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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts with College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT)

SYNOPSIS:

In the FY 1997-98 Budget, $700,000 is identified for CE-CERT to conduct several technology advancement projects. Staff have now identified three specific projects to carry out this budget item: (1) Development of a ULEV Ethanol-Fueled Vehicle; (2) Effects of Alternative Diesel Fuel Formulation on Exhaust Emission Rates and Reactivity; and (3) Analysis of the Effectiveness of On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD II).

COMMITTEE:

Technology, February 27, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute contracts with CE-CERT to conduct projects in demonstration and testing of advanced air pollution control technologies and cleaner burning fuels in an amount not to exceed $650,637.

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

Background

The Board established the AQMD's Technology Advancement (TA) program in 1988 to help meet the goals of the AQMP for implementation of progressively lower emitting technologies and fuels. A significant ingredient in the success of this program has been the contribution made by various academic institutions within the South Coast Air Basin. Local universities offer the TA program access to a wealth of technical expertise and resources regarding low-emission technologies. At the same time, AQMD support for universities allows them to better provide hands-on training and experience for tomorrow's professionals in such essential fields as emissions control, environmental engineering, automotive mechanics, and electrochemistry.

In 1991 the University of California, Riverside (UCR) established CE-CERT to facilitate more rapid transfer of air pollution control technologies from research and development to commercial implementation. CE-CERT was also established to provide independent testing for emerging low- and zero-emission technologies. A Board of Advisors made up of corporate, university, and regulatory agency representatives was established to oversee CE-CERT's technical agenda, which is focused primarily on technologies identified in the AQMP as essential to attainment of ambient air quality standards. During the last seven years, the AQMD has worked closely with CE-CERT in the research, development, demonstration, and testing of advanced air pollution control technologies and cleaner burning fuels. In the FY 1997-98 Budget, $700,000 has been identified as a contract sub-category for CE-CERT to conduct such projects. This action is to award the FY 1997-98 funding to conduct new projects.

Proposals

1. Development of a ULEV Ethanol-Fueled Vehicle

The 1998 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge competition is providing fourteen universities in North America with new Chevrolet Malibu sedans, which students will convert to operate on dedicated E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). TEAM CE-CERT, a student organization, is the only California representative selected to participate in this competition. The students with the help of CE-CERT staff will design and implement engine and exhaust system modifications for operation on E-85. Emissions, fuel economy, acceleration, and other performance characteristics will be optimized where possible, and emission tests will be conducted prior to, and following the modifications to evaluate the effectiveness of the conversion. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $50,681

2. Effects of Alternative Diesel Fuel Formulation on Exhaust Emission Rates and Reactivity

Effective October 1, 1993, the ARB mandated new diesel fuel regulations. Subsequent to this ruling the ARB has allowed fuel producers the option of producing a less costly alternative diesel fuel with higher aromatic content, if equivalent emission reductions can be demonstrated. In addition, there have been substantial efforts to develop other alternative diesel fuels containing oxygenates. In this project, CE-CERT will provide detailed information to assess the environmental impact of alternative diesel fuel use. CE-CERT has also agreed, without any additional costs, to analyze other alternative fuels including DME, Fischer-Tropsch, etc. California reformulated diesel fuel and primary candidate alternative diesel fuels will be identified by consultation with the Department of Energy. Emission studies will then be performed with four light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles operating on these fuels. Diesel vehicles will be chosen to represent a cross-section of engine technologies and will include, if possible, a new direct injection light-duty engine. Speciation studies will be performed on both gaseous and particulate phases and will be analyzed to assess air toxics, reactivity and ozone forming potential, and potential effects on secondary aerosol formation. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $258,700.

3. Analysis of the Effectiveness of On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD II)

OBD II systems are designed to notify the operator of a vehicle about the occurrence of an emission related malfunction so that appropriate repairs can be made. The effectiveness of OBD II system is critical in the early detection of vehicle malfunctions, and there is an urgent need for an assessment of their performance on conventional and alternative fueled vehicles. In this project, CE-CERT will test a total of fifty vehicles with OBD II malfunctions before and after repair to determine whether the systems correctly identify emission related problems and whether the repairs are effective. In addition, OBD II malfunctions will be induced to see if the system detects these malfunctions. The vehicles to be tested in this project will be recruited in collaboration with automobile manufacturers, dealers, and fleet operators in Southern California. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $341,256.

These proposed projects are included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved by the Board on September 12, 1997, as part of Project 97M1-3, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Engine Technologies for On-Road Applications" and Project 97T3-1, "Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development and Demonstration". The major benefits of these projects include the evaluation of on-road emission changes due to alternative fuels, and advanced control technologies.

Sole Source Justification

Section VII, (B0(2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Office require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d.(8) research and development efforts with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations.

The University of California, Riverside's CE-CERT brings together a critical mass of experience from academia, industry, and government agencies to accomplish the stated objectives of the proposed projects. CE-CERT serves a unique role in the Basin as an independent and objective scientific body capable of providing in-depth and valid evaluations of new environmental regulations and technologies. It has established a broad-based research agenda with unique facilities, capabilities, and resources that are requisite and directly applicable for completion of the proposed scope of work. CE-CERT's established areas of expertise and available resources that directly relate to the proposed work include: vehicle emissions research and testing, advanced vehicle engineering, renewable fuels and energy engineering, transportation systems research, and environmental modeling. In addition, the Board has allocated a total sum of $700,000 in FY 97-98 Budget for contracts to be awarded to CE-CERT. Staff believes that these broad-based capabilities and resources, uniquely offered by an in-Basin university having a long history of academic excellence in the field of air pollution control, justify AQMD funding for the specified contracts with CE-CERT.

CE-CERT encourages the participation of, and uses as subcontractors, small businesses, and minority-, disabled veteran-, and women-owned business enterprises in its programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and compliance with contract requirements and applicable laws.

Resource Impacts

Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed contracts is $650,637. The specific breakdown of proposed AQMD funding by project is as follows:

Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1997-98 Budget.

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