Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  September 23, 2024

Port of San Diego Deploys All-Electric Mobile Harbor Cranes

The Port of San Diego’s new all-electric cranes are in full operation at the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT). 

The all-electric cranes built by Konecranes are replacing the Port’s old diesel-powered crane. The conversion from a diesel-powered crane to an all-electric crane system is a big step toward achieving one goal of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) of transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.

“Our all-new, all-electric cranes meet our dual-focused maritime mission – delivering cleaner air for our communities and delivering goods our families and businesses rely on such as geo-thermal, solar and wind farm parts that will help strengthen the power grid for the southwestern U.S.,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, in a statement. “We’re improving air quality, driving commerce, and supporting good jobs. Everybody wins.” 

The new crane system allows the Port to compete for more business. The cranes represent the heaviest lift capability of any port crane system currently in place on the U.S. West Coast – up to 400 metric tons (MT). Most of the heavy-lift cargoes destined for this region weigh more than 200 MT, including larger pieces of solar, wind, and industrial energy equipment as well as project cargoes. Some of the target cargo for the two cranes will be electric grid strengthening projects including geo-thermal, solar and wind farms specifically in Arizona, Nevada, Southern California and Utah.

In support of the MCAS, the Port and various partners have invested or committed nearly $125 million in clean air technologies and infrastructure projects, including the new electric cranes.

The Port purchased the battery-supported electric cranes from Konecranes for approximately $14 million, paid for through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and California Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds, administered by the California State Lands Commission.The Port also spent an additional $8.9 million on electrical infrastructure improvements to support the cranes, which included $2.7 million in grant funding from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. 

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