This project is to design and set up a land-based energy management system (LEMS) prototype that is capable of incorporating renewable and traditional energy resources. For peak shaving, an electrical energy storage based on technology such as lithium-ion batteries may be incorporated. The proposed prototype of 50/60 Hz three-phase variable voltage in the range of 400 V will be used for powering ships at berth. The prototype not only synchronizes both the shore and vessel grids automatically before closing the circuit breaker between them but also provides an application that is capable of metering and charging the kWh amount of shore-to-ship energy. An electric bill is automatically generated at the end of the grid connection. The system is scalable and capable of simultaneous energy transfer to two or more vessels when the system supply capacity is expanded in the future.

The hardware design includes an ac-dc-ac converter, a bi-directional ac-dc converter for the lithium-ion battery bank, a battery charger for charging batteries used in forklifts and cherry pickers and a variable voltage/frequency converter for powering the vessel. The software design includes the synchronization module for both the vessel and local grid connection, metering and billing modules and energy sale/purchase optimization module from the local grid when LEMS is equipped with its energy storage and generating sources. The proposed prototype helps to switch from the ship's heavy fuel oil (HFO) to cleaner land-based fuels (primarily gas) and hence cuts down unnecessary CO2 emissions. It opens up new business opportunities by providing electric energy to ships. Some benchmark emissions and power quality data with and without shore power will be collected. The proposed system may incorporate thermal energy management to supply heat, hot water or to cool the building and help to enhance the efficiency of the energy supply system.