The First Permitted Cold Ironing Project at the Port of Long Beach, Pier G Phase 2 Wharf

"Cold Ironing" is a process utilized to reduce exhaust emissions from ships at berth by providing shore-generated electrical power instead of operating the ships' auxiliary diesel generators. Although the U.S. Navy has used cold ironing for decades at naval facilities around the world, its application in a commercial context is relatively new. This paper describes the process of design development and of securing building permits for a cold ironing system at Pier G Phase 2 Wharf in the Long Beach Harbor Department (LBHD) District, more widely known as the Port of Long Beach (POLB). The first step in designing the shore-to-ship power system at POLB involved developing design standards, since none were available for this type of commercial power supply system. The three main considerations were: establishing a ship voltage and electrical load standard for ships presently in service and those that will be in service 10–15 years from now; developing shore-to-ship electrical connection hardware; and designing system safety requirements. Subsequent design considerations included appropriate wharf structure and transformer/switchgear components. The permitting process was also unusual. The Permits Section of the Long Beach Building Department had never had plans submitted for a cold ironing system. Concerns were shared with the Plan Check Reviewers on the overall system, and operational standards were developed to ensure safe operating conditions for the cold ironing system. These extra steps in the permitting process were necessary to secure the building permits required to construct the project.