Kalmar, a part of Cargotec Corporation, has published a new white paper focusing on the importance of fast charging technology for terminals implementing electric equipment.
According to Juho Leskinen and Henrik Häggblom, all-electric machines powered by batteries represent the future for the “horizontal transportation of containers”, with facilities like the South Florida Container Terminal in Miami investing in zero-emission rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs).
Despite the benefits of going electric, Kalmar’s paper underlines that existing solutions have not been widely implemented due to “long battery charge times” and the cost of switching over.
Fast charging technology, such as the FastCharge solution from Kalmar, is designed to electrify transportation processes without compromising on performance.
View Kalmar's cargo handling systems for ports and terminals in PTI's Supplier Directory
Leskinen, a Principal Engineer for Kalmar’s Intelligent Horizontal Transportation Solutions division, commented on the potential of this technology to boost the efficiency of electrical operations in container terminals.
“With added intelligent solutions, this entire chain can be optimised for better predictability of energy usage, fewer interruptions and improved productivity.
“This kind of smart energy system will also enable terminals to deploy high-powered fast charging within their existing electrical infrastructure.”
The lifting solutions specialist is aiming to offer its whole equipment portfolio as electrically-powered options by 2021… @Kalmarglobal #PTIDaily #Electric #Tractors #Terminalshttps://t.co/7VHmQzLhjh
— Port Technology (PTI) (@PortTechnology) February 14, 2019
The white paper also accentuates the need for added infrastructure if fast charging solutions are to be effectively implemented, with terminals having to consider whether it can facilitate an increase in peak power consumption.
Häggblom, Director of Equipment for Intelligent Horizontal Transportation Solutions, said: “The concept of the future port encompasses numerous challenges, of which energy and its management will be one of the hardest, but also one of the most rewarding.
“The practical answer to solving the challenge of terminal energy balance is to add intelligence to the complete power and energy management system all the way from the grid to the final load.”
Peter Söderberg, Kalmar, discusses eco-efficient terminal operations in a recent Port Technology technical paper
The steps required, to increase the use of all-electric solutions powered by fast charge technology, include stationary energy storage that is capable of redistributing power on request, and active data monitoring that provides “smart automated functionality”.
Looking ahead to the future of the solution, Häggblom commented: “The future of container handling is, without a doubt, electric. However, until now, the discussion has focused largely on the technical details of equipment design as well as developments in charging and battery technology.”
“The equipment and systems already available today give the possibility of looking at things from a wider vantage point, not only improving the energy efficiency of individual components, but also changing the entire terminal energy chain for the better, for good.”
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