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2019 Philomathia Forum on Energy and the Environment

port of Oakland

Port & Freight Decarbonization

Dates: October 28-29, 2019
Location: UC Berkeley, Clark Kerr Campus. UC Berkeley Campus

Changes in transport technology, evolving regional and international shipping practices, and policy developments on climate and environmental justice create an urgent need for market-relevant research to accelerate freight and maritime port decarbonization.  This conference will forge new collaboration among freight industries, equipment manufacturers, government, university centers and community leaders on efforts to achieve zero emission port and freight operations.  The conference will identify a research agenda on freight decarbonization for University of California policy and transportation research centers.  

This two-part conference will start with an open-to-the-public day of panel/audience discussions to identify research needs from the perspectives of equipment manufacturers, freight operators, renewable fuel producers, policy makers and university researchers.  Afternoon panels will focus on research needs associated with electric supply/charging and hydrogen fuel infrastructure at maritime ports. 

A second, invitation-only day will consist of workgroup meetings on:  1) electric supply and charging infrastructure needed for electrification of port operations; 2) hydrogen fuel cycles for freight and shipping; and, 3) finance and permitting challenges for climate friendly infrastructure in port and freight systems.  Conference organizers plan to produce a white paper that synthesizes the key findings and research needs identified in the conference.  The white paper will serve as a springboard for ongoing partnerships and collaboration on port and transport decarbonization.

The Philomathia Foundation logoThe Philomathia Foundation has supported research and post-graduate education at UC Berkeley in energy and climate issues since 2001. Its vision is to seek innovative means to promote the betterment of humankind through a commitment to education and research. Learn more about the Philomathia Foundation at https://www.philomathia.org/

Program

Monday, October 28, 2019

9:30 - 10:00 AM - Registration

10:00 - 10:15 AM - Welcome
Speakers:

  • David Wooley, Goldman School of Public Policy
  • Brian Beveridge, Margaret Gordon, WOIEP

Themes:

  • Climate Protection
  • Environmental Justice

10:15 - 10:44 AM - Keynote presentation
Speakers:

  • Senator Nancy Skinner
  • Michelle Kinman, Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator (LACI)

Themes:

  • State policies and legislation on freight and port decarbonization
  • Public health and climate urgency of freight decarbonization
  • The increasing link between transportation and electric supply infrastructure
  • Research and partnerships needed to secure financial and policy support

10:45 - 11:30 AM
Panel: Accelerating new vehicle technologies
For the first time since the industrial revolution, it is possible to plan zero-carbon, diesel-free, maritime port and related freight operations.  Deep transportation decarbonization through the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty trucks is critical. Manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, cargo handling, and charging equipment face unique infrastructure and economic challenges. In this conversation, freight equipment and vehicle manufacturers will discuss current and forthcoming innovation and research needs to expand markets for zero-emission vehicles.

  • Dawn Fenton, Volvo Lights Project
    • Daimler, or Tesla representatives (invited)
  • OEM Cargo Handling Equipment: BYD, Orange EV (invited) 
  • Lars Peters, Director of Business Development, EVgo
  • Hydrogen: Toyota, (invited]
  • Jeff Wolfe, Hydrogen fueling infrastructure, Trillium

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Panel: Challenges and Opportunities in Zero Carbon Freight
This conversation will examine the pragmatic realities and barriers to a zero-carbon freight future, from the perspective of transport industry and public agency leaders.

Speakers:

  • Tom Jelenic, Pacific Maritime Shipping Association
  • Damian Breen, BAAQMD
  • Chris Shimoda, CA Trucking Association
  • John Driscoll , Maritime Port Director, Port of Oakland (invited)

Moderator: Ethan Elkind, Climate and Business Program at UC Berkeley School of Law

12:15 - 1:15 PM - Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 PM
Panel: The Missing Link – Alternative Fuels for Transport
Electricity and hydrogen are promising alternative fuels to achieve zero-emission heavy-duty equipment trucks and harbor craft.   Electric charging infrastructure will be needed at ports, warehouses, fleet home bases and other locations.  Strategies to co-locate hydrogen fuel stations and hydrogen production at ports might help connect this fuel to freight decarbonization.  Electric and hydrogen storage could also provide other values for Port and freight operations including: back-up power, wholesale power market revenues.

Speakers:

  • JP Ross, East Bay Community Energy, Electric charging infrastructure for drayage trucks
  • Nel Hydrogen (electrolysis)
  • Shell (H2 reformation from renewable gas)
  • Jeff Reed, UC Irvine H2 Storage and fueling infrastructure – Tri-Generation (invited)

Moderator: Tim Lipman, UC Berkeley, Institute for Transportation Studies & Lawrence Berkeley Lab

2:15 - 3:15 PM
Panel:  Getting to Zero at the Port of Oakland
Large-scale electrification of transportation will create new challenges for the Port of Oakland’s electrical supply infrastructure. However, emerging distributed energy solutions can provide both reliability and resilience to the port’s power system.

Speakers:

  • Michael Robinson, Renewable electricity potential, EDF Renewables
  • Doug Black, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Microgrid and Grid Integration Expert
  • Jared Carpenter, Port of Oakland, Manager Utilities and Engineering
  • John Hake, Electric power generation from renewable gas (EBMUD)

Moderator:  Margaret McCall, UC Berkeley, Goldman School

2:45 - 3:15 PM - Afternoon Break

3:30 - 4:15 PM
Panel: Developing a University-Industry Research Consortia
Representatives from different UC campuses will react to the day’s panels and describe current research needs in goods movement and transportation electrification. The panel will also explore pathways for research to help achieve climate, public health and economic goals.

Speakers:

  • UC Berkeley, Institute of Transportation Studies: Tim Lipman
  • UC Davis, Institute of Transportation Studies: Marshall Miller
  • California Air Resources Board (CARB)
  • California Energy Commission Staff
  • UC Irvine: Jeff Reed

Moderator: Daniel Rodriguez, UC Berkeley, Institute of Transportation Studies

4:15 - 4:45 PM - Summary of Key Insights from Day One
4:45 - 6:00 PM - Networking and Reception

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

9:30 - 12:00 PM 

Working group sessions
Selected Industry leaders, government leaders, academics and NGOs convene in breakout sessions to develop proposed research and action plans to address specific aspects of port and freight decarbonization.

Electric Supply Infrastructure

  • Electrification of trucks and freight handling equipment
  • Electric supply and charging infrastructure

Alternative Fuels – Electrification, Renewable Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

  • Zero carbon fuels for ships, harbor craft, rail and long-haul trucking
  • Renewable energy supply for port and freight operations

Permitting, Regulatory Incentives and Financial Instruments

  • Alternative finance for carbon-free port infrastructure
  • State regulation and incentives
  • Permitting challenges

12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 PM - Report from each group and next steps discussion

2:40 - 3:00 Final Remarks
Concluding session that identifies next steps and ways to foster an ongoing cooperation and dialogue on opportunities.
Moderator: David Wooley