The Port of Long Beach, California, has confirmed a $16.8m project to build infrastructure for a direct current fast-charging system for the seaport and to support electric-powered, zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment.
The Port Advanced Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) Project will design and build charging outlets for almost 40 pieces of electrical terminal equipment at Total Terminals International’s (TTI’s) container terminal at Pier T, the Port’s largest.
Four battery-electric yard tractors will be modified to connect to a DC fast-charging system. If the system is proven viable, it could eliminate the need for on-board equipment chargers and potentially increase battery capacity of electric vehicles.
The port will also develop a portwide Dynamic Energy Forecasting Tool to predict how much energy and supporting infrastructure seaports will need to support zero-emissions terminal equipment.
$8m of the $16.8m has been awarded to the port by the California Energy Commission.
Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum commented: “When finished, this project will be a cost-effective, replicable model that the Port of Long Beach and others can use to speed progress to zero emissions. It’s part of a wide array of approaches we are using to reduce air pollution for our community and deliver on our promise as the Green Port.”
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero added: “For more than a decade, we’ve shown that economic strength and a cleaner environment can exist together. We’ve done that by innovating with projects like these and leading the way forward for the industry.”
The demonstration is expected to begin early in 2021 and the project is scheduled to be completed by March 2022.
