Assessing the technical and environmental impacts of energy management systems in smart ports

Abstract

This thesis assesses the technical and environmental impacts of Energy Management Systems (EMS) in Smart Ports, with a focus on Shanghai Yangshan Phase IV Port. The thesis begins with a baseline evaluation of EMS implementation and its effects on energy consumption, carbon emissions, and operational costs in Smart Ports. In addition, the thesis examines case studies from four main ports (Hamburg Port, Genoa Port, Jurong Port, and Shanghai Phase IV), assessing their performance based on renewable energy usage, emission reduction rates, and other pertinent factors. Subsequently, technical optimization models were developed to simulate improvements in load dispatch, energy storage, and transport scheduling. An integrated optimization approach then combined these elements to quantify compounded benefits. Results indicate that EMS deployment reduces annual energy consumption and carbon emissions significantly—by approximately 7–8% and 11–12% respectively—while achieving substantial cost savings. The study also identifies critical challenges, including system integration, data quality issues, cybersecurity risks, and the need for standardization.