This pilot aims to increase the use of renewable wind energy being generated in Northern Ireland by better matching times when there is low demand and high wind generation. It is part of the work of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, which was established to launch the world's most advanced high-speed zero-emission passenger ferry and develop the technical and operational requirements for a maritime transport system of the future.
The project is led by Artemis Technologies and brings together 14 partners from across industry, academia, and local government, including Power NI. It has received funding from UK Research and Innovation's Strength in Places Fund.
Passengers aboard the electric foiling ferry operated by Condor Ferries can expect a travel time of approximately 25 minutes along Belfast Lough. This initiative aims to reduce congestion, noise and air pollution along the A2 route connecting both cities, aligning with Energia Group's dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The pilot scheme will also showcase to the world what is possible with the right maritime infrastructure in place.
The Artemis EF-24 Passenger prioritizes environmental preservation in its design. Equipped with the innovative Artemis eFoiler® system, it effortlessly flies above the waves, emitting zero emissions during operation. It also offers a more comfortable ride for passengers, and creating minimal wake to protect our shorelines.
Developing a green charging solution in collaboration with Energia Group means the ferry can use 100 per cent renewable electricity – another step forward on the global mission to decarbonise the maritime industry and aligned to Energia Group's commitments to SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
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The name Project Green Iron originates from the concept of 'cold ironing,' which involves supplying shoreside electrical power to ships while they are docked in a port with their engines switched off. This practice significantly decreases emissions from diesel ships while they are in ports.
Project Green Iron takes vessel cold ironing to the next level. It will provide Energia Group and Artemis Technologies with an innovative smart grid solution to vessel charging using 100% renewable electricity.
Renewable electricity generation is increasing and there are times when the energy generated exceeds demand. This can lead to situations where the grid has more electricity than it needs. This potentially causes instability issues if not managed properly.
Energia Group’s Corporate Development Manager, Gavin Hickey, said: "The wind farms are often forced to curtail - or turn down - how much energy they can generate because there isn’t enough demand from customers.
"This means Northern Ireland is unable to take full advantage of the available renewable electricity. Last year in Northern Ireland this lost opportunity came to over 130,000 MWh, which is enough electricity to power approximately 40,000 homes for a whole year.
"Project Green Iron seeks to take full advantage of Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity by creating flexibility in vessel charging patterns to shift recharging to align with times when there otherwise would be excess renewable energy and system curtailment. If we can increase demand at times when there is excess renewable energy, this will help in balancing the grid, contribute to grid stability, and reduces the need for fossil fuel-based backup power generation.
"We hope this demonstration scheme will prove the concept so that we can develop this further in other parts of the power system to ensure we’re making the most of the renewable electricity available to the system to decarbonise demand."
In order to implement this new solution for the ferry pilot scheme, smart meters will be installed and sensor devices will be connected between Energia Group's Long Mountain Wind Farm in County Antrim and the Artemis Technologies charging depot in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. The cloud will connect both sites, facilitating instant, synchronised communication and management of electricity production and consumption.
Upon receiving a market signal to decrease generation, Long Mountain can activate the charger at Artemis Technologies instead, allowing the wind turbines to continue operating. This approach guarantees a 100 per cent renewable electricity supply for the EF-24 Passenger, lowers the carbon footprint of the local power grid, and optimises the utilisation of renewable energy resources.
Professor Katrina Thompson, Programme Director for the Belfast Maritime Consortium, said: "We are delighted to be working with Power NI on this project which will enable us to use 100% renewable energy to power our EF-24 Passenger ferry. It’s so important to make the best use of the valuable energy created by the wind farms in Northern Ireland and for it not to be wasted.
"Through Belfast Maritime Consortium, close relationships have developed between a wide range of organisations who share a desire to decarbonise the maritime sector. Project Green Iron has evolved directly from this.
"Once this new scheme has been tried and tested, we hope to expand this technology out to areas of the world keen to operate zero emission vessels where there are difficulties connecting to the electricity grid. That is a very exciting prospect."
