The Port of San Diego and Crowley have began construction on a shoreside charging station that will supply renewable energy for the company’s next zero-emissions tugboat, eWolf.
The event, which was reportedly attended by important partners and community stakeholders, represented a significant step forward in the industry’s journey to decarbonise and decrease emissions in the San Diego community.
The charging station is a microgrid charging facility that will allow vessels to swiftly recharge while minimising peak demands on the municipal energy system.
It is outfitted with two containerised energy storage systems from Corvus Energy, a prominent provider of dependable energy solutions in the marine industry.
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The station is meant to function off the community’s electricity grid during off-peak hours, and it contains a solar power array to assist renewable energy consumption. If necessary, the technology can also assist other electric equipment and vehicle operations.
Each energy container will have battery modules with a storage capacity of about 1.5 megawatt-hour (MWh), totaling 2,990 kilowatts (kW).
The station will have a battery monitoring system, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), as well as firefighting and detecting technologies.
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Matt Jackson, Vice President of Advanced Energy for Crowley, said: “We are proud to share in this moment with the City of San Diego to showcase an industry-first, shoreside charging station at the Port of San Diego.
“Building a sustainable, zero-emission port of the future requires pioneering new and innovative technology, as well as a commitment to partnerships so we can meet the needs of our communities, customers and people.”
Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, stated: “We are proud to work with Crowley and are grateful they chose San Diego Bay as home of the first all-electric tugboat in the United States.
“Their 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.”
