PORT OF BORG: The green, sustainable harbor

The Port of Borg works towards a vision and ambition of becoming CO2 neutral, which means letting out zero emissions, within 2030.

To achieve its vision, the Port of Borg (Borg Havn) has entered into collaboration with Smart Innovation Norway to accelerate the development towards a green and sustainable harbor. More innovative and green projects have been initiated and started, and the EU Horizon 2020 project E-LAND is one example.

Marianne Riddervold Kahrs (Photo: Smart Innovation Norway)

Other such projects are “Energipakke Borg Havn”, ship-shore electricity, and more renewable power production.

Renewable energy for buildings

Last year, the Port of Borg applied for ENOVA funding together with Smart Innovation Norway and Smart Energi for the project “Energipakke Borg Havn”, and the collaboration project received 3,5 million NOKs.

The Port of Borg owns more than 60.000 square meters of buildings which are rented out and the port wants to ensure a green profile for these buildings. One way to do so, is delivering «greener» products to the tenants. AS Batteriretur is one of the companies located in the harbor and will be the first customer to test the concept, which entails producing green energy by using solar and geothermal heating,

Borg Harbor in Norway (Photo: Smart Innovation Norway)

storing the electricity in battery storage based on recycled high-performance batteries, and delivering the energy to buildings in the area.

“The goal of the ENOVA funded project is to show that one can produce green energy locally, use the energy efficiently and also reduce peak loads at the facility by using battery storage. The project is expected to produce 150 000 kWh green energy per year and reduce effect needs to a maximum effect of 20 kW,” says Marianne R. Kahrs, Senior Advisor at Smart Innovation Norway and Project Manager of the “Energipakke Borg Havn” project.

“Energipakke Borg Havn” is a pilot project and is only implemented and tested at the property rented out to AS Batteriretur, but the goal is to copy the concept to more areas in the harbor in the future.

Solar panels on the roof (Photo: Smart Innovation Norway)

Ship-shore electricity for environmental shipping

Ship-shore electricity in harbors is a prioritized political action point with the intention to reduce emissions caused by shipping. This especially goes for local environments where concentrated emissions from large ships provide poor air quality.

“As such, ship-shore electricity is a part of the electrification of the entire harbor and an important part of the future harbor solution,” explains Port Director, Tore Lundestad.

There lies great environmental gain in providing ship-shore electricity to the ships docking at the Port of Borg. The potential is estimated to be approximately 3,4 million kilowatt per year, based on the energy consumption of the ships visiting the port.

In June 2019, the Port of Borg received 9,7 million NOKs to start building the necessary facilities for ship-shore electricity and to use electricity as replacement for fossil fuel on several vessel calls. The Port of Borg collaborates closely with the cable manufacturing company Nexans to synchronize measures made in harbors and on ships – to ensure rapid environmental effect.

“Nexans is a forward-looking company which facilitates for both new and old vessels to receive electricity from the harbor. We expect great utility value in both the short and the long run for shipping companies which visit the harbor,” notes Lundestad.

The facility is set to be tested and completed for use in September 2020.

E-LAND – another sustainable project

To get one step closer to its vision, the Port of Borg participates in the EU Horizon 2020 project, E-LAND, as a pilot. The project partners explore the controlling and optimization of different energy vectors. Thus, E-LAND connects existing infrastructure together and aims to create a holistic energy solution in the harbor.

To conclude, Marianne R. Kahrs emphasizes that collaboration with partners who wish to be in the forefront within sustainable development is crucial to succeed.

“The ongoing projects in the Port of Borg are perfect in a smart city perspective, both in our region and in Norway in general. Several of these projects make great examples for others to follow.”