The inaugural meeting of the BlueBARGE project was held in Athens, Greece, marking the commencement of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing the maritime port sector. “Blue bunkering of anchored ships with renewable generated electricity“, Spearheaded by ABS Hellenic Single Member LTD and supported by Fundación Valenciaport, the project boasts a budget exceeding 11 million euros, co-financed by CINEA’s Horizon Europe programme.
The BlueBARGE project will solve power supply problems for ships in areas with difficult access to the electricity grid.
The primary objective of the BlueBARGE project is to design and develop an energy barge capable of supplying electricity to moored and anchored ships, thereby facilitating blue bunkering of renewable-generated electricity. This ambitious endeavor aligns with the broader goals of electrification and decarbonization within the European and international maritime industries.
The innovative design of the BlueBARGE will prioritize modularity, scalability, adaptability, and flexibility, ensuring seamless integration with existing port infrastructure. By adopting a forward-thinking approach, the project aims to streamline commercialization by the year 2030 while significantly reducing polluting emissions.
Notably, the BlueBARGE will leverage a hybrid energy storage system, combining the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries with the safety and longevity of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology. This novel approach promises enhanced operational efficiency and reliability.
One of the key advantages of the BlueBARGE is its rapid deployment capability, mitigating the need for extensive and costly infrastructure upgrades. By offering a versatile solution for both anchored and moored vessels, including container ships, tankers, and cruise ships, the project aims to address the challenges of limited onshore power supply infrastructure.
Fundación Valenciaport, leveraging its expertise in port operations and alternative fuel utilization, will lead efforts to evaluate and optimize the performance of the barge design. The foundation’s role includes defining key performance indicators, assessing technical feasibility, and analyzing financial, economic, social, and environmental impacts.
The BlueBARGE consortium comprises 14 European entities, including academic institutions, engineering firms, and shipping companies, all committed to advancing sustainable maritime solutions. Through collaborative research and development efforts, the consortium aims to accelerate the transition towards greener port operations and mitigate the environmental impact of maritime activities.
With its comprehensive approach and diverse expertise, the BlueBARGE project represents a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable and energy-efficient maritime industry, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future.
BlueBARGE Consortium
In addition to ABS and Fundación Valenciaport, 12 other European entities participate in the BlueBARGE consortium: Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige Universitet; Hydrus Advanced Consolidated Engineering Services S.A; Aalborg Universitet; Elkon Elektrik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş; Regbes B.V.; Multimarine Services Ltd; Corvus Norway AS; Magellan Circle – European Affairs Consultancy, Lda.; Danaos Shipping Co. LTD; Enerox GmbH y Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd.
Source Port of Valencia