Port of Long Beach proposes 70-megawatt battery energy storage system

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Updated Jan 23, 2025
Proposed battery energy storage Long Beach
Upon final approval, this energy storage system would consist of 200 individual metal containers packed with vital systems and will aid in strengthening grid capacity.
Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is taking a significant step towards constructing a battery energy storage system (BESS), according to a draft study proposal it released last month.

The proposal, defined as an Initial Study and pitched by Pier S Energy Storage, examined the idea of constructing a 2.9-acre, 70-megawatt BESS on Long Beach Power Plant property. If approved, the facility would actually strengthen grid capacity. The California Public Utilities Commission previously requested grid assistance from sites such as Long Beach as part of the state's overall effort to transition to renewables energy. 

[Related: CARB's updated EV truck incentive plan costs another $35M]

The project, in its current proposal, would consist of around 200 individual metal containers, each packed with lithium-ion battery cells, a direct current collection system, an alternating current for auxiliary power, communication networks and fire suppression system, and a power conversion system to connect the BESS. A 6.6-kilovolt substation is also a necessity in order to transform the voltage between the power conversion and substation transmission systems. 

The study concluded there wouldn't be significant environmental impacts with the incorporation of mitigation measures. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has since been prepared and, along with the Initial Study draft, has been made available for public comment

Two public meeting sessions have already been held and, once those considerations have been taken into account, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will hold a TBA session for final approval. 

Constructing a BESS at this vital port will certainly benefit battery-electric tractors.

Zeem Solutions is currently building America's largest commercial charging depot at the Port of Long Beach. Upon completion, the 2.7-acre depot will feature a 15 MW capacity interconnection and plans are already in place to scale it up to two to three times that amount. The site will also include 84 DC fast charger ports delivering up to 400 kW of power per port. As many as 500 vehicles can be charged in just 24 hours.

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado, and spends his free time snowboarding, climbing, and hiking. He can be reached atΒ [email protected].

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