Peak shaving at port crane in Rotterdam

With the commissioning of KINEXT, the flywheel technology-based energy storage system from Rotterdam-based S4 Energy, the Kone Gottwald harbor crane at United Waalhaven Terminals (UWT) in Rotterdam will be fully electrically powered starting today. The diesel generator that made the crane move in recent years has been turned off, both saving fuel and directly avoiding annual CO2 emissions of 500 tons. This solution makes it possible to electrify industry without having to wait for a heavier grid connection.

KINEXT allows the crane to be fully electrically driven. The braking energy released when a load is lowered is stored in the flywheel. As soon as a load needs to be lifted, the flywheel delivers the stored energy back to meet the crane's peak demand. The combination thus maintains constant and low power consumption from the grid. This eliminates the need to invest in a larger grid connection. Without the use of the flywheel, an increase in the grid connection at the UWT terminal would have been necessary.

Jan Overdevest, CEO of Waalhaven Group: 'With the implementation of the KINEXT flywheel, we are taking an important step in making our terminal more sustainable. Our goal is to achieve emission-free transport and electrifying this crane contributes directly to that.'

Commercial director of S4 Energy, Dominique Becker Hoff, added: "UWT has now fully electrified the port crane without adding to the grid connection. This means no additional load on the power grid. With a short payback period and clear sustainability benefits, choosing a KINEXT energy storage system is not only attractive for UWT itself. Indirectly, it also helps the grid operator STEDIN and surrounding companies in the Rotterdam port area by freeing up space on the already busy electricity grid.'

Photos of this project