Activity and Performance of Zero and Near-Zero Emissions Port Equipment for Emissions Reduction in the Maritime Sector

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Marine ports are an important source of emissions in many urban areas, and many ports are implementing plans to reduce emissions and greenhouse gases using zero-emission cargo handling equipment. This paper evaluates the performance and activity profiles for various zero-emission (ZE) cargo transport equipment being demonstrated at different ports in California. This included 23 battery-electric (BE) 8,000 lb. (8K) and 36,000 lb. (36K) forklifts, a BE railcar mover, and an electrified rubber-tired gantry crane (eRTG). The study focused on evaluating the performance of the ZE equipment in terms of activity patterns and the potential emissions reductions. Data loggers were used to collect activity data, including hours of use, energy consumption, and charging information over periods from 6 to 21 months. The results showed that the BE forklifts, BE railcar mover, and the eRTG averaged 2-3 hours, 5 hours, and 14 hours of use per day of operation, respectively. The average energy use for the 8k and 36k, railcar mover, and eRTG were 7.5 kWh, 17.2 kWh, 130.7 kWh and 605 kWh, respectively. Energy consumption per day of operation in terms of battery state of charge (SOC) use, for the 8K and 36K forklifts were on average, 40% and 26%, respectively. The study provides valuable insights into the operational characteristics of ZE port equipment. The annual emissions of the conventional port equipment are estimated and compared with estimated emissions generated by electricity generation that would be required to operate the electric equipment. This comparison showed nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions could be reduced 76% to 99% for the BE equipment, carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions could be reduced from 76% to 95% compared to the conventional equipment for the BE forklifts and the eRTG and 26% for the railcar mover, and particulate matter (PM) emissions for the electric equipment would negligible.</div></div>