Belfast Harbour has been selected as a testing ground for zero-emission transport and energy infrastructure following a £15m grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The project will be led by Artemis Technologies and will integrate electric vessels, high-power marine charging systems, autonomous transport, and energy management through secure digital twin technology.
The initiative aims to demonstrate how these technologies function as a unified system within an operational port environment, with the goal of identifying and reducing obstacles to widespread commercial adoption. By operating in a real-world setting, the project will provide insights into the practical integration of multiple zero-emission technologies and their effectiveness.
Artemis Technologies CEO Dr Iain Percy outlined how the digital network would optimize both transport and energy systems. The technology would enable predictive coordination of services, such as scheduling buses to arrive at optimal times, and would manage energy distribution in response to renewable generation patterns. According to Percy, this could reduce the need to shut down wind farms during periods of excess generation, potentially contributing to lower energy costs.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald characterized the project as world-leading innovation and emphasized its significance as a major investment. The initiative represents the second project announced from a £30m allocation designated for the Belfast-Derry Innovation Corridor.
The project’s organizers anticipate that successful outcomes could be replicated in other regions. Dr Percy indicated that Foyle Port and other areas within Northern Ireland have already expressed interest in adopting the approaches developed through the Belfast Harbour testing program.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI