South Coast Air Quality Management District

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on March 23, 2001. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the April and May Board meetings. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on April 27, 2001 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz was in attendance at AQMD headquarters. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee member Roy Wilson participated by video-teleconference. In the absence of Committee members William Burke, Jon Mikels and Norma Glover (who arrived later), and pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, adopted March 8, 1996, Committee Chair Hal Bernson appointed Board member Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta ad hoc member of the Technology Committee for the meeting of March 23, 2001 only. The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m.

Due to time constraints, Committee Chair Hal Bernson waived presentations from staff.

April Board Agenda Items

1. Issue RFP to Demonstrate Passive Particulate Trap Technologies on Existing Off-Road Heavy-Duty Construction Equipment Fueled by Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel - The contribution of heavy-duty diesel construction equipment to mobile source NOx and PM emissions inventory is projected to increase over other mobile sources in the near future. AQMD, together with CARB, recommend an RFP be issued soliciting proposals for the investigation of emission benefits and durability of passive particulate trap technologies in existing off-road heavy-duty construction equipment fueled by ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $800,000 demonstration shall not exceed $400,000. CARB will provide direct cash contributions of $300,000 as well as $100,000 of in-kind contributions. Additional cost-share are expected from particulate trap manufacturers. The County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles, Sukut Construction, and C. W. Poss will supply equipment. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
2. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development of Very Low-NO_x Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine - On July 21, 2000, the Board approved execution of a cost-shared contract for $1,330,996 with Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) to develop a very low NO_x heavy-duty natural-gas engine, funded with $830,966 from the Clean Fuels Fund and $500,000 from the CEC. CEC's contract was not executed until February 2001, thereby delaying the DDC contract. DDC has indicated an additional $500,000 is needed to expand the reliability testing and accelerate the commercialization schedule. This action is to recognize an additional $300,000 in co-funding from ARB and CEC, and an additional $200,000 from AQMD's Clean Fuel Funds. Funding will be incorporated into the contract between DDC and AQMD, resulting in a total contract of $1,830,996. DDC's cost-share is $1,627,184. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
3. Execute Contracts to Fund Marine Vessel Repower Projects under AES Settlement Allocation for AQIP - At the March 16, 2001 Board meeting, the Board approved $2 million from the AES settlement for pre-funding the AQIP. There is an immediate availability of very cost effective emission reductions from marine vessel projects which were not funded due to insufficient funds under the Carl Moyer Program for Marine Vessels. It is recommended that 13 such marine vessel projects be funded from the AQIP in an amount not to exceed $2 million, resulting in total NO_x reductions of 3,892 tons over 20 years.
   
   Dr. Liu indicated that this Board letter had undergone revisions subsequent to the version reviewed by Committee members, and outlined the revisions as follows:
   The AQMD recommends that 10 of the 12 previously unfunded marine vessel projects and an additional three marine vessel projects be funded from the AQIP for an amount of $2 million, resulting in total NO_x reductions of 3,892 tons over 20 years.
   
   Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.

May Board Agenda Items

4. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development and Demonstration of Automated En-route Charging System for Heavy Duty Transit Electric Vehicles - One of the major objectives for the advancement of battery electric vehicles is increasing their range. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, on behalf of a public/private partnership with Caruso Affiliated Holdings, has proposed to demonstrate for the first time an automated, hands-off en-route charging system in an electric trolley. This will be the first demonstration of an automated, no-contact, drive-over charging system for a heavy-duty vehicle. The proposed electric trolley system is part of a $90 million development at the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. The total cost of the electric trolley demonstration is approximately $1.8 million. The AQMD cost share for the automated charging system and vehicle components shall not exceed $310,000. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
5. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Educational Outreach Program of Sunline Transit Agency - Sunline Transit is one of the first transit agencies in the country to convert all of its transit buses to run on clean fuels, primarily natural gas. Sunline is now going a step further; it is acquiring very low emitting buses and zero-emitting fuel cell buses that run on hydrogen. To refuel these buses, Sunline has installed a hydrogen refueling station with onsite hydrogen production - using natural gas reforming, and water electrolysis using solar energy. Sunline's efforts have drawn worldwide attention and public interest. Sunline plans to expand its formal public education and outreach efforts on clean fuel transportation. Staff recommends that AQMD cosponsor this project in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
6. Execute Contract to Renew AQMD’s Participation in California Fuel Cell Partnership for Calendar Year 2001 - On March 17, 2000, the Board approved joining the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) as a full member. The CaFCP is a collaborative group composed of 18 members of government agencies, automobile manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and fuel cell technology providers. Their primary focus is to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles and increase public awareness of these vehicles. Its key achievement last year was the opening and dedication of the CaFCP facility in West Sacramento, where several automakers displayed fuel cell vehicles and the planning of the deployment of a fleet of fuel cell buses. Staff recommends renewing AQMD’s participation in the CaFCP in an amount not to exceed $88,000 for calendar year 2001. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
7. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Fuel Cell Bus with Major Bus Manufacturer - ThunderPower LLC, a consortium of a major bus manufacturer, (Thor Industries), major fuel cell maker International Fuel Cells, Inc, (IFC), and ISE Research, proposes to develop and demonstrate a fuel cell bus. ISE Research, will develop a hydrogen fuel cell bus by integrating a 40 kW PEM fuel stack from IFC into a 30-foot bus built by El Dorado National, a Thor subsidiary. It will be tested and demonstrated in fleets in mid-2002. If prototypes show potential for commercial success, Thor plans to mass produce these buses in its Chino facility in the Basin. Staff recommends AQMD cosponsor this project in an amount not to exceed $350,000. Total project cost is $2.16 million. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection.
   
   
8. Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development and Demonstration of Grid-Rechargeable Hybrid-Electric Utility Service Truck and Mobile Electric Power Supply - Utility service trucks with aerial lifts are widely used for service of elevated wiring, and are powered by large heavy-duty diesel engines. AQMD, in conjunction with Southern California Edison, Electric Power Research Institute, Capstone Turbine Corporation, Enova Systems, and Altec Industries, Inc., will develop and demonstrate a grid-rechargeable hybrid-electric utility service truck that will utilize a low-NOx emitting Capstone microturbine to charge the battery pack. The use of hybrid-electric vehicles powered with microturbines on a commercial scale may lead to substantial reduction in air pollutants and toxic emissions from on-road heavy-duty vehicles. Staff recommends AQMD’s participation in this contract with co-funding of $266,348. Total funding for this project is $532,695. Chair Bernson polled the Committee for objections and, hearing none, declared the item approved without objection, with one abstention from Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta.
   
   
9. Other Business - Chair Bernson asked the Committee to consider a consent calendar format for this Committee and to come to the next meeting with a decision.
   
   
10. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Attachment A - Attendance

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Attachment A - Attendance

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