From left to right: Thad Angelloz, Chett Chiasson, Charlotte Runzel, Congressman Garret Graves, and Elizabeth Craddock
Last week, Congressman Garret Graves, had a hands-on look at SailPlan’s advanced port optimization and emissions monitoring technology implemented by leaders at Port Fourchon in Southeast Louisiana. Graves is an avid supporter of transportation systems in the U.S.
Last week, SailPlan and Port Fourchon staff gave Congressman Garret Graves a tour of SailPlan’s technology at the Port. Congressman Graves strongly supports lowering gas prices in the U.S. and knows the importance of Port Fourchon for our nation’s oil supply. Port Fourchon handles 10-15% of the Nation’s domestic energy production. Port Fourchon and SailPlan installed real-time air quality sensors, this modernization technology enables the Port to understand and optimize its energy consumption. A more efficient Port helps ensure lower costs for taxpayers and greater throughput of vital goods and services to consumers, reducing costs.
Since last summer, Port Fourchon has used SailPlan technology, collecting minute-by-minute data as the port monitors air quality and then analyzing and associating that data with vessel and other vehicle movement, and distinguishes it from infrastructure and other sources of environmental data. This partnership makes Port Fourchon the first port in the world to have a precise and 360-degree view of its emissions. The Port uses emissions data gathered and reported in real-time to create a baseline and then works to reduce the facility’s emissions, which saves money on energy costs. SailPlan has also helped the Port to provide verifiable data about the air quality around the facility and analytical reports and systems to provide insights to leaders about what improvements the Port can make to improve air quality.
The Congressional visit started with a presentation from Chett Chiasson, the Port’s Executive Director, and Charlotte Runzel, SailPlan’s Head of Government Affairs. They showed Congressman Graves what real-time air quality monitoring data means and how it can help improve port operations. Next, the group drove around the port for a hands-on look at the sensors, which are smaller than a shoe box and mounted on various poles throughout the Port. Charlotte also brought the delegation out for an up-close look at the Harvey Power, an offshore oil and gas vessel that uses SailPlan’s technology to monitor, report, and optimize emissions and fuel use.
The combination of a port using SailPlan’s emissions monitoring and optimization technology and vessels using SailPlan’s platform, both interacting with each other can have a dramatic impact on fuel and energy savings for both the port and shipowners while at the same time substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
SailPlan is incredibly thankful for the Port’s and Congressman Graves’ time. This visit was a great opportunity to explain the importance of real-time emissions monitoring to a Member of Congress.
