The 1975-built, 400-passenger ferry Angel Island is about for all-electric operation in 2024
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is partnering with the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Company (Angel Island Ferry) to assist the electrification of its 400-passenger, 1975-built ferry vessel Angel Island which plans to function as California’s first zero-emission, electrical propulsion short-route ferry starting in 2024.
The electrification mission marks a milestone for PG&E’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Program by increasing its assist of transportation electrification to incorporate the marine sector.
“The Angel Island ferry is an important part of California history and Bay Area tourism, carrying hundreds of thousands of visitors to Angel Island State Park for nearly a half-century. We are excited to support and collaborate on its conversion to an electric propulsion vessel,” mentioned Lydia Krefta, PG&E’s director for clear power transportation. “For years, PG&E has been leading the way toward California’s clean energy transportation future and supporting our customers as they electrify their vehicle fleets. This partnership marks a significant expansion of our resources beyond land-based electric vehicles, and it demonstrates how we deliver for our hometowns and in support of California’s clean energy goals.”
PG&E says that its EV Fleet Program helps medium- and heavy-duty fleet prospects simply and cost-effectively set up charging infrastructure by way of complete building assist and monetary incentives. Through the collaboration with Angel Island Ferry, PG&E plans to bolster electrical energy transmission to the ferry terminal and assist the set up of charging infrastructure to assist energy the 59-foot, 400-passenger vessel for its ferry service, sundown cruises and chartered occasions.
“We are very excited that the Angel Island will be the first of the short-run ferries in California to be 100% zero-emission, as our company continues supporting the natural environment of the Bay and our beautiful state park,” mentioned Captain Maggie McDonogh, fourth-generation proprietor and operator of the Angel Island ferry. “Getting adequate electricity to our ferry terminal is an essential part of this plan. We could not move forward with going electric without the important support we receive as a participant in PG&E’s EV Fleet Program. It shows that PG&E supports small family-owned businesses like ours that are trying to reduce emissions.”
California-based Green Yachts has been chosen to transform the Angel Island to electrical propulsion. Green Yachts says its mission is to decarbonize the marine sector and advance the electrical revolution on the water. It is devoted to the sale and servicing of electrical boats and changing industrial and leisure vessels to electrical propulsion and is the primary marine sector licensed supplier in California’s CORE (Clean Offroad Equipment) program.
“This electrification project wouldn’t be possible without sufficient electrical supply for fast charging between ferry runs. PG&E has been a great partner throughout the collaboration,” mentioned Graham Balch, managing dealer of Green Yachts. “An electric semi-truck requires 2 kWh to go one mile, and the Angel Island requires 30 kWh to go one mile. The increased energy requirement per mile shows the significant challenge associated with electrifying the marine sector.”
“The electrification of the Angel Island vessel aligns with our core focus of proactively preparing the grid for the future, increasing access to charging infrastructure, and supporting electric transportation adoption through rates, rebates, tools, and education,” mentioned Aaron August, PG&E’s vice chairman, utility partnerships and innovation. “PG&E is committed to providing easy-to-use and affordable clean transportation programs and incentives that help redefine the energy landscape to support California’s clean air and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and collective action on climate change.”
All of this raises the query, “how green is the electricity that will power the Angel Island?” According to the corporate, which is a a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation [NYSE:PCG], the power mix delivered to its bundled-service customers in 2021 included the next greenhouse gas-free applied sciences:
- Non-emitting nuclear era (39%)
- Large hydroelectric amenities (4%)
- Eligible renewable sources, reminiscent of wind, geothermal, biomass, photo voltaic and small hydro (50%)
