The proposed Microgrid Laboratory will contribute to the improvement of maritime activities focused on following two aspects:
Research goals: All-electric ships and next-generation ports with shore-side power supply systems have been recognized as the main trend of future maritime and its related industries. Since these activities are in their early stages, a lot of work need to be done in terms of proof of concept, standardization, and demonstration. Meanwhile, the potential impacts of emerging technologies on system performance need to be evaluated and exploited. Additionally, there exist several challenges in planning and operation of facilities aboard/in-port which needs to be addressed suitably. These challenges mainly include but not limited to: engineering challenges in terms of standardized equipment and procedures and their integration into the conventional systems, economic analysis of challenges with regards to different capital investment and operational cost factors (such as energy costs, labor costs, routine maintenance costs, ship retrofits, etc.), and operating challenges in terms of device-level and system-level monitoring, control, protection, and management.
Socio-economic goals: By integrating microgrid technologies into maritime systems and port areas, it is expected not only to reduce environmental footprint and to increase health benefits sourcing from pollution and noise reduction, but also to increase the competitiveness of related industries in the growing markets. Moreover, advance R&D activities in maritime area will help to expand and improve the electric power infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services in maritime systems and port areas especially in the Nordic region and enhance international cooperation to support clean act policies through investment in energy-efficient infrastructures and clean energy technologies.
