SMART ENERGY DEMAND MANAGEMENT (SEDM) PRACTICES IN MARITIME PORTS: TRENDS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND SUSTAINABILITY OUTCOMES

This systematic literature review examines Smart Energy Demand Management practices in maritime ports, focusing on trends, technologies, and sustainability outcomes. Maritime ports are increasingly energy-intensive due to port electrification, shore-side electricity, cargo-handling equipment, refrigerated containers, terminal lighting, buildings, digital systems, and electric transport operations. The review adopted a systematic literature review methodology and synthesized scholarly studies on port energy management, smart grids, microgrids, renewable energy integration, battery energy storage, demand response, shore power, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, digital twins, and energy management systems. The findings revealed that SEDM is driven by decarbonization pressures, rising electricity demand, operational efficiency needs, and the transition toward smart and green ports. Key technologies supporting SEDM include shore-side electricity, port microgrids, battery storage, renewable energy systems, smart meters, artificial intelligence, digital monitoring, and demand response platforms. The review further found that SEDM contributes to sustainability outcomes such as emission reduction, improved energy efficiency, peak-load control, operational cost savings, renewable energy integration, grid flexibility, and energy resilience. However, implementation remains constrained by high capital costs, grid capacity limitations, interoperability challenges, data gaps, cybersecurity risks, regulatory uncertainty, and stakeholder coordination problems. The study concludes that SEDM should be viewed not only as a technical energy-management practice but also as a strategic sustainability framework for maritime ports. It recommends integrated planning, smart infrastructure investment, supportive policy, digital capacity-building, and stakeholder collaboration to promote cleaner, more efficient, and resilient port energy systems.