BOARD MEETING DATE: July 12, 1996
AGENDA NO. 9
PROPOSAL:
Cost Share the Modeling, Design, and Demonstration of a Fuel Cell Power
System for the Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB)
SYNOPSIS:
The Fuel Cell Buyers Consortium (FCBC), a non-profit entity created
by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has proposed
a project to develop and demonstrate ATTBs powered by fuel cells. In Phase
1, FCBC will model and design a fuel cell system that can be assembled,
installed, and tested in an ATTB testbed. The total cost of Phase 1 is
approximately $1.35 million. AQMD's contribution will not exceed $350,000,
and shall be contingent on cost sharing of at least $1 million from other
funders.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 12, 1996, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with LACMTA in an amount not to exceed $350,000 to cost share the modeling, design, and demonstration of a fuel cell system for the ATTB. This contract shall include the following contingencies: 1) no AQMD funds can be expended until LACMTA obtains firm written commitments for a minimum total of $1 million in cost sharing from the funding entities identified in Table 1, and 2) AQMD funds shall be expended on technical work including modeling, design, and demonstration of a fuel cell system for the ATTB.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
CSL:ARA:JHL
Background
The AQMP anticipates the commercialization and deployment
of zero-emission transportation systems over the next 15 years. One specific
AQMP target is to phase in electric propulsion technologies for the Basin's
fleet of approximately 4,000 transit buses. Fuel cells are electrochemical
engines that can provide excellent performance and range for transit buses
while being virtually pollution free. LACMTA and other transit districts
are now giving fuel cells serious consideration as commercially viable,
environmentally benign powerplants of the near future.
In 1992, LACMTA initiated the Advanced Technology Transit
Bus (ATTB) program using funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
The objective of this national program is to develop, demonstrate, and
commercialize safe, lightweight, low- or zero-emission, fuel-efficient
transit buses. Transit agencies participating in the ATTB program represent
more than half of the national bus fleet. The primary technical contractor,
Northrop Grumman Corporation in El Segundo, is now building six ATTBs featuring
advanced composite materials, a low-floor design, advanced electronics,
and an electric drivetrain. LACMTA expects that these ATTBs will be deployed
in the 1997-98 timeframe. Fuel cells are among the powerplants under consideration
for incorporation into one or more of these prototype transit buses.
In May 1994, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
approved the formation of the FCBC. The primary purpose of this non-profit
entity is to harness public sector buying power as a means to support defense
conversion and growth of a fuel cell industry in Southern California. A
coalition of about thirty local and state government entities, public utilities,
and transit agencies make up the FCBC, which has selected the ATTB program
as the best point of entry for fuel cells into commercial transportation
applications.
LACMTA is the lead agency for the FCBC and has been appointed
to be its legal and fiscal agent. The FCBC Board of Directors consists
of Los Angeles County Supervisors Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Michael Antonovich;
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan; Councilman James Craigin representing
LACMTA; and Councilwoman Nell Soto representing the AQMD.
Proposal
FCBC has proposed a two-phased project to develop and
demonstrate one or more ATTBs powered by fuel cells. In Phase 1, FCBC will
model, design, and procure a fuel cell system that can subsequently be
assembled, installed, and tested in an ATTB testbed. The FCBC team includes
fuel cell experts, engineers and scientists from Northrop Grumman, the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of California at Davis, and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This technical team will
use advanced computer modeling for optimal selection and integration of
all fuel cell powerplant components and subsystems into the overall ATTB
vehicle system. The project will support continuing system improvements
by identifying where to push technology that can benefit future generations
of buses.
Phase 1 of the FCBC project also includes activities designed to educate transit districts and manufacturing companies about important business opportunities involving fuel cell technologies. These activities, which will not be funded by the AQMD, can help make the Basin a leading region for manufacturing and marketing of fuel cell technologies. For example, economic development seminars will be organized by the FCBC to inform local companies about manufacturing requirements for fuel cell components that will be used in the ATTB program. Information will be disseminated to help LACMTA and other transit districts in the Basin become "smart buyers" who know what specifications should be required when purchasing zero-emission buses.
The complete two-phase work program proposed by the FCBC
has been designed to result in a fully packaged fuel cell powerplant integrated
into one or more prototype ATTBs that will be deployed in route service
by 1998. Major milestones for this proposed project are as follows:
Phase 1
Phase 2
AQMD's cost share will specifically be used to fund technical
tasks involving the modeling, design, and demonstration of the fuel cell
system. In addition, the proposed AQMD-LACMTA contract shall contain a
contingency that no AQMD funds can be expended until LACMTA has received
firm commitments for funding from each of the funding entities identified
in Table 1 below, for at least the amount listed.
This project is identified in the Technology Advancement
Plan for the Clean Fuels Program as Project MS-08, "Development and
Demonstration of a Fuel Cell-Powered Advanced Technology Transit Bus."
Immediate benefits of the proposed project include direct emissions reductions
and significant fuel economy improvements in one or more LACMTA transit
buses. From a broader perspective, this project can advance the potential
of fuel cells to become fuel-flexible, zero-emission powerplants of the
future for transit bus fleets throughout the Basin. Finally, commercialization
of the resulting fuel cell-powered ATTB could ultimately result in manufacturing
innovations and the creation of high-technology jobs in Southern California's
aerospace and transportation industries.
Sole Source Justification
Section II, Step 3. (C) of the Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure
identifies four provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified:
(1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for consultant, (2) delay would
result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available
from sole source, and (4) other circumstances exist identifying sole source
as in the best interests of the AQMD. This request for a sole-source award
is made under provision (4).
The proposed project involves a multifaceted coalition offering an established
team of funding organizations and highly capable technical contractors
having a unique linkage to the ATTB program. As detailed below, the FCBC
expects to raise at least $1 million in funding to cost share the proposed
project. This project presents a relatively low-risk opportunity for AQMD
to help expedite commercially viable zero-emission transit buses while
also facilitating job creation in the high-technology sector. LACMTA's
principal role in both the ATTB program and the FCBC will help ensure coordination
that is needed for successful development of prototype fuel cell-powered
transit buses.
Resource Impacts
The total cost of Phase 1 is estimated to be $1.35 million. Table 1
identifies the anticipated Phase 1 co-funding agencies and their respective
contributions. AQMD's proposed cost-share is $350,000, or 26% of the total
and shall be contingent on FCBC obtaining commitments for, at a minimum,
the co-funding amounts identified in Table 1. The FCBC is also investigating
potential private-enterprise sources of funding, and may expand the scope
of Phase 1 if such funds are procured.
|
Table 1: Anticipated Phase 1 Funding |
|
|
Organization |
Amount of Funding |
| LACMTA |
$ 100,000 |
| ISTEA-LACMTA |
$ 200,000 |
| AB 2766 Discretionary Fund |
$ 300,000 |
| AQMD |
$ 350,000 |
| County of Los Angeles |
$ 200,000 |
| City of Los Angeles |
$ 200,000 |
| Total Funding |
$1,350,000 |
Sufficient funds are available in FY 1996-1997 Budget.
BD13:7-96B.doc