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REPORT:

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Technology Committee met on December 11, 1997. Major items discussed included feature presentations on gaseous fuel storage and the U.C. Irvine Fuel Cell Center; updates and reports on legislation, TAO Clean Fuels Program reauthorization and monthly reports on Environmental Justice Initiatives #2, 7, 8, and 10. Reports were also given on the Health Effects/Diesel Conference of November 20 and 21, 1997, and the Technology Symposium of December 4 and 5, 1997. Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the January Board Meeting were reviewed. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided, together with an attendance roster. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on January 16, 1998, at 11:30 a.m.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Receive and file this report.

Wayne H. Nastri, Chairman
Technology Committee

Attendance: Present were Committee Chairman Wayne Nastri, Committee Vice Chair Leonard Paulitz, and Committee members Norma Glover and Jon Mikels. Other attendees are shown on Attachment A.

Technology Advancement Feature Presentations

Presentation on Gaseous Fuel Storage - Ranji George of Technology Advancement presented an overview of gaseous fuel storage, reviewing benefits, drawbacks, and storage options for both compressed and liquefied gases.

Presentation on U.C. Irvine Fuel Cell Center - Jack Brouwer, Associate Director of the University of California, Irvine’s Fuel Cell Center, presented an overview of the Center, its mission and the various public/private partners that are helping to fund the Center. Dr. Brouwer indicated an interest to work closely with the AQMD in completing the Center and implementing its activities.

Updates and Reports

Legislative Update - Lupe Valdez, DEO of Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance, reviewed the December 2, 1997 Town Hall meeting held by Assemblywoman Deborah Bowen. Paul Wuebben, Clean Fuels Officer, reviewed the November 21, 1997 hearing on MTBE also held by Assemblywoman Bowen.

TAO Clean Fuels Program Reauthorization - Lupe Valdez, DEO of Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance, indicated that they are working to solidify opportunities for authorship of the Clean Fuels Reauthorization bill.

Monthly Report on Environmental Justice Initiatives

Initiative #2 - Elaine Chang, Director of Planning and Policy, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #2, Ambient Toxic Monitoring. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached as Attachment B.

Initiative #7 - Andy Abele of Technology Advancement presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #7, Cleanup Incentives for Diesel. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment C. Vice Chair Norma Glover requested staff to set up a meeting with Orange County Transit Authority so she and Board Member Wayne Nastri can meet with OCTA staff to discuss clean fuel issues.

Initiative #8 - Carol Coy, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer Stationary Source Compliance, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #8, Advanced Field Inspection Technology. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment D. John Billheimer of the Small Business Coalition requested staff to include engineering clarification in their written report.

Initiative #10 - Jill Whynot, Planning and Rules Manager, Stationary Source Compliance,, presented a status report on Environmental Justice Initiative #10, Rules 1401 and 1402. A monthly status report was handed out and is attached hereto as Attachment E.

Health Effects/Diesel Conference - November 20 & 21, 1997 - Chung Liu, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, Technology Advancement, briefed the Committee on the Health Effects/Diesel Conference held November 20 and 21, 1997.

Technology Symposium - December 4 & 5, 1997 - Jon Leonard of Technology Advancement briefed the Committee on the Technology Symposium held on December 4 and 5, 1997.

January Board Agenda Items

1. Issue RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Zero-Emission and Near-Zero Emission Technologies for Utility and Lawn and Garden Equipment Used in Commercial Applications; and Low-Emission, Alternative Fuel and Zero-Emission Technologies for Off-Road Equipment - Internal combustion engines used to power utility and lawn and garden equipment and off-road equipment are significant sources of emissions in the Basin. This action is to issue an RFP to develop and demonstrate zero-emission technologies for utility and lawn and garden equipment used in commercial applications; and low-emission, alternative fuel and zero-emission technologies for off-road equipment. AQMD’s portion of the $700,000 utility and lawn and garden project is $350,000. AQMD’s portion of the $1,200,000 off-road equipment project is $600,000. Multiple awards may result from this RFP. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s
   recommendation..

2. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Development and Demonstration of Advanced Hydrogen Fuel Storage System Using Chemical Hydride Slurry System - Tecogen has proposed to develop an advanced hydrogen fuel storage system for a 50kW fuel cell vehicle (FCV) application using a chemical hydride slurry system. Current pure hydrogen storage tanks are either too voluminous or too heavy. Reforming liquid fuels to produce hydrogen, with high enough purity (99.99%) for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, has proven to be a formidable challenge. This project has the potential to overcome these limitations. The total cost of this project is $1.22 million, cost-shared by the Department of Energy ($913,500), Tecogen ($57,000), with in-kind technical support from Fort Motor Co., Air Products, and Morton International. The proposed AQMD cost-share is $250,000. The Committee directed that staff provide monthly updates on this project and report back to them if this project is projected to go into Phase II. The Committee reviewed the information presented and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Production of an Educational Video Film on Renewable Energy - Hydrogen 2000 Inc. has proposed to produce two educational video films on "Renewable Power: Earth’s Clean Energy Destiny." A 25 minute film will be produced for schools and colleges, while a shorter, condensed 6 minute film will be produced for use at conferences and seminars. These films would cover renewable energy technologies that are expected to play an important role in the
   recently deregulated electricity market: solar, wind, hydro, biomass and hydrogen. Total cost of this project is $118,000. The project is cosponsored by DOE ($60,000), Engineering Advancement Association of Japan ($23,000) and Hydrogen 2000 (in-kind cost-share, in terms of video-footage from previous projects). The proposed AQMD cost-share is $35,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

4. Execute Contract to Expand Internet On-Line Mapping of Clean Fuel Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure - With the increasing number of in-use alternative fuel vehicles, there is a need to provide current and prospective users of these vehicles with convenient and up-to-date information on how to access specific refueling and recharging locations. CALSTART has proposed to update their Internet on-line web site, which provides detailed maps and access information on such sites, to add the latest information on natural gas, methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen refueling and electric vehicle recharging. The proposed effort includes an outreach program to inform users, auto dealerships and other interested parties about the web site, as well as provide printed material through an on-demand fax system. The proposed AQMD cost of this contract is $97,850. The Committee requested quantification of all alternative fuel vehicles in the Basin. The Committee reviewed the information presented and referred this item back to staff. Staff was instructed to explore the potential for cost sharing, competitive bids and developing this service in-house.

5. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Evaluation of Alternative Specifications to Proposed ARB Standards for Motor Vehicle Grade Liquefied Petroleum Gas - Because of industry concerns regarding ability to comply with proposed standards for motor vehicle grade liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ARB has postponed promulgation of the standards pending evaluation of alternative LPG formulations. An LPG Task Force has been formed by the ARB and includes the Western Propane Gas Association, National Propane Gas Association, ARCO, Shell, Engine Manufacturers Association, Cummins, Ford Motor Company and the AQMD. This Task Force has developed a test protocol to evaluate alternative fuel formulations to determine their relative impact on engine performance, durability and emission levels. The total cost of the proposed evaluation project is approximately $500,000, with AQMD cost-share not to exceed $100,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

6. Execute Contract to Cost-Share Recommended Best Practices for Natural Gas Fuel System Design and Integration - The Gas Research Institute (GRI) is sponsoring a project to develop recommended best practices for natural gas fuel system design and integration for medium-duty trucks and transit and school buses. GRI has requested AQMD participation to expand that effort to include school buses and additional medium-duty truck platforms and applications. Total cost of the entire scope of work is $795,508, with AQMD support not to exceed $150,000. The Committee reviewed the information presented, and noted their approval of staff’s recommendation.

Other Business - There was no other business.

Public Comment Period - Public comment has been included under individual topic headings.

Attachments

Attachment A - Attendance

Attachment B - Environmental Initiative # 2 Status Report

Attachment C - Environmental Initiative # 7 Status Report

Attachment D - Environmental Initiative # 8 Status Report

Attachment E - Environmental Initiative #10 Status Report

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Attachment A - Attendance

Carolyn Syms Luna AQMD Board Assistant
Daniela Fernandez AQMD Board Assistant
Peter Whittingham Assistant to Supervisor Antonovich
Barry Wallerstein, Acting EO AQMD
Lupe Valdez, DEO Public Affairs &
Local Government Assistance AQMD
Carol Coy, ADEO Major Sources AQMD
Jack Broadbent, ADEO Stationary Source Compliance AQMD
Chung Liu, ADEO Technology Advancement AQMD
Elaine Chang, Planning, Transportation and Information Management AQMD
Jill Whynot, Stationary Source Compliance AQMD
Bill Wong, District Counsel’s Office AQMD
Nancy Covey, Finance AQMD
Sam Atwood, Public Affairs AQMD
Rudy Eden, Technical Support Services AQMD
Andy Abele, Technology Advancement AQMD
Jon Leonard, Technology Advancement AQMD
Paul Wuebben, Technology Advancement AQMD
Ranji George, Technology Advancement AQMD
Fred Minassian, Technology Advancement AQMD
Cindy Sullivan, Technology Advancement AQMD
Robert Pease, Technology Advancement AQMD
Drue Ramirez, Technology Advancement AQMD
Dory Kilgour, Technology Advancement AQMD
John Holmes, ARB ARB
Jack Brouwer UCI
David Brandmeyer Battelle
Jeff Holland Hydrogen 200
Robert Zweig Clean Air Now
Frederick Becket Thermo Power Corp.
John Billheimer Small Business Coalition
John Harper Small Business Coalition

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