Port of Oakland has announced the approval of a US$2 million contract for the design of a new clean energy project at the Oakland Seaport.
The project includes electrical infrastructure along with solar generation, battery storage systems, fuel cell and substation and connection circuit replacement.
“This is a major step toward our goal to make the Oakland Seaport a zero-emissions operation,” said Port of Oakland maritime director, Bryan Brandes.
The Port approved hiring Burns & McDonnell, an engineering design consulting firm with expertise in power resiliency and clean energy. The design work will result in construction drawings of electrical infrastructure components that incorporate green technology and resiliency features, according to a statement.
The design is the fundamental work that creates the first critical step for the construction of the new substation and the accompanying infrastructure, according to the port, which said, “The latter will integrate renewable power to support the port’s goal of transitioning to all electric, heavy-duty trucks and cargo-handling equipment. It will eliminate the reliance on fossil fuels in cargo handling operations. This new infrastructure in the maritime area will serve the former Oakland Army Base and Outer Harbor sites. The project will also improve the maritime area’s electrical grid resiliency.”