POLA Develops Energy Management Action Plan

SAN PEDRO —  Port of Los Angeles officials announced June 3, the development of its Energy Management Action Plan initiative designed to improve energy efficiency.

Included in the plan will be the nation’s largest port energy assessment.

The Energy Management Action Plan, unveiled during an energy workshop with representatives of the port, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, marine terminal operators and others, will serve as the port’s blueprint to identify, develop and implement various programs to improve energy efficiency, reliability, quality, cost and resiliency while keeping up with the accelerating electrification and energy demand at the port.

With the demand for electricity expected to increase dramatically in coming years, the port is developing the management action plan as a guide to improve the port’s energy profile into the future. Driving the increased demand is the expanded use of shore power; electric cranes, yard tractors and other cargo handling equipment; and future automation.

The action plan elements will include assessing the port’s existing and future power demands and developing a contingency plan for resuming operations in the event of an unexpected loss in power and an Energy Technology Advancement Program. The latter will be modeled on an existing San Pedro Bay clean air program that funds the demonstration of new technology and new uses for existing technology.

Outreach to promote energy-efficiency programs and services to Port tenants, vendors and others also will be folded into the program. Such services will include the Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program, or EETAP, under development by the LADWP.

EETAP will offer technical expertise to commercial, industrial and institutional customers to help them plan and implement comprehensive solutions that reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs. All major container terminals at the Port of Los Angeles have agreed to pre-register for EETAP.

Throughout the development and implementation of the plan, the port will collaborate with its business partners and the community to share information, concerns and program updates. A final roadmap is due to be presented to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners later this year.