The Port of Amsterdam has collaborated with Skoon Energy to launch a floating battery service to bring mobile stored power into the port and inner city.
In a statement, the Port said the battery can deliver electricity to any part of the port close to the water as it moves on a barge. As well as that, it is powered by local, renewable energy and will help balance the electricity grid.
Current grid connections do not provide sufficient capacity to meet the vessels’ power demand. Consequently, some of them run diesel generators to generate power while at port.
This leads to noise pollution and additional harmful emissions in the centre of Amsterdam. The floating battery, the Port says, is silent and supplies green energy.
The battery will be charged from renewable energy sources, such as Windpark Ruigoord, solar panels from rooftops in the port area and energy from biomass by waste-to-energy company AEB.
Skoon operates a platform that enables mobile battery sharing to optimize the economics for battery owners and users. The concept of battery sharing facilitates all services for energy user in temporary need of electricity.
Koen Overtoom, CEO, Port of Amsterdam, said: “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.
“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.”
Peter Paul van Voorst tot Voorst, founder of Skoon, described the use cases for mobile batteries as “endless”.
“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.
“Additional benefits of the floating battery include transport by an electrically powered barge to the customer. This reduces noise pollution, emissions and traffic on the already busy streets.
“Also, the barge will not take up any parking space. This makes it a faster, smarter and cleaner solution.”
