What is Vessel-to-grid, and can it become a new form of electricity storage?
Introduction
Heating, transportation, concrete production, fertilizers, clothing, toys—everything we produce and consume depends on (fossil) energy. However those sources are running out. According to Our World in Data, the world reserves (in 2020) for the three major fossil fuel types (Oil, Coal and natural gas) was respectively 56 years, 139 years and 49 years left. (2) And its consumption is still increasing. One of the sectors where there is large fossil fuel energy demand is the marine sector. Cargo ships, ferries, fishing vessels, patrol boats… These vessels are powered by diesel engines. And the number of vessels are growing. According to UNCTAD (3), there are more than 105,000 ships globally with at least one hundred gross tonnage, consisting of oil tankers, bulk carriers, ferries, and cargo ships. Most ships transport goods like livestock, toys, clothing and heating fuel (LNG). This made the world commodities accessible to its consumers. However, it also has driven emissions with it. Our World in Data estimated that Global emissions from transportation accounted around one-fifth of the world’s total emissions where shipping alone is responsible for almost 11 percent of total transport emissions (4).