PESO – Port Energy Systems Optimisation – is a project about smart energy technologies which are being piloted at Portsmouth International Port to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and facilitate the electrification of the port operations.

Last august an innovative battery was delivered to Portsmouth International Port as part of PESO decarbonisation project.  

Image of Yuasa Battery delivery to Portsmouth International Port © PIP

A 20-foot container sized battery that can charge four electric cars simultaneously has been safely delivered to Portsmouth International Port as part of the Port Energy Systems Optimisation (PESO) project.

The PESO project is being led by Marine South East supported by Portsmouth International Port alongside Swanbarton and Energy Systems Catapult. The scheme will demonstrate how a port can operate as a smart energy network.

The port already has significant energy generating capabilities from solar panels across the site, so the ability to integrate local electricity generation with novel energy storage and smart energy management to be able to use it later at times of higher demand means that clean energy can be used much more efficiently. It can also be used by the wider electricity grid to help smooth demand at peak times, or provide power for electric vehicle charging. PESO is co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency under the Key Technology Components for Local Energy Systems.

The new GS Yuasa dual chemical energy storage system comes in the form of a weatherproof shelter that will be able to supply 100kW of power. In real world terms, this means four mid-range electric cars could be charged at the same time using energy stored in the battery.

The battery uses lithium-ion technology as well as standard lead acid Yuasa ENL battery technology. These batteries are manufactured at GS Yuasa’s Ebbw Vale factory in Wales where final assembly and integration of the entire system takes place. The system’s lithium batteries come from Japan.

The funding to develop and build the prototype system is coming from Innovate-UK's 'Prospering from the Energy Revolution' fund. The system is due to come into operation in early 2021.

Dr Jonathan Williams, CEO of Marine South East, `The decarbonising of our ports and shipping sector presents enormous challenges requiring innovative energy systems. MSE is delighted to be leading the PESO consortium to explore the role of port batteries in this energy transition.`