Zero Emission Inland Waterways
Research Objectives
Europe's inland waterway network presents unique opportunities for sustainable freight transport
Quantifying Vessel Energy Demand
To collect and model operational data from commercial vessels on the Thames, Danube, and Rhine in order to accurately estimate current and projected energy demand under different decarbonisation scenarios.
Evaluate Vessel Duty Cycles
To analyse how vessel type, size, propulsion system, operational patterns, and seasonal variability (and much more) influence energy requirements and infrastructure compatibility.
Identify Viable Energy Delivery Strategies
To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of different energy supply models, including fixed infrastructure, dynamic charging, and hybrid systems, in meeting real-time demand along the inland waterways.
Support Policy and Infrastructure Plans
To generate data-driven recommendations for policymakers, port authorities, and industry stakeholders that inform investment, regulation, and long-term planning for zero-emission inland waterway transport.
Project Context
Inland waterways are a vital component of Europe's transport network, carrying about 965 millions tonnes of freight transport across the EU. However, the sector remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
This research project aims to address this challenge by developing data-driven models to understand energy demand patterns and evaluate the feasibility of various decarbonisation technologies including battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cells, and hybrid systems, and how they can be resupplied across the European Inland Waterways.
The project focuses on both fixed and dynamic energy infrastructure solutions to support the transition to zero-emission waterway transport.
Europe's inland waterway network presents unique opportunities for sustainable freight transport
About the Project
Pioneering data-driven research to decarbonise Europe's vital inland waterways through collaborative energy demand analysis and renewable transition strategies, connected to fixed and dynamic energy delivery infrastructure
Research Methodology
Using high quality data inputs, like those form an AIS tool like Marine Traffic, to model real-world vessel operations and energy demands across different inland waterways
Track Vessel Movement with Marine Traffic
Data Collection
Real-world vessel operational data.
Energy consumption patterns
Infrastructure availability surveys
Modelling
Scenario analysis for different propulsion technologies
Infrastructure optimisation algorithms
Energy demand forecasting models
Techno-economic feasibility studies
Lifecycle assessments of alternatives
Policy and regulatory framework analysis
Analysis
Project Timeline
A basic timeline of the project with realistic milestones of each part of the project, accounting for academic rigour and practical constraints in data collection and model validation
