South Coast Air Quality October 13, 1995
Management District Board
Background
On April 14, 1995, the AQMD Governing Board approved Request for Proposals (RFP) #9495-29, entitled "Demonstration of Airport Ground Service Equipment (GSE) Electrification." This RFP solicited a wide range of proposals for demonstration of electrified GSE, such as aircraft tow tractors, cargo loaders and carts used on the airport tarmac, including both new GSE concepts and existing commercial GSE.
Staff received four proposals in response to this RFP. Of the four proposals received, two involved research and development (R&D) of new electric GSE technology. The other two were commercialization in nature, whereby the bidders sought reimbursement for the differential purchase cost of new, commercially available electric GSE, above the cost of standard diesel units. All proposals received met the broad requirements set forth in the RFP. The RFP evaluation criteria, however, were not sufficient to enable staff to evaluate the two diverse types of proposals, R&D and commercialization, on an equivalent basis. Staff, therefore, proposes to reissue the RFP with a narrower scope focusing on R&D rather than commercialization.
Proposal
The revised RFP solicits demonstrations in support of 1994 AQMP Control Measure #94MOF-06, "Control of Emissions From Aircraft and Ground Support Equipment." Airports are considered among the largest single source emitters because they attract millions of air passengers every year. Airports also attract other related business and accommodations, which in turn generate more vehicle traffic and emissions, including freight companies, rental car companies and restaurants.
Two recent studies conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) at Boston's Logan and San Diego International Airports showed that use of electro-technologies would result in reductions of more than 70 percent in vehicle-related particulate, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions. The reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions could be as great as 70 percent, depending on the type and number of vehicles converted. Carbon dioxide emissions could fall by approximately 30 percent. The population of GSE is estimated to be about 5,000 at Basin airports. Currently, GSE are not required to meet any emission standards..
The revised RFP #9596-10 focuses on the R&D of new types of electric GSE rather than equipment which has already been commercialized. Such a focus serves to expand the availability of low-emission GSE and increases the options airlines and airports have to improve their operations and reduce emissions. It should also be noted that staff is interested in evaluating proposals to demonstrate fuel cell technology as a means to electrify GSE, either as a direct source of propulsion or as a near-zero-emissions source for recharging battery-powered GSE.
Proposals received will be evaluated by a committee consisting of members of the Technology Advancement office, and representatives from the Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission according to the criteria spelled out in he attached RFP.
Financial Terms
Staff recommends that up to $500,000 in District funds be allocated for this project. Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year 1995-96 Budget of the Technology Advancement Office for this purpose.
The proposed RFP has been approved by the Technical Review Committee established to review the allocation of California Health & Safety Code 40448.5 and DMV Vehicle Code 9250.11 clean-burning fuels program funds. Further, the RFP was reviewed by the Technology Committee on September 13, 1995 and was approved.
Staff recommends approval of the attached RFP which solicits proposals to demonstrate the use of zero-emission technologies in airport.
THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD
--Approve the attached Request for Proposals for the Demonstration of Airport Ground Support Equipment Electrification, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.
Respectfully,
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
ACL:ARA:MXB
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