Port Microgrid Terminal: San Diego’s Going Solar

Introduction

The Port of San Diego is embarking on one of the largest green energy microgrid projects of its kind in the country. I mean the installation of solar panels and a microgrid on its property. The microgrid will enable the port to feed excess energy back into the regional grid while also powering its own operations, such as its maritime operations center and fueling operations. The project will also include storage and other power-storage devices to increase the amount of energy the microgrid can provide and reduce the amount of fossil-fuel-generated power the port has to buy.

The port’s role in supporting national and regional environmental goals is crucial in view of the federal government’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. It is also important so the port can remain competitive in a region with increasing gas prices.

According to the Port of San Diego went microgrid in a terminal. For it announced last Tuesday it secured more than $5 million in grant funding. Funding for installing a port solar-powered microgrid at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Boom boom so cool so cool so cool!!

According to the Port:

Solar photovoltaic panels will power the microgrid. This will also include battery energy storage, efficiency improvements, electrical infrastructure improvements, and a centralized microgrid controller. Ah the controller is so essential. Programming, computer programming, computer programming. We need those green jobs!!

The microgrid will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. More importantly, it will save the Port an estimated $168,000, or 60 percent on energy. That’s per year over “current” utility rates. Hence and thereby enable operating critical terminal infrastructure for about 12 hours without being connected to the larger electrical grid.

“This is an all-around great project for the community, for the businesses that run on the terminal and for the port,” Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Rafael Castellanos said. “It means cleaner air for our neighbors, will give a reliable, safe and resilient power source for terminal and port operations, and provides significant cost savings.”

Most importantly, this microgrid expecting to cost $9.6 million. Finally, it installing spring 2020.

Furthermore, the California Energy Commission will give $4,985,272 in grant funding for the project. As well, that matching with $4,427,973 from the Port. Also, expect another $201,963 from UC San Diego.

In conclusion, the microgrid fits into a modernization plan intended to make the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal more efficient and clean.