Port of London Authority looks to biofuels as part of zero-carbon strategy

In the UK, The Port of London Authority (PLA) has awarded a contract to Royal HaskoningDHV to model the future of energy demand and supply on the tidal Thames as we look to shape the zero-carbon port for the future.

Royal HaskoningDHV, working with University Maritime Advisory Services, will undertake the energy demand study for the PLA, building on the Emission Reduction Roadmap for Inland Vessels on the tidal Thames, released in 2020. The roadmap sets out options available for reducing air and carbon emissions, including biofuel and emissions abatement, battery-electric, and fuel cell-electric; it concluded a mix of energy provisions will be needed to suit the different operational needs on the tidal river.

The second phase will address the feasibility of delivering the identified solutions at specific representative sites, gauging the pros and cons of the best suited solutions, including cost, spatial and ancillary infrastructure needs, resulting in a likely scenario for different use cases. Short-, medium- and long-term options will emerge, including the mix of diesel, biodiesel and other transition fuels, including LNG.