Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency, Microgrids - October 12, 2018
Port of Long Beach to add microgrid
The Port of Long Beach in the city of Long Beach, California has signed a contract for a new microgrid that will enable critical energy resilience. Schneider Electric will create a microgrid technology demonstration that will include an integrated system of distributed energy resources (DER) and microgrid controls, enabling added resilience via long-term islanding at the port's critical response facility, the Joint Command and Control Center (JCCC), which functions as the port's hub for security.
A statement from Schneider Electric explained that "in addition to boosting critical facilities' energy resilience and sustainability through islanding and distributed energy resources (DER) integration, microgrids can also help lower energy costs through renewable energy production and enable smart load management." For the Port of Long Beach, which is the second-busiest port in the nation handling over $194 billion in cargo per year, installation of a microgrid will bolster energy resilience and ensure business continuity at all of its marine terminals while helping achieve its goal of becoming a zero-emission operation.
The project will also feature a 300 kW photovoltaic system for energy production, integration of a 250 kW microgrid-extending mobile battery energy, a 500 kW Diesel Generator and the installation of additional microgrid controls to allow demand response, peak shaving, and islanded operations for energy resilience. As part of the project, Energy Control Center will also leverage 330 kW and 670 kWh stationary battery energy storage.
"Ensuring a stable supply of energy is crucial to the zero-emissions future the Harbor Commission envisions for the Port of Long Beach," said Tracy Egoscue, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President. "We welcome this microgrid technology demonstration in Long Beach."
The $5.2 million contract a $7.1 million project that is partially funded by a $5 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). Over the course of the microgrid installation, Schneider Electric will work with the Port of Long Beach to compile and analyze 12 months of performance data to ensure the microgrid is effectively helping the port meet its energy resilience goals. Schneider Electric will also develop a "lessons learned" guidebook following the project to support replicability of microgrid installations at other facilities and the further commercialization of microgrid systems, as part of its effort to educate and share information with other California seaports about the benefits of microgrids at such facilities.
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