18 FOGHORN Heavy duty trucks, port equipment, and the mining in- dustry are examples of large consumers requiring charge capacity equal to mega charging systems (MCS). CharIN, a global, non profit industry association focused on stan- dardizing electric vehicle charging has developed com- mon standards for charging in megawatt scale. CharIN has created a Marine Task Force to extend proven MCS concepts into maritime use cases while coordinating with class societies and existing IEC/ISO marine standards. The MCS standard has been implemented in several ma- rine projects recently. Both AC and DC are reasonable alternatives for vessel charging. However, when looking beyond the technology itself, the commercial aspect will play a decisive role as well. The majority of ports and cities worldwide have committed to reducing or eliminating emissions caused by their local activities. The revenue will shift from bunkering fossil fuel to e-bunkering. But there is a chicken-and-egg situation in the transition as well. Ships cannot be required to operate emission-free unless ports and cities can provide alternative sources of energy at a reasonable cost. SHORESIDE PARTICIPATION IN CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURES The potential of standardized DC charging at megawatt scale offers broader benefits. Shoreside heavy-duty con- sumers such as rubber tire gantry cranes (RTG), trucks, buses, and other machineries can share the same MCS charging infrastructure as harbor and city crafts. Another potential benefit is to locate grid stabilizing energy storage systems inside the ports themselves. Utility companies in the U.S. alone are investing tens of billions in ESS for grid stabilization and optimization of renewable energy sourc- es. If some of these investments are allocated at ports, mul- tiple benefits can be achieved. The ESS can be available for grid support upstream on a general basis, combined with providing high power downstream to its own consumers without peak demands when vessels charge. A potential third benefit is to utilize the ESS as an emergency power source for dedicated consumers within the vicinity. As a technologist and a true believer in electrification, I see mainly advantages and opportunities with the new technologies. It’s a matter of collaboration and our ability to think ahead when planning future transportation. But we must remember that electrification of marine trans- portation connects shore-side energy policy with ship op- erations. Power availability has proven to be the weak link in the maritime electrification process worldwide. Ports, harbors, and cities can turn the table by becoming more active in grid stabilizing and renewable energy genera- tion, with reserved capacities to serve its own customers and fleet as needed. TECHNICALLY, IT’S FEASIBLE… Zinus is a company that makes shore power and shore charging solutions for marine applications. Our focus is Ports, harbors, and cities can turn the table by becoming more active in grid stabilizing and renewable energy generation, with reserved capacities to serve its own customers and fleet as needed. FOGHORN FOCUS Ships cannot be required to operate emission-free unless ports and cities can provide alternative sources of energy at a reasonable cost.
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