Overview
P2S was selected as prime consultant for the retrofit of shore-power outlets to feed two berths at an operating container terminal at the Port of Long Beach in California. P2S was responsible for the engineering, design and construction administration for the three-year project.
Challenge
Our task was to design a shore power solution providing 5 MVA, 6.6 kV connection points for ships to “plug-in” while at berth. One of our challenges was to design a system for which no published standards existed. Another challenge was designing an installation of four shore-power connection vaults at each berth. To install each of these 12’ x 3’ x 3’D vaults, which had to be on the water edge of the wharf, we had to cut into the existing structure. Plus, construction would occur in an operating terminal so work sequences had to be carefully planned and delineated in the construction documents.
Action
P2S led the design team to pursue a solution that would minimize disruption to the existing two-berth terminal caused by construction. To avoid outages to the terminal main electrical service, P2S took advantage of a new service from Southern California Edison that utilized totalized metering.
P2S worked closely with the Port, tenant and local building officials to develop a system that centered on personnel safety. For example, we included redundant safety features on the system to prevent connecting and disconnecting vessels while energized.
Components of the new system included:
- 12kV service switchgear
- (2) 5 MVA, 6.6 kV shore-power substations
- (8) Shore-power connection boxes
Results
The new shore-to-ship electrical power will enable ships to turn off their auxiliary engines and eliminate exhaust emissions while at berth. Shore-side power eliminates all air pollutants from ships at berth, including smog-forming NOx, toxic particulate matter and greenhouse gases.
P2S is also helping to advance and standardize shore-to-ship power solutions by leading the development of an international IEC/ISO/IEEE standard for shore-to-ship power.
