An American port has secured US$5.2 million in federal grants for electrical power upgrades
The Port of Oakland’s clean energy efforts are getting a million dollar boost from the federal government which should help it to achieve its vision of eliminating emissions from maritime operations.
“We’ve got an ambitious clean air goal,” said Danny Wan, executive director, Port of Oakland. “This grant from the Maritime Administration is an important moment in helping us take another step toward our goal of zero emissions from maritime operations.”
Green goals
The port said the funds could be used for three purposes: The construction of a fuel cell site and a solar panel installation with battery storage; replacement of an electrical substation; and connecting the substation to a biomass generator.
Oakland’s long-term objective is to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels in cargo handling operations.
The Port of Oakland applied for the funding last summer from the US Department of Transportation. At that time it said that additional funding is necessary to advance its clean energy aspirations. It indicated it would request funds from the state of California.
The grant was made through MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
Oakland has established itself as green forerunner in the States.
It has established a shore power system that plugs ships into the electrical grid at berth and there are more than 15 battery powered big rigs are in operation at the Oakland Seaport transporting cargo containers.
Thirteen massive cargo handling cranes have been converted to hybrid engines and the port continues to operate night gates to limit truck congestion and engine idling at marine terminals.
Through the Port of Oakland’s Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan, the Port and its partners have cut diesel emissions at the Oakland Seaport by 86%.
