PECS
Ports Energy and Carbon Savings
Priority Axis
Low Carbon TechnologiesSpecific objective
Low Carbon Technologies
Lead partner
Haven Oostende NVContact
Start Date
01/09/2017End Date
20/06/2021Project budget
8 077 438 €ERDF amount
3 981 011 €ERDF rate
49%About
Common challenge
One of the major challenges of the 2 Seas area is to achieve carbon reductions through the introduction of low carbon technologies (incl. renewables and energy efficiency). This project addressed this challenge; in particular the application of such technologies in maritime operations within small and medium sized (SMS-)ports. These ports were facing numerous common obstacles (for example, limited resources, technical expertise, lack of collaboration, regulations) and as a result, little has been done to reduce carbon emissions. Demonstrations of low carbon technologies and solutions in real life and different circumstances are required to raise awareness and to show feasibility.
In addition, to convince other SMS-ports, it was also necessary to develop and showcase practical methods and tools as energy audits, potentials for renewables and the best mix of low carbon options. Finally, SMS-ports needed practical models for low carbon investment & business cases and to come to energy cooperation structures. To achieve the main project objectives, outputs, and results, and to make them usable for all (SMS-)ports in the 2 Seas area, it was necessary to work cross border and to have a partnership which included a variety of ports and experienced knowledge institutions.
Overall objective
Main outputs
Cross border approach
Main Achievements
In almost 4 years, the cross-border cooperation project PECS has achieved all 15 foreseen outputs involving a high number of stakeholders and target groups (on local, regional, national and on EU-level), and informed of communication activities through different channels (newsletters, website, social media, and events). A highlight of the project is the development and validation of methods and tools to increase the adoption of low carbon technologies in ports. Five easy-to-use tools/methods have been developed that ports can use to evaluate their emissions, their possibilities to save energy and to make use of renewables. With a decision support tool, ports can easily make choices about the best carbon saving options, and which fit within their budget.
Finally, a blueprint to set up an Energy cooperation has been developed and implemented by ODIJmond. Ports can use this blueprint to set up an energy cooperation within their port with interested companies. In regard to the small-scale physical investments, the project has demonstrated new low carbon technologies for ports throughout 8 pilots. Finally, partners have carried out feasibility studies, tests, and monitoring programs to demonstrate the effects and the results of the new low carbon technologies. In 5 cases, the results in regard to the reduction of carbon emissions were achieved as expected. The cross-border cooperation was very good. Knowledge partners have worked together on the development of methods and port partners contributed by testing the methods and tools. The other way around, knowledge partners have advised pilot partners with their investments (monitoring). Collaboration was also good with regard to management and communication.
Testimonial
An outstanding achievement is that partners succeeded to realise successful pilots that contribute to carbon reduction ad to create awareness in the involved Ports. The project was an accelerator for new carbon reduction and sustainability initiatives among stakeholders inside and outside the project.