Load Forecasting for Automated Terminals: A Summary of the Middle Harbor Terminal Power Requirements

The Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Container Terminal brought online two phases of the $1.493B Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project in 2015 and 2017 with completion of Phase 3 scheduled for 2020. A key component of this project is electrification and automation of cargo handling equipment that are typically diesel-powered on traditional terminals. Under construction since 2011, the project’s phased roll-out is continually providing a clearer view of the terminal’s power demand once Phase 3 goes live. Historic power data for automated facilities comparable to the Middle Harbor Terminal was not available when design began in 2005, which challenged efforts to master plan future terminal power demands. The topics discussed in this paper include: an analysis and summary of the current Middle Harbor Terminal load profile, load comparisons to estimates used during the design phase, electrical infrastructure necessary to accommodate the terminal power demands, and guidelines for estimating electrical power demand in future automated terminal designs.