Hafenstrom was provided an opportunity to present the latest results from Harbour Energy Flexibility Monitoring service at the 7th Consortium meeting for GIFT. This time the partners in the GIFT project was gathered at the offices of SYLFEN in Le Cheylas in France. For several partners, this was the first time they had a chance to meet up physically after the pandemic.
During the two days of the consortium meeting, Hafenstrom described in more detail about both scenarios being developed for ferry routes, charging patterns and how affect flexibility in ports and can be described as a function of layover (docking) time of electric vessels. The proof of the postulate can be found in the correlation between scheduled layover time of electric ferries and measured load on the electric grid. Lessons learned from these measurements also describes why allthough electric ferries can not offer excess energy, they can provide effect flexibility during docking, The the longer layover time is introduced, the more effect flexibility can be provided. Following this logic, it stands to reason that the total effect flexibility can be increased through coordinating charging with known timeschedules.
Hafenstrom also discussed results related to congestion management and grid balancing. By collecting consumption profiles, be used to provide build a load profile that used when making decisions of when and where to charge based on location, energy price and available (planned) grid capacity. Integrating such knowledge with digital twins will provide a valuable resource for harbours to visualise and plan for upcoming traffic and load on the local powergrid. Just as important is the opportunity for observing and preparing of effect flexibility for a fleet of electric vessels. Throughout the year, several stakeholders have expressed a particular interest in this part of the system.
Throughout the course of the stay in France, Hafenstrom discussed deployment and exploitation activities, integration of chargers supporting OCPP (Open Charging Point Protocol) and extending the number of supported chargers, flex offers and improved integration with a European effext market through INEAs VPS and a number of other issues. Some of the findings can also be directly related to The European Green Deal, where results can be implemented and further enchance ongoing efforts.
In conclusion, the consortium meeting was a necessary arena to meet up and exchange ideas, present results and coordinate further efforts. The project will be ongoing till june 2023, and more knowledge is expected to be gained from the months to come. Hafenstrom would like to to thank SYLFEN for hosting and organising the consortium meeting and to the different partners for providing insight into their specific fields of expertise.