Free-Piston Engine Generator for Cold-Ironing in UK Ports

Ships idling at berth in UK ports will plug into a cleaner, compact generator instead of burning diesel in their onboard engines. Many ports lack the space or grid capacity to install conventional shore-power infrastructure, leaving vessels to run auxiliary engines while docked. This generates local air pollution, noise, and carbon emissions that affect port communities and contribute to climate change. The Free-Piston Engine Generator (FPEG) solves this by being small enough to mount on a barge or the quayside, and flexible enough to run on multiple fuels—including hydrogen, ammonia, or biofuels—without needing major grid upgrades. If successful, the FPEG could make cold-ironing feasible at ports that currently cannot support it. That means cleaner air in coastal towns, quieter nights for residents near docks, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector. The technology also reduces maintenance and weight compared to conventional generators, making it easier to deploy and operate. This is applied engineering with a clear near-term goal: retrofit UK ports with a practical, fuel-flexible power source that cuts emissions without requiring expensive new grid connections.