Californian ports launch EV charging microgrids

Ports and cities are eyeing these microgrids as a way to sidestep interconnection delays and meet their decarbonisation targets.

Indeed, a recent report from Xendee and Endeavor Business Model has revealed the scale of frustration with grid limitations with nearly 80% of respondents listing microgrids fuelled by distributed energy resources as the top way to overcome these challenges.

“This facility strengthens our ability to offer customers a decarbonised alternative to conventional trucking and brings us closer to our goal of reaching net zero by 2040,” said Charles van der Steene, regional president for Maersk North America.

Prologis installed the charging infrastructure at the Denker depot which is California’s largest, capable of charging up to 96 EV trucks simultaneously. Rather than waiting up to two years for the required grid upgrades, Prologis worked with Mainspring Energy to build a microgrid onsite that can either be grid-connected or operate independently of the local grid.

The Prologis Denker microgrid uses 2.75 MW of fuel-flexible, hydrogen-ready linear generators paired with 18 MWh of batteries to provide up to 9 MW of charging capacity.

“The future of heavy-duty trucking is pollution-free, and companies in California are leading the way,” said California Natural Resources secretary Wade Crowfoot.

“This charging depot will reduce pollution and speed the adoption of electric trucks, helping to build energy independence for our transportation sector.

“This project is a big step forward and a win-win for our environment and economy.”

The charging depot is the third southern California commercial truck EV charging project opened together by Prologis Mobility and Performance Team.