C04 -- Setting Sail for the Ports of the Future PDF

Ports require a lot of energy, which comes mostly from fossil fuels, hence are a major contributor to the global Greenhouse Gas emissions. Therefore, port authorities have already started designing and implementing smart energy management systems, green energy generating technologies, and Energy Storage Systems to incorporate sustainability and increase the efficiency and reliability of their operations. This study presents a typology for examining and evaluating the possibility of converting a Mediterranean port in Crete to a nearly zero-energy port (nZEP).

The energy demand time series were also processed and utilized to project the port’s energy demand in 2030, using several Artificial Neural Network and Machine Learning Models. The most optimal, among the forecasts was picked for the hybrid system’s design in 2030. The hybrid systems for both the 2020 and the 2030 cases were compared and evaluated, leading to interesting outcomes. The findings showed that reducing GHG emissions in port infrastructures and other infrastructures is both practical and practicable, as long as the social element is met. Indicatively, in most cases, the payback period is shorter than ten years, while the Return on Investment is greater than 10%, and the energy deriving from fossil fuels may be decreased to less than 10%. Furthermore, the environmental impact was diminished by more than 92 percent. The suggested typology appears to be effective and efficient in driving sustainability in ports, resulting in fruitful, viable, and "green" solutions for both the ports and their surroundings providing social, economic, and environmental growth.