As a reminder, the “enerPort II – Optimized Energy Use in the Port Microgrid @ DGT” project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Funding code 03EN3046) and led by Fraunhofer UMSICHT and duisport, is implementing a transformation concept for the sustainable and intelligent energy supply of the Duisburg Gateway Terminal (DGT). At the heart of the project is a microgrid that comprises various energy conversion and storage systems for the provision of electricity and heat – from photovoltaics and hydrogen-powered combined heat and power plants (CHP) to fuel cells. The project consortium is also investigating the theoretical supply of heat and electricity to surrounding neighborhoods.

A lot has happened since the Duisburg Gateway Terminal opened in September 2024: In March 2025, the last remaining components of the energy system – the two hydrogen combined heat and power plants – reached the former coal island in the Port of Duisburg with the help of four heavy-duty transporters. Their total electrical output: 1,880 kW. This was followed by the installation of hydrogen pipelines, cabling and final installations. The last construction measures around the facilities were completed in April and guarantee both safe access and safe operation in the future. The first hydrogen was delivered at the beginning of May to test the pipelines.

Now the tests for commissioning the CHP and fuel cells are beginning: “The operation of the energy system will be adapted to the requirements of the crane systems, the shore power supply for ships, the charging stations for cars, the buildings at the terminal, the lighting and other small consumers,” explains Prof. Anna Grevé from Fraunhofer UMSICHT. “We can pursue various objectives here, such as minimizing CO₂ emissions or costs.” The possible operating strategies are adapted to the respective target using mathematical optimizations. The corresponding roadmap is determined using intelligent algorithms, taking into account the boundary conditions and costs.

How other port projects can benefit from these research results will play a major role even before the end of the project (December 2025): At the beginning of May, Fraunhofer UMSICHT hosted a workshop on “Renewable Energies and New Energy Systems in Ports” with participants from the e4ports network. “The exchange of experiences with representatives of similar projects focused on topics such as legal frameworks, approval processes and operating models,” said UMSICHT scientist Dr. Björn Hunstock. “Obstacles and solutions for improving the complex processes for the energy transition in ports were also discussed.” Following the workshop, a publication is planned in cooperation with NOW GmbH. Target group: politicians, researchers and ports undergoing transformation.