E-Harbours aims to create a lasting change towards sustainable energy logistics for NSR harbour cities. It will set innovative energy standards to create a transformation of the energy network in harbour areas. Show cases will provide examples for the NSR, guided by a European expert platform. By this the project will implement EU energy policies, develop innovative solutions and allow economic growth.

Innovation in different fields and an integrated approach are strongly needed. Smart energy networks and electric mobility are both vital aspects and strongly related to each other. The partnership consists of key organizations to create a change: public authorities, municipal harbour/energy companies and national knowledge centres from the NSR.

Aim
The aim of E-Harbours is a transformation of the energy network in NSR harbour cities towards a more sustainable and accessible energy model. This will be achieved by setting/implementing new standards with a focus on two key aspects: virtual power plants for industrial end-users and electric mobility.

The network plans to:

• Enlarge the uptake of renewable energy;
• Enlarge energy efficiency strongly;
• Integrate the electric mobility;
• Maintain the stability of the energy network.

The partners aim to set new, high level standards for future energy management in NSR harbours and feed into ambitions of the EU/National policies. E-Harbours will create a transnational knowledge platform and methodology for optimal integration of renewables in highly energy intensive harbour cities using as much as possible all available features as electric cars, electric boats, flexible consumption patterns of industrial end-users and ICT-infrastructures.

Background
Harbours are the connection nodes between river, sea and land, rich in resources and densely populated, especially in the North Sea Region. Around these harbours the NSR economy has developed itself over the last centuries. Good infrastructure and intelligent logistics have always been a key element.

These harbours now are facing global competition, logistic difficulties and big challenge to face environmental problems: a high level of CO2 production, high level of energy use, low level of energy efficiency, low level of renewable energy production and reduction of economic growth due to negative environmental impacts. The challenge is to innovate the logistic system and improve the environment at the same time. The combination of smart grids and electric transport is very promising for this.

The challenge of the harbours is exemplary for Europe: creating a low carbon society and be leading as innovative knowledge economy. The EU has set an ambitious 20-20-20 agenda: energy consumption < 20%, CO2 emissions < 20% and renewable energy > 20% in 2020 (Renewable Energy Directive).

• Implement 7 innovative show cases in the participating harbour areas;
• Create a Virtual Power Plant (VPP): transnational methodology for optimal integration of renewable energy sources in a highly energy intensive harbour cities;
• Create a framework (technical, economical, organizational) for large scale implementation of E-Harbours in the NSR.