UK Power Networks (UKPN) is exploring how floating batteries on board electric vessels could support London’s electricity grid.

The Electric Thames project, led by UKPN, aims to reduce the river’s carbon emissions. Partners include LCP Delta, Marine Zero, ev.energy and the Port of London Authority. 

The aim is to address critical challenges around electricity demand, infrastructure deployment and grid impact for vessel operators using the waterway. 

One area the project is exploring is vessel-to-grid or boat-to-grid technology. Electric vessels can store surplus renewable energy during periods of low demand and feed it back into the grid during peak times, helping to balance supply and demand.

The electric vessels will act as floating batteries, feeding surplus power back into the electricity grid when moored. 

The project analysed tracking data for 62 of the 180 commercial vessels operating regularly on the River Thames, which used 38GWh of energy a year. UKPN says this is equivalent to 10 million litres of diesel, resulting in 27,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions. 

This analysis will help inform UKPN’s long-term network planning and the upgrades to the grid that would be required.

The project also analysed 21 riverside sites that could potentially host charging infrastructure to support commerce, transport and tourism. 

Luca Grella, head of innovation at UKPN, said: “The River Thames has always been a vital lifeline for the capital, and now, as we look to decarbonise our world, we have a chance to transform the maritime sector.

“The work being done to integrate electric vessels with technologies like vessel-to-grid is a major step forward, offering new ways to balance the grid and deliver cleaner, more efficient energy.”

Andy Hurley, operations director at Marine Zero, said: “Vessel and site operators have been incredibly engaged and very keen to support this important project. We have been able to undertake wide-scale energy and power analysis.

“That, in turn, has allowed us to build informed models and financial projections that reflect real-world conditions and constraints. This data-driven approach has optimised our decision-making process and strengthened stakeholder confidence in our implementation strategy.”

Electric Thames is funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK.