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Ports are the backbone of global trade, keeping the world connected. With the introduction of global decarbonization goals, the growing prices of fossil fuels, and recent developments in the energy world, ports are finding themselves with the need to electrify their operations. Legislative factors such as the Fit for 55 in the EU are key drivers of the energy transition, but economic factors such as mechanically-simpler designs and lower fuel costs of electric systems make electrification the logical next step for port terminal operators. Concerns associated with the transition, namely significant increases in peak power loads (and thus grid congestion), can be solved by peak shaving with QuinteQ’s flywheel, which is designed with ports in mind.

Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V., a multipurpose terminal and member of the C. Steinweg Group specialized in logistics and commodity handling, and QuinteQ Energy B.V., a pioneer in high-performance flywheel energy storage systems, have successfully concluded a groundbreaking pilot project demonstrating the potential of flywheel energy storage to alleviate grid congestion and enhance energy efficiency in demanding port operations.

Flywheels aren’t the only energy storage solution. From lithium-ion to flow batteries to the “new kid on the block” sodium-ion, other technologies play key roles in building a more sustainable, reliable, and efficient grid, sometimes competing with—and often complementing—flywheels. This article will outline those technologies, explain their use cases, and see how they can work alongside flywheels to solve today's grid.