The Collective Power Needed to Decarbonise Europe's Waterways
- Paul Simavari
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Updated: May 4
Why community-driven data is the missing link in understanding true energy demand
In the race to decarbonise Europe's inland waterways, we've become obsessed with technological solutions while overlooking our most powerful resource: the collective knowledge of the waterway community. Vessel operators, regulators, equipment manufacturers, and policy makers hold the key to understanding the complex, dynamic energy demands that vary not just by vessel type, but by individual trip circumstances.
"Without the active participation of the entire waterway ecosystem in sharing operational data, we're designing infrastructure for vessels that exist only in spreadsheets, not on our rivers."
The Waterway Community Ecosystem
Each stakeholder group brings unique insights to energy demand understanding:
Vessel Operators
Provide real-time operational data including speed variations, loading patterns, and route-specific challenges.
Port Authorities
Share docking energy profiles, turnaround times, and shore power availability.
Equipment Manufacturers
Contribute performance data under real operating conditions beyond test environments.
Regulators
Offer system-wide perspectives on traffic patterns and infrastructure constraints.
One Vessel, Infinite Variations
The same vessel can have dramatically different energy profiles trip-to-trip based on:
Cargo weight and distribution
Water current and weather conditions
Lock queue times
Port turnaround requirements
Traffic congestion
The chart above shows energy consumption data from the same container vessel on 12 different trips along the Rhine between Rotterdam and Basel. The variation in total energy use (kWh) and peak demand (kW) demonstrates why community-supplied operational data is so valuable, especially in establishing the real-world needs of energy replenishment infrastructure up and down the busiest inland waterways.
Europe's Diverse Waterway Fleets
The composition of vessel types varies significantly across Europe's major waterways, requiring tailored infrastructure solutions:
The Thames sees a higher proportion of passenger vessels and tugs compared to the Rhine's dominance of container ships and the Danube's mix of bulk carriers and push boats. These differences dramatically impact energy infrastructure needs.
Duty Cycles: The Hidden Complexity
Vessel duty cycles vary not just by type, but by specific operational role:
Push boats on the Danube show radically different energy profiles when working in convoy formation versus single barge operations. Only operators can provide this granular level of detail.
Case Study: The Rhine Data Collective
A 2022 initiative where 47 vessel operators shared anonymized operational data led to the discovery that 68% of vessels were experiencing energy demand peaks 22-45% higher than vessel manufacturer specifications and operational route planning data across the duty cycle. This kind of inaccurate data could be used directly to inform new charging infrastructure placement.
Building the Data Sharing Ecosystem
Successful community data initiatives require:
Standardised but flexible data formats
Clear benefits for participants
Robust data anonymisation protocols
Transparent governance structures
Feedback loops showing how data informs decisions
The technology for decarbonising inland waterways exists. The missing piece is the operational intelligence that only the waterway community can provide. By coming together to share knowledge, we can build infrastructure that works for real vessels in real conditions, not just theoretical models.
Paul Simavari - ZEIWW and Newcastle University Researcher
Marine engineer, researcher, and advocate for practical decarbonisation of Europe’s inland waterways. I write to share insights, challenges, and progress from my PhD journey — with the aim of turning data into real-world solutions that work for the people who rely on these waterways every day.
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