special requirements, are still in an experimental phase or are not (yet) economically viable.

In between are promising technologies that are close to market maturity and already have a solid economic viability.

The analysis clearly shows which solutions we can tackle immediately, which technologies have potential and are on the right track. The result also shows that the development of a climate-friendly energy system is far from complete and that many individual solutions will be part of a larger solution strategy.

In addition to smaller solutions, the study compared a 3 MW rooftop photovoltaic system with an equally large 3 MW onshore wind turbine as an example (without subsidies). How does the profitability comparison turn out?

 

3 MW wind engine

Costs5.000.000 €
Return after Running Costs an reserve3.130.000 €
Interest after 20 years62%
Annually produced energy9.600.000 kWh
Saved CO24.166 t

 

3 MW Standard roof top PV

Costs3.600.000 €
Return after Running Costs an reserve780.600 €
Interest after 20 years21%
Annually produced energy2.796.000 kWh
Saved CO21.213 t

* For better comparability of the systems, a 100% self-consumption rate was assumed when calculating the profitability. The usual industrial electricity prices in 2022 were used as the basis for calculation.

 

The result is clear: both options are economical and can make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions. However, their implementation is associated with challenges. Photovoltaic systems require large contiguous areas and sufficient load-bearing capacity of the roofs. For larger wind turbines, fixed distance regulations and noise quotas can make implementation more difficult. In addition, both technologies must be erected in accordance with applicable nature conservation regulations, which can entail lengthy review procedures and a high level of bureaucracy.

The port of Emden is a central hub for business and logistics - but it is also a major energy consumer. Important energy consumers are the manufacturing companies and transhipment companies. In 2022, the port of Emden consumed around 293 GWh of electricity and 216 GWh of heat. The majority of the heat comes from fossil fuels such as natural gas and LNG. In total, the port generated CO₂ emissions of 211,000 tons per year - equivalent to the weight of a herd of 35,000 elephants. The following chart shows the port of Emden's CO2 emissions by energy source:

 

In theory, around 85% of the current heating requirements in the port of Emden could be replaced by environmentally friendly technologies such as heat pumps. The existing roof surfaces offer potential for photovoltaic systems - these could cover up to a fifth of annual electricity requirements. Other complementary solutions such as wind turbines or floating solar modules could play a decisive role.

Note on the balance sheet boundary: The study focused on the port areas managed by Niedersachsen Ports. The energy-related CO₂ emissions in the mobility sector only include those of port customers based in the port of Emden (e.g. handling equipment, commercial vehicles, ships). Emissions from merchant shipping were not taken into account.

The transformation to a CO₂-neutral port brings with it numerous challenges. Despite innovative technologies and ambitious targets, port operators sometimes face considerable obstacles.

  • Regulatory hurdles: Permits for renewable energies are often lengthy and complicated. Strict requirements often prevent rapid implementation.
  • Economic viability: Although sustainable technologies can save costs in the long term, investments are high. Without economic incentives, the expansion of renewable energies in ports remains limited.
  • Lack of infrastructure: Many renewable energies are weather-dependent - storage solutions are therefore essential, but expensive and cannot yet be used across the board. In addition, the necessary grid infrastructure to efficiently use or redistribute locally produced electricity is often lacking.
  • Cooperation between all stakeholders: The energy transition requires cooperation between many stakeholders. As the operator of the port infrastructure, NPorts itself is responsible for only 0.4% of the total emissions in the port of Emden. The transformation can therefore only succeed if all port users make their contribution.

The port of Emden has great potential to play a pioneering role in the climate-neutral port industry.

CO₂ emissions can be drastically reduced through the use of renewable energies, innovative storage technologies and efficient heat supply. Photovoltaics, heat pumps and the use of wind energy are particularly promising.

However, the transformation requires more than just technical solutions. Close cooperation between politics, business and port users is necessary to successfully shape the change.

The Redii Ports study we commissioned was mainly carried out in 2023 and was based on data from 2022. It focused on the generation and storage of renewable energy (electricity and heat) in an active port environment.

It is now becoming increasingly clear that the expansion of renewable energies is progressing - and it can be assumed that this trend will continue. This is also changing the perspective on the energy transition. A key question today is:

Which challenges can individuals overcome as part of the energy transition, and which need to be solved at a different level?

The reduction of CO₂ emissions is at the heart of all efforts. The results of the Redii Ports study serve as a practical toolbox. They offer the best possible options for action from an economic and climate protection perspective - both for individuals (e.g. economically viable use of photovoltaic systems) and for society as a whole (e.g. increased use of large-scale electricity storage systems and further sector coupling). 

The aim is to combine the greatest possible CO₂ reduction with high economic efficiency. However, these efforts sometimes reach their limits due to legal requirements.

The study therefore identifies the following areas of action for policymakers:
Areas for the expansion of onshore wind turbines are limited. Nevertheless, large wind turbines offer enormous potential for decarbonizing port locations - provided they do not interfere with port handling or future port expansions. They are also one of the most economical options for generating green electricity.

Successful projects in the Netherlands and Sweden show that implementation is possible in other EU countries. However, in Germany, strict noise quotas, distance regulations and complex approval procedures often prevent the realization of such projects.

What needs to change to make wind turbines possible in German industrial and port areas?

Adaptation of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG)

  • Revise noise protection regulations to allow wind turbines in port areas.
  • Define more flexible noise quotas for industrial and port areas.

Revise distance regulations

  • Specifically regulate minimum distances to residential buildings in port areas, as high basic noise levels already prevail there.
  • Create the possibility of exemptions for wind power at industrial sites.

Establish clear approval procedures

  • Better coordination between port operators, environmental authorities and residents.
  • Introduce faster approval processes to shorten planning times.

In addition to wind turbines, other renewable energy technologies such as solar plants and small-scale solutions also offer great potential - especially in combination with wind power. The study shows that these technologies can make an important contribution to a sustainable energy supply. However, their large-scale expansion is often slowed down by regulatory and economic hurdles. What needs to change so that suitable areas can be better utilized?

Reduce regulatory barriers

  • Simplify approval processes: Faster and more efficient approval processes for renewable energy projects in ports.
  • Resolve conflicting objectives: Early coordination and innovative concepts between nature conservation interests, companies and other stakeholders to leverage synergies and avoid conflicting goals (e.g. ecological solar park)

Create financial incentives

  • Enable energy sharing by law: German legislation should implement EU requirements on the shared use of renewable energy to enable energy cooperation models and facilitate fair distribution and use of locally generated electricity among port residents. This point is a central building block for the success of the energy transition without having to accept significant economic losses.
  • Reduce electricity tax and grid fees for port operators: If ports generate renewable energy for themselves and their residents, there should be no additional tax hurdles.
  • Set investment incentives: Private investors must be motivated to participate in the energy transition in ports through transparent regulations and economic incentives.
  • Simplify funding programs and make them long-term: Less bureaucracy and clear funding conditions to make it easier for companies to implement climate-friendly measures and create planning security through stable funding rates and long-term programs so as not to jeopardize investments.

The energy transition in port areas brings further challenges. The increasing demand for electricity due to the electrification of port equipment and the provision of shore power for ships requires targeted grid expansion and intelligent load management in order to avoid bottlenecks. The supply infrastructure is another key element of the energy transition.

A sustainable port energy concept must consist of many coordinated solutions - from the local generation of renewable energy to storage technologies and efficient distribution grids. Energy storage systems in particular play a key role in buffering electricity from renewable sources and providing it flexibly.

Public acceptance is also crucial for the large-scale expansion of renewable energy generation. Close cooperation between port operators, local authorities and energy suppliers can serve as the basis for holistic, future-oriented port energy planning.

The study was prepared as part of the EU INTERREG project REDII Ports. The figures refer to the base year 2022.

The study was prepared by NettCon Energy GmbH from Leer.