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US port builds electric tug-charging station
Port of San Diego, in southwest USA, is constructing an electrical charging station in preparation for the introduction of a zero-emissions tugboat
Vessel owner Crowley is working with the Californian port to build a microgrid charging facility to provide power for its forthcoming eWolf tug, to decarbonise ship towage, manoeuvring and docking.
This facility will recharge the batteries on eWolf quickly and will be prepared to charge other electric equipment and vehicle operations, if needed. It is designed to operate on off-peak hours from the grid, to reduce peak loads on the community energy grid, and is equipped with two containerised energy storage systems provided by Corvus Energy and a solar power array to support renewable energy use.
Each energy container will house battery modules with storage capacity of almost 1.5 MWh, for a total capacity of 2,990 kW.
This charging station will be equipped with a battery monitoring system, high-voltage air conditioning, fire detection technology and a fire-fighting system.
Crowley selected San Diego Bay as home of the first all-electric tugboat in the US due to the types of ships using the port and harbour operations requirements.
“Building a sustainable, zero-emissions port of the future requires pioneering new and innovative technology, and a commitment to partnerships, so we can meet the needs of our communities, customers and people,” said Crowley vice president of advanced energy Matt Jackson.
eWolf and its shoreside solar charging station are the result of a partnership between Crowley, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board, the Port of San Diego, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Maritime Administration.
“Crowley’s commitment to sustainability in the maritime industry directly aligns with our own efforts and goals to reduce emissions and improve public health in our communities, while also supporting efficient and modern maritime operations,” said Port of San Diego chair of the board of port commissioners, Rafael Castellanos.
Master Boat Builders is constructing eWolf at its shipyard in Coden, Alabama. This tugboat is designed to operate at its full performance capabilities while running entirely on electricity.
Port of San Diego has been shortlisted for Riviera Maritime Media’s Port Decarbonisation of the Year Award, for pioneering port electrification and emissions reductions through eWolf’s shore power and equipment upgrades. This award recognises a port anywhere in the world that has shown leadership in addressing maritime decarbonisation.
Winners of the award and many others of the Annual Marine Propulsion Decarbonisation Awards will be announced during an industry dinner at Riviera’s Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe, Conference, Awards & Exhibition.
Riviera’s two-day Maritime Decarbonisation, Europe: Conference, Awards & Exhibition 2023 returns to Amsterdam on 26-27 September 2023, seeking to bring clarity to regulatory directions and decarbonisation pathways for both newbuilds and existing vessels
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