Green technologies on River Thames structures

Working together we can help achieve the Thames Vision goal to encourage uptake of new and green technologies to reduce the port’s environmental impact. For owners / operators of suitable structures there are a number of good reasons for incorporating green technologies, including:

• Reduced local impact – connecting vessels to shore power instead of using on-board auxiliary diesel engines can reduce noise and vibration, reduce air emissions and reduce fuel costs.
• Operational savings – reduced cost of energy from renewables.
• Reduced maintenance - installing energy efficient technologies which have a longer design life (eg LED lights) can reduce maintenance and replacement intervals.
• Security of energy supply - owning renewable energy generating infrastructure will enhance energy security.
• Carbon Footprint - potential for operator’s to reduce their corporate carbon footprint by utilising renewable energy.
• Air quality – demonstration of commitment to reducing local air quality emissions by connecting to shore power during longer stays alongside a structure.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - demonstration of CSR credentials by developing renewable energy sources and utilising energy reduction technology.

Suitable technologies for consideration include:

Renewable Energy

• River source - using the heat mass of the river water via exchange mechanisms for heating or cooling.
• Tidal energy - using tidal flows to generate energy.
• Solar panels – using energy from the sun via photo-voltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity or solar thermal panels to heat water.
• Wind turbines – using turbines to generate electricity by wind power.

Shore power – allowing vessels to connect to the electrical grid when alongside to avoid running their engines / generators.

"Green" technologies – such as energy efficient technology, for example using LED lights.

Resource efficiency – for example, collection of rainwater for non-potable water use (known as rainwater harvesting), use of recycled and sustainable materials and provision of recycling facilities.

The presumption will be that all River Works Licence applications for variations or new structures will include green technologies unless it can be proved that these are not feasible. The application documents should therefore include a feasibility study which should also consider the potential impacts of the proposals, including, but not limited to:

• Navigational impacts - The PLA would expect any application to consider the effect of any structures within the river on the safety of navigation. Any such structure should not be in the navigable area, not obstruct safe navigation or manoeuvring and not significantly decrease the depth of the water for passing vessels. The impact on navigation systems equipment may also need to be considered.
• River Regime - Any installation will need to consider the impact it may have on scour and accretion both by operation and construction. Designs must also consider the risk of the fine silt in the Thames, entering and blocking structures, and ongoing maintenance which might be associated with this.
• Environmental - The PLA would expect any application to consider all and any impact that the development might create in the local area both during construction and operation. This is of particular importance where the site is in or near a site with a statutory environmental designation or may affect migratory species.
• Supply/Demand model – demonstrate the power demand on the structure and the percentage of this demand that the proposed technology could supply.

Other consents may be required for the works including:

• Consent from the District Network Operator (DNO) if you wish to connect renewable energy to the National Grid.
• The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) also licence structures in the Thames below Mean High Water.
• The Environment Agency (EA) issue environmental permits (formerly Flood Defence consent) for developments or construction within a specified distance from the flood defences or through them; please consult your local officers or Land Drainage Byelaws for clarificati

The PLA are successfully utilising green and low energy technologies and shore power on the river, through:

• Shore power at all PLA piers and at our operational support facility at Denton Wharf.
• Solar panels on marker buoys since the 1990s.
• Solar and wind turbine power at lighthouses since the 1990s.
• Low energy LED navigation lights since the 1990s (see Case Study below).
• Solar panels on our two Upper District patrol launches Richmond and Chelsea to supplement power to the onboard electrical systems. Solar PV panels on the roof at our operational support facility at Denton Wharf to generate renewable electricity.
• Solar thermal (water heating) panels on the roof of our main office in Gravesend to supplement hot water supplies.
• Harvesting of rainwater off the roofs to flush toilets at Denton Wharf.
• Low energy lighting with motion and light level sensors at most of our office sites to ensure lights are only used when needed.