PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

SYNOPSIS:

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in conjunction with the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), has submitted a proposal to further develop its first-generation direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). In Phase 1, the project team will design, fabricate, and test a 1 kW DMFC stack and system, with the potential to install it in a vehicle in subsequent phases. Total cost of Phase 1 is approximately $638,500, of which AQMD will provide $338,500 and ARB will provide $300,000. AQMD shall be the lead funding agency and act as a pass-through for ARB funds. Cal Tech will be the prime contractor on behalf of JPL.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 26, 1997, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $300,000 in revenue from the ARB.

2. Appropriate $300,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account of the Technology Advancement office.

3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the ARB to co-sponsor development of a direct methanol fuel cell for an amount not to exceed $300,000, to be passed through to the California Institute of Technology

4. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the California Institute of Technology to develop a direct methanol fuel cell for a total not to exceed $638,500.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

The AQMP anticipates the commercialization and rapid deployment of ZEVs and "equivalent" ZEVs (EZEVs) over the next decade. Fuel cells are emerging as leading technologies to power ZEVs and EZEVs. These ultra-clean electrochemical engines can provide excellent performance and range along with fast refueling for vehicles, and have potential to work in virtually every mobile and stationary application currently powered by internal combustion engines. Consequently, AQMD’s technology advancement program has been a world leader in supporting development and demonstration of fuel cell technologies.

Today there are approximately a dozen prototype fuel cell vehicles in the entire world, most of which use either a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or a phosphoric acid fuel cell. Both technologies generate electricity and water through the chemical reaction of hydrogen with oxygen. Hydrogen for this reaction must either be stored on board the vehicle or chemically reformed on board from a hydrogen-rich fuel such as methanol. Both technological approaches have their advantages but also result in engineering compromises due to complex tradeoffs in system efficiency, weight, cost, performance, etc.

A third, less-developed type of fuel cell technology does not require hydrogen for the fuel cell reaction, but instead "directly" converts methanol and oxygen into electrical power. Invented in 1991 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Division of the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech) and known as the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), this technology offers numerous potential advantages regarding reduced complexity and manufacturing costs for fuel cell vehicles. Recent advancements with DMFC technology accomplished by JPL and its partners on a small scale have shown strong prospects for successfully scaling up the technology into a larger stack and, if successful, installing it into a vehicle for demonstration.

Under the auspices of Cal Tech, JPL has submitted a proposal to AQMD and ARB that offers a unique opportunity to cost share a project on the cutting edge of zero-emission power-generation technology.

Proposal

Cal Tech’s proposed project involves a Phase 1 effort to further develop and scale up JPL’s DMFC technology and, if successful, demonstrate it in a vehicle application in subsequent phases. Only Phase 1 is recommended for funding at this time. The objective of Phase 1 will be to demonstrate the capability of an engineering model 1 kW DMFC system within approximately 12 months. Specific tasks for Phase 1 are expected to include the following: design of a scaled-up DMFC stack capable of providing 1 kW on a systems basis; assembly of short stacks to evaluate preliminary performance; assembly of a test stand to accommodate the 1 kW stack testing; fabrication of components for the 1 kW stack; assembly and testing of the 1 kW stack; selection, procurement and evaluation of ancillary components for the 1 kW system; assembly of a system test stand to accommodate the 1 kW system; and integration of the system components and stack for a demonstration at bench level.

If Phase 1 is successful, the feasibility of a second phase will be explored, in which larger and improved stacks would be fabricated for potential use in a suitable small demonstration vehicle.

This project is identified in the Fiscal Year 1997-98 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan for the Clean Fuels Program under proposed project 97M3-1, Development and Demonstration of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell. Expected near-term benefits include the demonstration of a new type of zero-emission power plant, which, over the longer term, could help foster wide-scale implementation of zero-emission fuel cell vehicles in the Basin. The technology to be further developed in this project could lead to numerous other environmental benefits, including reduced global-warming impacts and water pollution. Finally, it could result in manufacturing innovations for fuel cells and the creation of high-technology jobs in Southern California.

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 sole-source award is made under provision #4.

Identifying Cal Tech as the sole source for the proposed project is in the best interests of the AQMD. The project as proposed by Cal Tech addresses an important need of the AQMP and is technically and fiscally unique. Cal Tech’s affiliate JPL, which will act as the prime technical subcontractor, invented this technology in conjunction with USC and is believed to be the world’s most advanced developer of DMFCs. Cal Tech and USC hold a joint patent for the technology developed at JPL, and have licensed the rights to DTI Energy, Inc., which is a member of the Technology Affiliates program at JPL. ARB strongly supports DMFC technology for its potential to expedite the commercial viability of fuel cell-powered ZEVs and has identified the Cal Tech / JPL project as the most promising prospect. The California Energy Commission supports the project for its potential to diversify fuels in the transportation sector.

Resource Impacts

The total cost of Phase 1 is estimated to be $638,500, of which AQMD will provide $338,500 and ARB will provide $300,000. A supplemental notice for this budget appropriation was duly published. AQMD will assume the role of lead agency and accept ARB’s cost share as a pass through. Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 1997-98 budget to fund this project. Any future funding recommendations will be contingent on the success of Phase 1.

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