Low-pressure energy storage containers for Nauru port terminals

Why is energy storage a critical port function?

Ensuring availability of these electrical resources to meet loads which are intermittent and uncertain is becoming a critical port function. It requires investment in multi-vector energy supply chains, energy storage in ports and their associated energy management systems.

How can ports reduce energy costs?

ESSOP has explored two ways in which ports can minimize their energy costs by using energy storage: • Optimising how to use PV solar generation to offset grid electricity. The wholesale price of energy varies every half-hour, and on a time-of-day tariff this variation is passed onto users.

How can ports reduce the dependence on grid-supplied electricity?

To minimize the dependence on grid-supplied electricity, ports are also investing in renewable generation notably PV solar on warehouse roofing and parking areas. Energy storage is also needed to optimize utilization of in-port generation and avoid curtailment when generation exceeds the available demand.

How do offshore battery energy storage systems manage supply and demand?

Any mismatch between supply and demand is managed by offshore battery energy storage systems (BESSs), which accumulate excess renewable energy for use during periods of low wind or solar availability (Extended Data Fig. 2) 38. Other economic and technical assumptions are listed in Supplementary Tables 1 – 3.