Belfast Harbour is set to become a real-world testing ground for zero-emission transport and energy systems, backed by a £15 million investment from the UK Research and Innovation's Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
The project, led by Artemis Technologies, will establish a connected network integrating electric vessels, high-power marine charging, autonomous transport, and energy systems. This network will be underpinned by secure digital twin technology.
By testing these technologies within an active port environment, the initiative aims to demonstrate their integrated functionality and reduce obstacles to their wider commercial use. The goal is to optimize both transport and energy consumption.
Artemis Technologies CEO Dr. Iain Percy explained that the digital network will allow for such optimization. "When the wind is blowing too hard, the network tells our boat 'take the power'," Percy stated. "Equally when the wind doesn't blow, it says 'don't use that energy', and what does that mean? It means we don't have to shut down windfarms and ultimately lower energy prices."
This initiative is the second project to receive funding from the £30 million allocated to the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor. Northern Ireland Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald highlighted the project's potential to match energy supply with demand within the harbour, a significant energy consumer.
"We are really world leading in terms of this, so it is a really good investment," Archibald added.
It is anticipated that the knowledge gained from this project could be applied to other areas across Northern Ireland. Dr. Percy noted that the network's capabilities can be replicated elsewhere, stating, "Where the real accelerator value add comes in here, what can be done on that network can be rinse and repeat anywhere else."
He also indicated that there is already significant interest from Foyle Port and other regions within Northern Ireland.