By
Alex Smith |
The Port of Amsterdam and renewable energy solutions provider Skoon Energy have launched a floating battery service to provide mobile stored power to river cruise vessels at the port and inner city of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The battery has been placed on a barge, allowing it to deliver electricity to any location close to the water. The facilitates services for energy users who are in temporary need of electricity.
Among the battery’s uses will be the supply of power to river cruise vessels. The number of river cruise calls to the city peaks in April and May, with current grid connections unable to provide enough capacity to meet the increased demand. This requires vessels to run diesel generates while moored, creating noise pollution and harmful emissions in the centre of Amsterdam. The battery will address these issues by providing a silent supply of energy, generated by renewable energy sources.
“We have started this project with Skoon, as it is in line with our ambition of creating partnerships that will help us become a zero-emission port,” said Koen Overtoom, CEO of the Port of Amsterdam. “Together with Skoon and Zoev City, the floating battery will also be deployed in the city centre of Amsterdam, when it is not needed to deliver power to river cruise vessels at berth.”
The floating battery will be on the barge for six months, supplying river cruise vessels for two weeks per month. During the other two weeks, it will be used for other projects in the city, including construction projects and film sets. The Port of Amsterdam will host a demonstration container near its headquarters to inform people about Project Clean Amsterdam and its role in the electrification of the industry and larger Amsterdam area, based on renewable sources.
“The use cases for mobile batteries are endless,” said Peter Paul van Voorst tot Voorst, founder of Skoon Energy. “Think about construction or maintenance activities on quays or bridges in the canals of Amsterdam, for example. Batteries provide a clean alternative to diesel generators. This reduces noise pollution, emissions and traffic on the already busy streets, while not taking up any parking space. This makes it a faster, smarter and cleaner solution.”