Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels (VBEV)

Advancing vessel-to-grid technology for clean maritime solutions
Mayflower Marina in Plymouth. Getty images.
Title: Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels (VBEV) Demonstration
Funded by: Innovate UK
Competition name: Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Round 4
Project period: April 2024 – May 2025
University of Plymouth staff: Dr Lee Durndell (PI), Dr Tamer Kamel , Mr Olamide Olagunju , Ms Sarah Fear
 
The Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels (VBEV) Demonstration accelerates the transition to clean maritime solutions. Based on the insights from the CMDC2 feasibility study, VBEV aims to showcase the world's first vessel-to-grid (V2G) demonstration. This innovative project will leverage electric vessels' batteries to provide energy storage and flexibility services to harbours, ports, and the electrical grid – unlocking new avenues for reducing carbon emissions at both a site and system level.
This project is pivotal in pushing forward the electrification of maritime transport while creating critical infrastructure to enable efficient energy management. VBEV will pave the way for a more sustainable future in the maritime sector by utilising batteries on vessels when they are not being used for propulsion.

What is vessel-to-grid (V2G) technology?

Vessel-to-grid (V2G) technology allows electric vessels to export energy from their batteries back to the grid or to a designated site, contributing to energy flexibility and grid balancing.
This bi-directional flow of energy enables vessels to act as a vital energy resource when they are docked and not in active use, ensuring optimal energy management for stakeholders like ports, harbour operators, vessel owners, and grid network providers.
A diagram showing the Virtual Bunkering for Electric Vessels demonstration

Key project elements

  • Software upgrades and communication protocols: VBEV will implement advanced software upgrades, communication protocols, and charge controllers into electric vessels, enabling seamless communication between the vessel's battery and bi-directional charger. This setup will allow batteries to be charged and discharged at optimal times, ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
  • V2G management platform: The development of a sophisticated V2G management platform will enable efficient energy deployment for various scenarios. This platform will optimise the flow of energy and allow stakeholders to manage their power needs effectively.
  • Energy deployment scenarios:
    • V2G: Energy will be exported from vessels to the grid network to offer balancing services, enhancing flexibility and supporting the stability of the grid.
    • Behind-the-meter solution: This approach will enable improved energy management for specific sites, integrating renewable energy sources and facilitating energy arbitrage. It will allow sites to adapt to growing energy demands, reduce grid reliance, and optimise renewable energy use.

Research and development

The VBEV project will build upon the feasibility study's findings, where the most suitable vessel archetypes for vessel-to-grid were identified. Further research will collect duty cycle data from various vessel types to assess performance and refine the technology. The project will also study the potential impact of V2G on battery health in marine environments and evaluate any regulatory impacts associated with implementing these systems on a large scale.

Business model and scalability

The project will develop a robust business model to provide a product offering to stakeholders such as ports, vessel owners, and operators. With the rapid growth of electric vessels, this technology holds enormous potential for large-scale adoption. By improving battery health, reducing operational costs, and enabling new revenue streams, VBEV offers significant long-term benefits for all involved.
Plymouth harbour marina

Trailblazing clean maritime innovation

At Plymouth, we are among the UK's leading proponents of clean maritime research, with a track record in consistently securing government funding through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
Through engagement with business and the wider scientific community, we are co-creating ways of transforming this research into practical solutions to challenges faced by the marine and maritime sectors.
Clean Maritime

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy