EDF Renewables North America (EDFR) announced a contract to build a 700 kW/ 2,400 kWh Microgrid Infrastructure Project for the Port of San Diego. The Project, designed to island the electrical infrastructure at the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT), was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners on November 10, 2020. The Microgrid Infrastructure Project, consisting of a battery storage system and electrical infrastructure, projects $3.2 million in energy savings for the Port during regular operations over 20 years, and aligns with California Government Code 4217 providing the best value to the Port. The system will provide emergency back-up power to the Port-operated facilities, including security infrastructure, lights, offices, and existing jet fuel storage system in support of the Port’s role as a Strategic Port.
The microgrid at TAMT will advance the Port’s use of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions on and around the terminal and supports and aligns with the Port’s Climate Action Plan. Raphael Declercq, EVP, Distributed Solutions & Strategy at EDF Renewables commented, “We are pleased to be selected by the Port to support their energy efficiency and renewable energy ambitions through the Microgrid Infrastructure Project. Our portfolio of solar and storage microgrids with companies throughout the state demonstrates our ability to deliver solar and storage microgrid solutions to ensure reliability of services and to support business operations.”
“The microgrid project provides numerous benefits for not just the Port, but our surrounding communities and region,” said Vice Chair Michael Zucchet, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We’re delighted to be a leader in the process of cargo terminal electrification. Through our testing, monitoring and evaluation, we will share our findings with other ports in California and around the world.”
During typical grid connected operations, the battery system optimizes operations by allowing the facility to draw from the stored energy during the utility’s expensive evening on-peak period. The energy storage system will also reduce utility costs by discharging the battery to mitigate spikes in usage thereby lowering demand charges. Meanwhile, during a power outage, instead of using only a diesel generator for backup power, the Microgrid can support the facility resulting in fuel savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
— Solar Builder magazine
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