Abatement of air pollution at an aegean island port utilizing shore side electricity and renewable energy

- Cold ironing could provide electricity for ships at berth in Mytilene's port.
- The energy needs of the ships are covered by 4×1.5 MW wind turbines and 5 MW PV.
- The excess energy could feed in the grid reducing the air pollution in the area.
- This hybrid system results in the simultaneous reduction of all the pollutants.

The air pollutant emissions of the ships at port represent a small percentage of the overall emissions from shipping however they are concentrated in a small area. In Mytilene, Lesvos, the port is located within the city limits, resulting in air pollution, congestion and noise, especially during the tourist season. The aim of this study is to estimate the quantities of particulate matter and CO2 emitted by ships in the port of Mytilene and to explore the potential of shore side electricity to reduce the emissions. The emissions were estimated using the bottom-up methodology, based on the activity of the ships in the port (berthing, maneuvering). Simulation of renewable energy sources was made using Homer Energy microgrid simulation software. The results showed that between the 10th and 20th of August 2012, there were 40 calls of passenger ships, tankers and bulk carriers in the port of Mytilene, emitting 441 kg of PM10 and 282 metric tonnes of CO2. About 63% of PM10 and 77% of CO2 were emitted at the berthing phase and the remaining during the maneuvering. These emissions could be reduced by providing electricity to the ships from a hybrid renewable energy system with wind turbines and photovoltaics, connected to the grid. Simulations showed that the total energy requirements of the ships in the port of Mytilene could be covered by four 1.5 MW wind turbines combined with a 5 MW photovoltaics. With this configuration, renewable energy will exceed the ships' electricity needs for most of the time in order not to increase the power station's load. The excess energy could be fed to the islands' grid, so a costly battery storage system is not necessary to handle the variations of alternative energy. In this way, a considerable reduction of the CO2 and PM10 emissions by the ships in the port occurs, providing a viable solution for a cleaner and healthier environment.