By Karen Robes Meeks
Work is expected to begin in March to upgrade the infrastructure needed to support a renewable, solar-powered microgrid at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Last week, the Board of Port Commissioners awarded Chambers, Inc. nearly $1.6 million to replace the roof of warehouse B with a new, lighter and more durable single-ply Thermoplastic Polyolefin membrane roof system. The construction is expected to be completed by December 2019.
The roof work is part of the larger $9.6 million microgrid project, which is funded by a grant from the California Energy Commission and other matching funds.
With installation expected by summer 2020, the microgrid will help address the need for renewable energy at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. It will also help lower greenhouse gas emissions, save the port about $168,000 in utility rates annually and allows the terminal to run for about 12 hours without connecting to the larger electrical grid. The microgrid will feature solar photovoltaic panels. Other component of the project includes battery energy storage, a centralized microgrid controller and other electrical and energy efficiency improvements. It will also give backup energy to port facilities, powering security infrastructure, lights, offices, and the existing jet fuel storage system.
“The Microgrid Project will not only help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, it will also make us more resilient in the event of natural or human-caused disasters that impact the electric grid,” said Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Garry Bonelli. “With the added bonus of reducing energy costs, this project is good for the community, for businesses on the terminal, and for the port.”
Friday, February 22, 2019
