Ports are taking on the challenge to reduce carbon emissions and becoming leaders in climate solutions. According to the International Transport Forum (ITF), shipping and ports generate approximately 2.6% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)—or about a fifth of the 17% generated by transportation in general. Considering the growth in worldwide commerce, the ITF notes that pollution from shipping and ports could more than triple by 2050 without reduction measures.
While much transport-related pollution derives from ships burning heavy fuel oil, a substantial portion is generated by port logistics and machinery. Not only do the resulting GHGs contribute to climate change, port workers and area residents are subjected continually to high levels of pollutants and noise. Reducing these local impacts falls under the EPA’s push for environmental justice, addressing “…the disproportionately adverse human health and environmental impacts in overburdened communities.” In fact the EPA has launched its U.S. Ports Initiative to specifically address environmental justice and equity issues that disproportionately fall on near-port communities.
As a result, the trend to clean ports is growing, with governments, organizations and businesses working worldwide to reduce port-related emissions.
The primary focus is to find clean alternatives to fossil fuels (primarily diesel and LPG) used by port machinery such as cranes, forklifts, stackers, carriers and container handlers. While some ports are switching to battery electric vehicle power, hydrogen electric fuel cell technology is emerging as a more viable solution for reasons that will be discussed later in this blog, including BayoTech’s efforts to develop a renewable source of hydrogen within the Port of Stockton, California and the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma.
Pollution at the Country’s Largest Port Facility
The twin port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest in the U.S., offers a prime case study. Collectively the ports represent the single largest fixed source of air pollution in Southern California, responsible for more than 100 tons per day of smog and particulate-forming nitrogen oxides and more than the daily emissions from all 6 million cars in the region. In addition, the California Air Resources Board estimates that port air pollution creates cancer risks for tens of thousands of residents.
In 2006, Los Angeles and Long Beach ports adopted a Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) that was updated in 2010 and 2017. One key element of the plan is demonstrating how zero emission technologies can handle cargo as it is unloaded from a ship, moves through a terminal, and ultimately is transferred on to its final destination. If successful, this will establish a “zero emissions pathway” for cargo as it moves throughout the port.
Electrification Alone Doesn’t Solve Ports’ Environmental Problems
Electrification is one solution to cleaner port operations. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) help reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise and maintenance costs while optimizing energy use.
All of which makes electricity a good solution for some applications, but challenging for applications that can't afford:
- Long charging times which dramatically reduce port productivity
- Battery weight that severely limits cargo handling capacity
- To wait for electric infrastructure to come online nor have the space for battery charging and storage
- Port operations require enormous amounts of electricity, which is difficult to scale up quickly —especially with green sources such as solar or wind.
The above factors combined make electrification alone an infeasible option for ports compared to diesel.
Hydrogen—the Better Option for Clean Ports and Environmental Justice
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water and heat as by-products. Not only does hydrogen offer zero emission transport, most material-handling equipment in ports can be converted to hydrogen. Additionally, the equipment is “clustered” in relatively small spaces for convenient and economical refueling.
The CEM Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition champions hydrogen as the most viable solution for reducing port-generated GHGs, describing ports as a “…cornerstone for the adoption of hydrogen fuels and technologies.” The group works with port representatives and decision-makers from government and industry to accelerate hydrogen deployment.
In addition to producing zero emissions, hydrogen fuel cells offer distinct advantages over battery-electric systems, including:
- Simple, fast refueling with far less downtime
- Consistent power delivery until fully depleted similar to conventional equipment performance
- Hydrogen molecules cost similar to conventional fuels
- Growing hydrogen technology and availability allows ports to cover their needs more efficiently and cost effectively than with BEVs alone
- Hydrogen fueling infrastructure is faster to deploy and scale up compared with electricity, which requires a new substation.
Hydrogen fuel technology is adapted easily to material-handling equipment, including:
- RTG cranes
- Forklifts
- Container handlers
- Straddle carriers
- Reach stackers
- Yard tractors
- Drayage/Long Haul trucks
- Rail switcher engines
- Harbor craft (tugs, work boats, ferries, patrol boats, etc.)
- Backup power and generators
Additionally, hydrogen is the most effective solution for port-related environmental justice issues, offering the surrounding communities better air quality and reduced noise without reducing port productivity.
Hydrogen is Viable and Growing
There is an established and growing hydrogen market, with 70 million tonnes of hydrogen produced for industrial use worldwide every year. The U.S produces approximately 10 million tonnes per year. In addition, the hydrogen market is expected to grow as private firms and countries pursue projects to expand production capacity in expectation of rising demand for clean energy.
Cutting edge hydrogen businesses have developed a range of innovative production, transportation, and storage solutions for hydrogen, making zero-emission transitions more available and less expensive each year. For example, BayoTech’s high-pressure trailers and on-site hydrogen production hubs offer simple transition solutions that can tap into existing natural gas pipelines or co-located biogas resources to produce up to 1,700 kilograms per module of hydrogen per day.
Hydrogen Case Study: The Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is working with truck manufacturer Kenworth to develop ten zero-emission Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks that employ Toyota’s fuel cell drive technology. In this demonstration, freight operators will move cargo on these trucks in and out of the ports and throughout Southern California.
To create hydrogen fueling support for this project and the public, Shell U.S.A. has constructed two renewable hydrogen fueling stations as part of a wider network of hydrogen stations throughout the region. This project also includes two zero-emission yard tractors that will operate at a terminal at the Port of Hueneme, as well as a demonstration of two zero-emission forklifts in a regional commercial warehouse to showcase a complete supply chain operating on zero emissions.
How BayoTech is Driving the Move to Hydrogen for Clean Ports
Understanding the potential for hydrogen to become the green standard for zero emission port operations, BayoTech is designing and developing equipment that meets clean port needs. We have worked on many projects that provide expertise specific to port operations.
Our on-site hydrogen production unit can cover a port’s hydrogen demands, providing insulation from unreliable hydrogen supply chains. Our production unit is modular and highly scalable, which allows BayoTech to adjust to hydrogen production as demand grows.
We are also a reliable partner for providing regular hydrogen supply for technology testing and long-term transition with high-pressure hydrogen transportation and storage solutions.
One example is our partnership with the Port of Stockton, California, where BayoTech is working to develop a renewable source of hydrogen within the Port including transporting hydrogen to users. BayoTech will also market and sell hydrogen to end users within the region and provide onsite distribution services based on demand.
We’re also providing hydrogen fueling for the Hyster® top-pick container handler at the Port of Los Angeles. The Center for Transportation and the Environment reports that this technology has the potential for widespread commercialization and significant industry transformation.
Summing up: Hydrogen is the Clean Port Solution
One example is our partnership with the Port of Stockton, California, where BayoTech is working to develop a renewable source of hydrogen within the Port including transporting hydrogen to users. BayoTech will also market and sell hydrogen to end users within the region and provide onsite distribution services based on demand.
We’re also providing hydrogen fueling for the Hyster® top-pick container handler at the Port of Los Angeles. The Center for Transportation and the Environment reports that this technology has the potential for widespread commercialization and significant industry transformation.
Summing up: Hydrogen is the Clean Port Solution
The trend to cleaner ports, with zero emissions and reduced noise, is here to stay. Port operators, port tenants, fleet operators and governments are adapting and responding to this trend. While some port functions are turning to electrification, this option includes the challenges of long charging times, vast charging infrastructure requirements and high electricity demand.
Hydrogen technology is a more effective solution for ports, with its ability to reduce emissions, optimize energy, reduce noise, and increase energy efficiency while also providing fast refueling and consistent power delivery.
The growing availability of hydrogen technology and the existing global hydrogen market make it possible for the ports to cover their needs more efficiently and less costly than before.
Ports must continue to adopt hydrogen technology, collaborating with industry and governments and having reliable partners such as BayoTech on their side.If you're interested in reducing emissions in the shipping and port industry, reach out to us at info@bayotech.com to learn more about our hydrogen production and transportation technologies.
