Terminals in countries with poor electrical grid networks may need to self-generate energy to best implement electrification for a more sustainable future within the industry.
This according APM Terminals (APMT) executives Ashely Woods, Global Head of Environmental Impact, and Alexandru Duca, Director and Head of the Modernisation Program, presenting at PTI’s GreenTech event.
When asked if terminals should source electricity externally or produce it by their own means, Woods said, “It’s a balance between or a combination, we are utilising photovoltaic systems (PV) in particular in locations around the world. There is always a tradeoff between doing that yourself versus the capacity in grid and the availability of green electricity as well.”
“We have identified areas where we might have to rely more on our own generator capacity in the future,” specifically citing regions in West Africa as there is little access to renewable energy supplies. Therefore, in these areas, APMT’s focus is more on self-generation through methods such as solar panels or shore power.
Discussing how to implement these methods of electricity production into the terminals, Duca added, “It will always be a collaboration between the port operators and the local infrastructure and local authorities. I think where the efficiency of how we use the capacity is where our focus will go.”
He added, “The first ticket items are how we have more efficient equipment and how we have more efficient operations, but it is also about the auxiliary costs. For example, what are the energy consumption of a building that does not contribute directly to cargo flows or to the operations? What is the energy usage when operations are not happening?
“All of these elements point to the terminal as an ecosystem. Each component of this ecosystem will need to have its own efficiency. It is about the availability of energy first and reliability of the grid- but it is also about green energy and how we can establish green initiatives within those environments.”
One other way AMP Terminals is looking to reduce carbon emissions is with its new partnership with Siemens Limited, India. Announced in September 2021, the partnership could see a potential carbon emission reduction of 30-40% at Gateway Terminals India.
