Investigation of business models for the provision of vessel battery charging facilities at ports

The PhD project will first analyse existing technologies in battery-electric vessels and use this data to develop a business case for such vessels to act as tool for GHG emission reductions in the future. From this research, models will then be produced that can be used to guide recommendations to stakeholders in the industry.This work is important due the fact that, while there are instances of one-off battery-electric vessels with bespoke charging stations, there are yet to be developments of generic vessel charging in ports and harbours in the manner that such facilities are available for electric cars for example. There are many challenges in establishing a business case for the development of such facilities including regulatory and safety aspects as well as the potential for vehicle, or in this case vessel, to grid options. In addition, the incentives and pathway (including the identification of which stakeholders) for unlocking and mobilising investment need to be identified.