In the days of coal-fired, iron-clad engines, ships would reach port, tie up, and immediately stop feeding the coal ovens. The iron engines would cool down gradually, eventually becoming cold; this process became known as "cold ironing". The scope of the term has since broadened to encompass the provision of electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off and not burning fuel. Generators to drive heating, cooling, lighting and so forth are provided by an alternative, cleaner source on the shore side.
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