EQUIPMENT
GETTING ENERGY SAVVY WITH MICROGRIDS An American port is working on a novel microgrid project to help fuel some of the port's power needs and cut energy costs in the process, writes Anne-Marie Causer
RENEWABLE ENERGY San Diego's Microgrid project, originally initiated in 2016, is contributing to the redevelopment of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) to make it modern, clean, and efficient into the future. The Microgrid Project was conceptualised as a strategy to advance renewable energy at San Diego's terminals as part of implementing the port's Climate Action Plan (CAP) and mitigation measures required by the TAMT Environmental Impact Report. Thanks in large part to the support of the California Energy Commission grant funding program, the port was able to advance the project beginning in 2018, with US$4.9 million in grant funding, augmented by a port match of US$4.4 million, and approximately $200,000 in in-kind services from University of California, San Diego. “The microgrid is one step toward revitalising the port's electrical infrastructure at TAMT, which is a critical step toward modernising the infrastructure necessary to support future technology advancements and terminal electrification,” Ms Yarmy says. In addition, with the Port of San Diego being one of the only 17 commercial US Strategic Ports designated to support cargo and vessel operations for the US military's Transportation Command and Military Sealift Command, microgrids will increase the terminal's readiness and provide islanding capabilities. This will allow critical port infrastructure to remain operational through grid outages, supply critical jet fuel to the San Diego International Airport and provide emergency goods and services to nearby disadvantaged communities in the event of natural or human-caused disasters that all impact an electric grid. “This investment will allow us to provide technological
Photo: Port of San Diego
In response to California's electrification push, the state's largest ports, including San Diego, Los Angeles and Long Beach, are all turning to microgrids for energy security and flexibility of demand. Swapping diesel-powered trucks for electric models and equipping ships to plug into the grid while at berth offers lifesaving public health benefits by lowering emissions. And because microgrids offer a means of isolating from the main grid, they also substantially increase electricity supply at ports. The solar powered microgrid project at the Port of San Diego's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) is expected to cut the terminal's energy costs significantly, while demonstrating integration of all distributed energy resources — including solar, storage, energy efficiency, and demand response, with support for additional electric equipment needs on the terminal into the future. “This is a cornerstone project which will provide renewable, reliable and resilient power to meet both operational and sustainability goals of the port,” Renee Yarmy, Program Manager for Energy and Sustainability at the Port of San Diego, told GreenPort. “By adding a microgrid to our terminal we will be able to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
advancement and breakthroughs to achieve the state's statutory energy goals. With the installation of the microgrid, we will be able to participate in peak shaving through the use of renewable energy and stored energy, further saving the port money through reduced energy costs,” Ms Yarmy continues. “Finally, as an environmental champion and mover of goods throughout the world, we plan to develop a model and share lessons learned to encourage commercialisation of microgrid systems at seaport and goods movement facilities globally.” Ms Yarmy points out that the project should result in a saving of 360 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. The project components include the installation of energy efficient site lighting which include converting high-mast high pressure sodium lights to LED technologies integrating a 700kilowatt/2,400 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system and installing a 700-kilowatt rooftop solar PV array, all of which contribute to the port's Climate Action Plan goals. San Diego has recently been seeking bids from companies to build the infrastructure for the grid. The winning contractor will need to coordinate with a solar contractor that will be installing a photovoltaic array on a warehouse at the terminal being interconnected with the storage project, the closing date for bids was mid-June 2020.
8 San Diego’s Microgrid project is contributing to the green redevelopment of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT)
EMBRACING ELECTRIC Ms Yarmy says that the port's tenants and operators were early adopters of zero emission vehicles and equipment, such as electric forklifts, yard tractors and on-road drayage trucks and the port is continuously supporting and encouraging the use and advancement of these technologies along its 'Working Waterfront'.
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