Corporate Day @ Fluxys by Flux50

   By our Energy & Utilities Analysts Arthur and Luca 

Since Trilations is heavily invested in the Belgian energy market, always wants to stay up to date with the newest emerging trends and has ongoing projects with both Fluxys and the Port of Antwerp Bruges we could not miss the Corporate Day @Fluxys organized by Flux50 at the port of Zeebrugge.

It was a day focused on Fluxys’ ambitions and innovations to transport, store and facilitate the use of carbon-neutral energy carriers (including hydrogen) and CO2. Because of the port of Zeebrugge’s current and future role as an energy hub the day’s program began with a tour of the facilities there.

In the afternoon several companies and research groups pitched their innovations and future plans. Energy and sustainability were the central themes throughout the day.

In the morning, we were taken on an extensive tour of the harbor in which we got a detailed overview of the companies and the current and future projects to turn the port into a real sustainable energy hub.

Electrical infrastructure

Electrification is ongoing by further investing in shore power, cable networks in the seabed and production sites at sea.  The port is already involved in projects like the TritonLink, NEMO link and the Princess Elisabeth Island.  

In the future, the port could play an important role in the Ventilus project. Zeebrugge is one of the possible landing sites for the electricity from the new wind farms in the North Sea. They also have the goal of connecting all vessels arriving in the port with shore power. That way diesel engines do not have to be left running in the port, CO2 emissions can be reduced and there is no unnecessary damage to the environment.

Energy generation

Speaking of shore power, the port is already largely self-sufficient in its energy production. They are investing in ever larger wind turbines (200-meter tip height) and ensuring that old turbines are retrofitted.

The territory of the port also provides an opportunity for companies to set up partnerships. For example, ICO (International Car Operators) and Engie invested together in the largest wind farm in Flanders. It could provide up to 110 gigawatt every year!

In addition to wind energy, solar energy is also a significant focus for the port. All relatively new buildings have roofs filled with solar panels.

Mobility

Not only energy generation, but also transport and other logistic activities within the port are considered within Zeebrugge’s energy transition.

A unique aspect of this port is that every terminal can be reached by train. Today, about 13% of the logistic activities are carried out over train tracks. In recent years, major investments have been made to repairing and expanding the track network. These investments should lead to an increase in train transportation up to 30%.

Throughout the afternoon’s pitches, discussions, and presentations several key points were presented by both government and corporate stakeholders.

Key take aways

1. Investments will be made in digitization of control and measuring processes of the energy sectors’ assets, lowering costs and improving efficiency.

2. The port is looking to set up more turbines and solar installations and standardise their installation procedures to ensure the smooth and swift expansion of domestic energy production in green and integrated formats, both at sea and on land.

3. The increasing diversification of the energy production will destabilize the current energy network. Therefore, all stakeholders aim to help match and balance the future electricity grid. Intermittent energy production will need to be balanced by demand management systems, flexibility provision by prosumers and storage facilities.

4. Depending on the context, the storage systems mentioned above can consist of either batteries or green molecules such as hydrogen or NH4.

5. To support this infrastructural transformation and digitization the port is investing in better training of their workforce by setting up programs in tandem with Syntra and VDAB. This will make the Belgian energy workers the future experts this country needs.

Improving the information flows, increasing green energy production while keeping the grid balanced and ensuring the expertise of the workforce are all major blocks in maintaining both the port’s and the country’s position as one of the major energy trading hubs in Europe.