Cost/benefit analysis of alternative systems for feeding electric energy to ships in port from ashore (original) (raw)

2016, 2016 AEIT International Annual Conference (AEIT)

The development of maritime transportation has increased the territorial role and the socio-economic relevance of harbors. But, at the same time, it has worsened the environmental impact of the maritime operations on ports and surrounding - often highly inhabited - areas, particularly in the Mediterranean. Since ships at berth need a certain amount of electric energy for hull and hotel services, they must keep their auxiliary engines switched on, inevitably generating exhaust emissions and noise. As a consequence, ports become an important and growing source of pollution and can create relevant risks for the health of the communities living nearby. From the economic point of view, it has been assessed that the costs involved in the shore-side power program can vary widely among ports. In this paper a complete cost benefit analysis will be carried out by keeping into account all costs related to the systems capable of supplying electric energy to ships using systems external to it. I...