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Port of San Diego Considering Renewable Energy Facility

Thursday, 08 December 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

South San Diego Bay could one day be home to a renewable energy facility.

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners will consider a staff recommendation to solicit proposals for developing a renewable energy facility in National City. The topic will be discussed at the December 13 monthly board meeting. The meeting will be held at the Port Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway in San Diego, at 1 p.m.

Several renewable energy developers have approached the Port of San Diego about establishing alternative energy facilities on public land administered by the Port. The first proposal, in May 2010, was for a two-acre facility that would produce synthetic natural gas – biogas – from municipal garbage recycling residue.

Biogas is produced when organic matter is broken down through a process, producing a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide that can be safely used as fuel.

The idea was presented to the Port's Environmental and Maritime Advisory Committees in October 2011. Both committees referred the proposal to the Board of Port Commissioners.

Germany is Europe's leader in biogas technology and its leading producer of the alternative fuel. In 2010 there were 5,905 biogas plants operating throughout Germany. By comparision, biogas production in the United States is much smaller. It is a source of about 0.6 percent of the nation's total natural gas consumption.

Port staff is recommending an area for renewable energy production on Tidelands Avenue in National City between Civic Center Drive and Bay Marina Drive. The area is dominated by industrial maritime uses.

Potential connections exist between the National City waterfront's marine related industrial uses and the renewable energy industry, including:

• Producing renewable, low emissions fuels for vessels and cargo handling equipment;
• Expanding the use of sustainable energy among Port District tenants; and
• Reducing solid waste and green house gas emissions from District tenant operations.

As an environmental steward of San Diego Bay, the Port protects San Diego Bay and the surrounding land. It has established a Green Port program to minimize its environmental footprint, and established an environmental fund, which has helped fund more than 60 projects around port tidelands.

The concept of a renewable energy facility supports the Port District's mission for innovative and alternative uses of Tidelands.

If the idea for an alternative energy facility is approved by the Board of Port Commissioners, the Port could seek proposals from interested businesses during the first quarter of 2012

The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.