Electrical System Installation
eGSE Charging Stations at Oakland International Airport
CLIENT
Port of Oakland
PROJECT SCOPE
Supply & Implementation of Terminal 1 Charging Equipment
Facility Improvements, Power Distribution,
Industrial Mechanical, Industrial Electrical, Project Management
INDUSTRY
Aviation | Public Works
LOCATION
Oakland, Calif.
Summary: SilMan’s Specialty Trade Services installed an electrical system for 25 eGSE charging stations in support of the electric ground service fleet serving Terminal One at Oakland International Airport. Mechanical-Electrical installation, facility improvements, and site/project management within the perimeter of a TSA security zone.
Ground Services Support Improvements
Port of Oakland takes proactive steps for quality of life and environment
The Oakland International Airport has long been a proactive community member in regard to environmental sensitivity, including noise abatement, wildlife protection, and air quality.
Their move to electric ground service equipment (“eGSE”) reflects this commitment. The transition began in 2007 at Terminal 2 and continued in 2017 with the installation of 25 charging stations for Terminal 1, the subject of this article.
SilMan Industries has a history working with the Port of Oakland, which owns and operates the Oakland International Airport. As neighbors and committed community members, SilMan is pleased to be awarded this vital project.
Electrical System for eGSE Charging Stations
The Charging Stations, formally known as “TERMINAL 1 ELECTRIC GROUND SERVICE EQUIPMENT CHARGING STATIONS,” required the procurement and implementation of 25 charging stations, situated throughout the entire footprint of Terminal 1. See diagram below.
In support of the stations themselves, the electrical system project included improvements to facilities and infrastructure. SilMan deployed their team resources and key partners in four areas of work:
- Mechanical installation
- Electrical installation
- Facility Improvement
- Site & Project Management
Speak to a key team member on this project
Meet Tom Mangin
For more information about this project or related topics, contact Tom by email or call directly at 925.984.8992
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The successful operations of the new charging station unit network required an updated power and electrical system.
- Power Distribution Panels (PDP)
- Multiple raceways and accompanying 600 kcmil feeders
- Power management system, including data collection and reporting capabilities
- Retrofit existing switchgear for power circuit breakers
Further facility improvements addressed safety systems to support parking and movement of vehicles through a mixed pedestrian-vehicle work area, including installation of concrete bollards and pavement striping.
Lastly, several critical areas of performance provide support to the Port’s operations and compliance:
- Perform Field Acceptance Testing
- Perform Short Circuit Study/Coordination Study/Arc Flash Study for Power Systems
- Electrical testing
- Training: Charging Stations
- Training: Power management system.
Photo Gallery
The new electrical system powers 25 charging stations for eGSE ground support services at Terminal One.
eGSE at Oakland International Airport
The charging stations project continues Oakland International Airport’s desire to protect air quality in the East Bay.
In the airport’s press release announcing the project, Bryant L. Francis, Port of Oakland Director of Aviation was quoted saying, “We are so pleased to have the support of our airline partners as we work to reduce the Airport’s carbon footprint…we are improving air quality for our fence-line communities and making a positive step forward in contributing to worker health and safety for those employed to operate ground service vehicles at OAK.”
The installation of eGSE charging stations immediately benefited the airlines that had already embraced the non-fossil fuel vehicle. However, the stations have been offered without charge to the remaining airlines to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. The updates affect 16 gates at Terminal 1 and the conversion of dozens of vehicles.
Funding for the electrical system project was provided by the FAA “Airport Improvement Program” (AIP) through a Volunteer Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant. The AIP, created in 1982, is the most recent incarnation of Federal assistance to airport infrastructure. The program’s history dates back to the Federal Airport Act of 1946. Learn more about AIP.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland is a vibrant community organization and a major economic player in Northern California. Here is an interesting overview of the Port’s history, including vintage videos and photos.
Challenges of working within a TSA sterilized zone
* Daily security protocol and tool inspection are regular disruptions to construction operations.
* Commissioning and Startup were performed at night – 10 pm-5 am – for several weeks in order to avoid interruption of air operations.
Meet our Partners: VERTIV and Minit Charger
Successful mechanical and electrical system installation is a team effort
We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with VERTIV on the Oakland Airport charging stations project. They are a leading worldwide Electrical Reliability Services company, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
VERTIV was a major contributing partner as the testing agency for the project.
They continually went above and beyond, patiently working through the testing requirements. And most conspicuously, treating our client with respect, responsive to every request by the Port of Oakland.
Larry McCullough represented VERTIV as their on-site lead.
Testing was extensive, requiring over 400 individual tests to ensure operation without incident.
Similarly, the Minit Charger team came onsite for commissioning of the charging units.
We are grateful for the expert insight provided by Kip Shearer, not only to troubleshoot but guiding our team into the flawless performance of the equipment.
Based in Tempe, Arizona, Minit Charger is a pioneer in the motive power industry.
Subcontractors and Partners
We are grateful for the unique contribution of key partners on this project.
Partner |
Project Element |
|---|---|
| Conveyor Concepts | Bollards |
| Edges Electrical Group | Power management, 24 hr/day data collection, reporting |
| Minit Charger | Charging units |
| VERTIV | Reliability Services, electrical system test |
About SilMan Industries
SilMan Industries (formerly SilMan Construction) is based in San Leandro, California, with Engineering and Field Operations offices in Tupelo, Mississippi. The firm provides integrated turnkey solutions in the Industrial, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Public Works sectors.
Notably, in 2010, SilMan Industries was contracted to dismantle and transport the NUMMI assembly line in Fremont, Calif., transport the equipment, and reinstall the system in Blue Springs, Miss., establishing Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS). This high-visibility project ignited the company’s meteoric growth, laying the foundation for SilMan’s national service area.
For more information, please visit www.silmanindustries.com/about.
Optimize Your Investment
SilMan’s multi-disciplinary Specialty Trade Services (STS) is a community of project professionals: Engineers, Project Managers & Coordinators, Trade Teams, and Safety Management. Bringing a new performance standard throughout the industrial community:
STS commonly supports the SilMan System Integration group. Specializations include distribution center optimization for the Fulfillment and Parcel sectors (see “A Comprehensive Guide to Efficient Parcel Handling Systems”), food and beverage manufacturing and warehouse solutions, and end-to-end innovative manufacturing solutions.
Check out SilMan’s “One Team” approach in action: Facility improvements and a new bottling line at a leading West Coast dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions for eGSE Charging Stations
What is eGSE (electric Ground Service Equipment) and why are airports switching to it?
eGSE refers to electric Ground Service Equipment (like baggage handlers and tow tractors). The switch to eGSE reduces the facility's carbon footprint, improves air quality for workers and fence-line communities, and results in lower operational costs compared to the fossil fuel vehicles they replace.
What is the biggest challenge when installing new electrical systems in an active airport?
The primary challenge of working within the TSA sterilized or security zone, requires daily security protocol and tool inspections. Additionally, major operations, like the commissioning and startup performed by SilMan in this project, must occur during off-hours (e.g., 10 pm-5 am) to avoid air traffic interruptions.
What funding sources are available for airport EV charging station projects?
Projects like the charging station installation at Oakland Airport are often funded through federal initiatives such as the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP), specifically via the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant, which supports air quality improvement projects.
