The authorities in the Georgia Port region recently announced that they will be introducing four new cranes in the facility. These cranes will be operated using electricity, as they are ERTG or Electrified Rubber-tired Gantry. This technology is being introduced in the entire North American region for the first time, and the authorities at the port have high expectations from it.

The Need for ERTG

Curtis Foltz, the Executive Director at Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) stated that this new addition is extremely essential. This addition will not only help the port but will also set an example in the industry. At present, this change is the most important initiative of the GPA. The authorities are hoping that after this change, the port will have a better productivity rate. Additionally, they are hoping that the ERTGs will help them reduce their environmental footprint.

The Installation of ERTG and Usage of Eco-Friendly Promotional Items

The ERTG systems have been developed in association with Konecranes, Georgia Power, and Conductix-Wampfler. The collaboration worked on this eco-friendly technology by providing cranes, power system, and electrical infrastructure respectively. These companies had to work in close association with each other to come up with an ERTG model.

The most integral part of this entire process was to make the ERTGs switch from a diesel auto-engage system to an electrical grid auto-engage system. With this switch, the ERTGs would use electricity for all their operations, instead of petroleum products. This task was achieved with the help of Conductix-Wampfler. In the present ERTGs, the cranes will function on electrical power or electricity 90 percent of the times that they are used.

This technology is an example for other ports to take up green initiatives and use eco-friendly items or technologies. Other ports that want to follow the footsteps of GPA need to keep in mind that the electrical equipment that is mounted using RTG and a retractable arm is lightweight and compact as well.

An Opportunity to Develop Green Technologies

The Vice President of Sales at the Georgia Power, Murry Weaver, states that the partnership between GPA or Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia Power is a significant step. Through this partnership, the company can research and develop green technologies that will help all the port authorities in America. This collaboration can research on electrical transportation that will reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, and will also help promote eco friendly promotional items within the authorities. Additionally, these new products will help the authorities save up on a lot of money. The savings can be invested in further research through which electric non-road technologies can be developed.

Source: http://www.marinelink.com/news/ecofriendly-authority350053.aspx