Los Angeles ports are reviewing their energy options.

Los Angeles port operators are considering the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles to address environmental concerns.

The California Hydrogen Business Council has released a report on the 2016 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Ports Workshop held late last year, which outlines the next steps that were identified to address the need to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases that originate from activities at the ports.

The report identifies the transport of freight into and out of the port boundaries as a cause of pollution and calls for "clean fuels or zero-emission propulsion for anything that moves - trucks, ships, forklifts, container movers - and cleaner fuels or zero-emission electric power systems".

Officials note that port management cannot dictate technology choices for the tenants at the ports; it can only push for clean air outcomes.

"While moving to more electrification is part of the solution, bringing more power into the port from the local utilities has its own consequences. Bringing in or making hydrogen from local renewables in the port can provide an important component of electrification," it states.

To accomplish clean air goals with a mix of technologies, including a significant use of hydrogen, will require collaboration among hydrogen industry suppliers, the spectrum of users at the port, funding sources and regulatory agencies. In addition, since much of the pollution arises from idling or slow traffic, both zero-emission technologies and intelligent traffic management can contribute to the solution.

The Council is planning a follow-up workshop to discuss implementation of the findings to develop implementation plans.

The report can be found here.