Ports concentrate logistics, industrial and urban activity with an ever-growing energy demand. The electrification of berthed vessels, the rising electricity consumption of machinery, and regulatory pressure to reduce emissions are transforming how ports consume and manage energy.
Unlike other environments, a port is a complex ecosystem where multiple stakeholders coexist, each with very different energy needs. . Managing this demand efficiently, in a coordinated and transparent way, has become one of the sector’s greatest challenges.
Energy Communities as a Starting Point
Ports have the capacity to generate and consume renewable energy locally, but this potential is not always fully exploited. The lack of clear models for energy sharing, suitable digital tools, and understandable rules makes it difficult to move towards more efficient schemes.
Energy communities enable different stakeholders to jointly produce, share and manage renewable energy, capturing economic value and reducing emissions.
However, transferring this model to the port environment is not straightforward. It requires adaptation to complex operations, critical infrastructure and a demanding regulatory framework. Without a specific design, the model loses effectiveness.
COENERP: An Energy Community Model Designed for Ports
COENERP was created to address this challenge. It is a project led by Bettergy to design and validate the model of Port Renewable Energy Communities (CERP) in Spain.
The project proposes a digital system that integrates renewable generation, storage, demand flexibility and energy exchange among port stakeholders.
Its goal is to reduce emissions, decarbonise operations and integrate distributed energy resources, all while complying with new regulatory frameworks and promoting collaborative models among port ecosystem actors.
COENERP tackles this challenge through an energy community model tailored to the port context, based on artificial intelligence, dynamic pricing and efficient energy allocation.
A Platform Designed for the Port Ecosystem
Thanks to collaboration with the Port Authority of Málaga, COENERP materialises as a digital platform adapted to the port ecosystem, enabling:
- Peer-to-Peer Energy Exchange: Port stakeholders can share renewable energy surpluses directly and traceably.
- Dynamic Energy Allocation: Optimised distribution based on generation, demand and operational priorities.
- Clear and Automated Pricing: Transparent compensation models for all participants.
- Full Digitalisation: Integration with energy management systems, port IoT and OPS solutions.
Impact: Efficiency, Savings and Decarbonisation
The development of COENERP represents a decisive step towards port decarbonisation and the promotion of new energy models through:
- Reduction of CO₂ and GHG emissions, boosting renewable energy use and minimising grid losses.
- Greater economic savings for participants thanks to smart surplus exchange and optimised resource use.
- Transparency and ease of adoption, creating an accessible model for both companies and port authorities.
- Promotion of Port Energy Communities, driving the transition towards smarter, more sustainable ports.
Validation at the Port of Málaga
The proof of concept was carried out in collaboration with the Port Authority of Málaga, validating the technical and economic feasibility of the model, identifying regulatory barriers and defining energy and business KPIs.
The project has reached TRL 3, laying the foundations for scaling and replicability in other ports.
This project has received public funding from the “Puertos 4.0” Fund of Puertos del Estado under the IDEA call for proposals 2023.
Call: Puertos 4.0 – Ideas Modality (2023)
Duration: 01/07/2025 – 01/01/2026
File No.: IDEA I-4.81
Beneficiary: Bettergy S.L.
Collaborators: Port Authority of Málaga (APM)
Approved Grant: €15,000.00
