Evaluation of an Alternative Source of Power for Ship Operations in Ports

Abstract

This research undertakes the provision of an alternate source of power of vessel that berths in Nigeria ports. Renewable energy such as solar power will be used to power these vessels. Port Harcourt port was used as a case study for this research. A total of 2.5mW was observed as the constant power needed to power vessels that berth in Port Harcourt port. A total of 10800 panels is connected in 1080 parallel and 10 series while 6578 Batteries are connected in 274 parallel and 24 series will be used to generate 2.5mW needed to power vessels that berth in Port Harcourt port. The cost of running this solar generator for 25 years which is estimated as the life span of the solar panel is shown in this research. The Solar batteries is replaced after 10 years as the assumption of the solar power plant (SPP) maintenance cost. This research will help reduce pollution and generate an alternative revenue source for Nigeria Port Authority. ETAP and MATLAB software will be used to carryout necessary analysis in this research.

Keywords: Renewable Energy, Nigeria Port Authority, Revenue Generation, Pollution, Solar Power Source