Similar to the truck charging,
top loaders and RTGs will have
a more significant impact on
terminal electrification.
What is Electrical Demand?
Within any facility in a typical port terminal, not all
electrically operated equipment is energized at the
same time. When electrical equipment is energized,
it’s not consuming the maximum electricity for which
it is designed. For example, in a given month, a
crane may have required a maximum of 400 KVA,
yet the terminal is designed to deliver 1800 KVA. In
such a scenario, the 400 KVA is referred to as the
maximum demand for that crane. If the terminal was
designed so that a maximum of 400 KVA is delivered
by the terminal infrastructure design, that crane
would operate satisfactorily.
Designing with the maximum demand taken into
consideration during a port terminal electrical
infrastructure design means the terminal need not
ask the local utility, such as SCE, to deliver 1800 KVA
for the subject crane, when only 400 KVA is needed.
This avoids electrical surcharges by SCE to the
terminal, due to the excess capacity SCE is obliged
to make available, that the terminal operator is not
using. Similar to the crane example, the condition is
also valid for the reefers, lighting and all equipment
that operates on electricity.
Overlooking the effect of demand during the design
of the electrical infrastructure of a typical port
terminal adds substantially to electrical design and
construction costs. It also adds unnecessary costs
to the maintenance and operation of the system
installed. These costs are avoidable if the authority
making decisions on the development and operation
of a port terminal applies proper electrical demand.
Who Decides What Electrical Demand to Use?
Electrical demand is not a new phenomenon, well
known in the port industry, but rarely used. In the
past, ignoring it was not as costly, and utility rules
were more forgiving. However, with electrification
of port terminals and the very large loads that are
being considered for electrification, overlooking
electrical demand will put a terminal operator at a
much greater disadvantage than a terminal operator
who learns its impact and takes action.
8
The person who is knowledgeable on the impact of
the electrical demand on the terminal usually does
not have the authority to apply that knowledge into
the design. Unfortunately, the person (or persons)
who has the authority to direct the design with
electrical demand in mind, most likely is not familiar
with the next steps necessary to implement.
This leaves us with the current state of port terminal
electrification. There is real progress being made,
but this progress is not being made as cost-
effectively as it could be. Electrification of ports is
an expensive proposition, and port operators should
aim to control and reduce costs wherever possible.
Using the right KVA and applying maximum electrical
demand for equipment will net ports significant cost
savings as they electrify more and more equipment.
Those who use proper electrification principles will
maintain their competitiveness over those who don’t.
Please be sure to check out
our P2S Port Case Study here.