Seaport Energy Management System Considering Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract The increasing energy demand in seaport operations, driven by electrification and decarbonisation targets, requires enhanced tools for operational planning and flexibility management. This paper proposes a novel centralised Energy Management System designed for seaports, which, unlike previous approaches that mainly focused on cost minimisation jointly optimises Battery Energy Storage System scheduling, energy and reserve market participation, and carbon-intensity reduction. A key contribution of this work is the integration of CO $$_2$$ emission forecasts and day-ahead market data into a multi-objective formulation, allowing the Energy Management System not only to minimise operational costs but also to reduce indirect emissions. Additionally, a Traffic Light system is proposed to support operators’ decision-making by providing actionable flexibility guidelines. A case study based on real-world data from the Port of Sines shows that this method achieves at least an 17% reduction on an annual basis compared to baseline operations, while ensuring cost efficiency. Results highlight the Energy Management System’s potential as a decision-support tool for port authorities seeking to align operational efficiency with sustainability goals.