1. Electric Thames project is a collaboration between UK Power Networks, LCP Delta, and Marine Zero to assess the feasibility of using electric vessels to feed stored electricity back into London’s power grid.
2. Battery-powered vessels on the Thames would store green energy when it is cheap and feed it back to the grid during peak electricity hours, similar to night storage heaters.
3. The project is in the initial discovery phase, funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, and aims to shape a new planning framework for the UK’s rivers and canals to accelerate energy transition and decarbonisation efforts.
The Electric Thames project is a collaboration between UK Power Networks, LCP Delta, and Marine Zero that aims to assess the feasibility of using electric vessels to provide stored electricity to London’s power grid. By utilizing battery-powered vessels to store green energy during off-peak hours and feed it back during peak electricity demand, the project aims to increase energy flexibility and reduce emissions along the River Thames.
Funded by the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, the project is currently in its discovery phase, gathering information from Thames vessel and quay operators to identify their needs and plan for a transition to cleaner and more sustainable operations. This initiative will not only help reduce emissions on the river but also create new income streams and solutions for operators.
As the project progresses, stakeholders such as quay owners and vessel operators will be consulted to understand the opportunities for investment in electrification and sustainable practices. The outcomes of Electric Thames are expected to shape a new planning framework for the UK’s rivers and waterways, offering insights that could be replicated across the country to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonization efforts.
Overall, the Electric Thames project represents a pioneering initiative in the UK energy sector, aiming to create a cleaner and more sustainable energy system while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the shift towards net zero emissions.