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To counter growing concerns about polluting the air and surrounding communities, many inland and seaports are turning to electric equipment to meet tightening environmental regulations.
However, before going fully electric, ports should consider propane. Propane can improve port operations with advantages that other energy sources, like diesel and electric, can’t deliver. Its versatility enables propane to power everything from light- and medium-duty vehicles, to terminal tractors and forklifts, to commercial generators and marine vessels. Plus, it reduces harmful emissions compared to both diesel and grid electricity while delivering reduced equipment, maintenance, and infrastructure costs.
The sheer size and power needs of port operations — not to mention the increasing instability of the U.S. electrical grid — demand reliable backup power in case of a costly grid outage. The only fuel that can deliver reliable power with near-zero emissions is propane.
Managing a Port’s Power Needs
Ports must ensure cargo ships are unloaded within a specified amount of time or risk a fine. Electric port tractors, forklifts, and drayage trucks must be recharged in a timely manner so that cargo ships are unloaded within deadline, and containers don’t create a bottleneck within a port’s physical footprint. However, the recent influx of electric equipment and vehicles can severely strain grid demand needed for charging.
At some ports, there are hundreds or even thousands of terminal tractors. One terminal tractor alone could use up to 100,000 kWh of energy per year. Additionally, drayage trucks transport containers short distances, either within a port complex or to nearby off-site locations.
Electric utilities often are unable to provide the grid power necessary to charge all of those vehicles with existing service. Construction to install new cabling and substations necessary to increase the power load can be delayed by years and can be very costly.
The Necessity of Propane Generators
Given their unique power demands, generators are a necessity at ports. Diesel models defeat the goal of reducing onsite emissions and minimize gains achieved through electric equipment purchases.
That’s why propane generators, such as e-Boost POD or e-Boost Mobile trailer units from Pioneer eMobility, make sense. Propane is a domestic fuel and is drastically cleaner than diesel with a much lower carbon intensity than many common energy types. Replacing diesel with propane-powered equipment means port workers and residents who live near a port aren’t inhaling harmful fumes and potentially suffering the health consequences.
Propane generators can also play a role in a port’s acquisition of electric material handling vehicles. For example, the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 set aside $3 billion via the U.S. EPA’s Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission equipment. While that funding can’t be used to acquire propane generators, those generators can be used to power all of the new electric equipment.
Propane generators are also a key component of microgrids, which are independent electrical grids powered by a combination of propane and renewable energies, like solar and wind power. They provide power autonomy that is especially important when the grid fails or an outage occurs and a port loses electrical power.
Diversity of energy sources — propane, electric, and renewable energy — is a positive for ports. Propane power generation complements those other sources to create a wide path to decarbonization, all while ensuring reliable, resilient energy.
Learn more about propane for ports.
