An Energy Storage System to support Cruise Ships Cold Ironing in the Port of Civitavecchia

Increasingly, Cold Ironing (CI) for Cruise ships has become a highly diffused practice as it allows to cut vessels emissions and comply with the always more stringent regulations on ships air pollution. This research draws upon the Port of Civitavecchia, one of the world’s most visited from cruise ships, thus calling for the necessity of adopting the appropriate infrastructure. The harbour’s grid is only supplied by Medium and Low Voltage Substations and has a total capacity of nearly 9.3 MW and is not enough to satisfy large cruise ships hotelling power demand which can reach up to 11 MW or more. This study suggests as a solution to the above-mentioned issue, implementing an Energy Storage System (ESS) and increasing the use of local Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Moreover, the ESS besides providing the necessary power to cruise ships at berth, if properly sized, it can also improve the port’s grid reliability. Doing so, enhances a more efficient use and contribution of the local RES. This research first introduces the practice of Cold Ironing for cruise ships. It will focus on the systems infrastructure requirements and the reasons behind its increased popularity. It follows an analysis of the port of Civitavecchia MV power capacity and infrastructure. This study proposes the implementation of ESS and RES as a solution that allows a sustainable provision of electricity from shore to cruise ships at berth. Finally, an evaluation of the possibility of embedding ESS and new RES in the port's current electrical infrastructure is performed.