The Port of Long Beach has started the construction of its $12.2 million microgrid demonstration project, aimed at providing energy resilience to its security center facility – the Joint Command and Control Center (JCCC).
The microgrid also will serve the Jacobsen Pilot Services, which guide cargo vessels at the port. The project will be partially funded by a $5 million grant from the California Energy Commission.
The project is scheduled for commissioning in November.
It will include a 300-kW solar photovoltatic panel array. JCCC staff will be able to leverage the electricity from the microgrid system for uninterrupted work even during a power outage.
The project is projected to save more than $60,000 annually on electricity costs and deliver an annual output of approximately 520 MWh. The microgrid will also reduce, but not yet eliminate, the use of diesel generators at the JCCC for emergency power.
“Generating power with a new microgrid will enhance reliability for the Port’s critical security operations during an outage on the utility grid,” Steven Neal, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, said. “This project also gives us a glimpse into the future and moves us closer toward using greener energy sources.”
Subscribe to our free, tri-weekly Newsletter for more Insights into the C&I Energy Transition
Performance data will be analyzed during the first year of operation and compiled in a report. Lessons from this project will be integrated into future marine terminal projects.
The Port of Long Beach also is working toward widespread deployment of electric charging infrastructure for heavy duty trucks. Two such stations have been installed at the terminal access center with 100 chargers planned at four more sites, according to reports.
