South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development and Demonstration of Grid-Rechargeable Hybrid-Electric Utility Service Truck and Mobile Electric Power Supply

SYNOPSIS:

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.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 23, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Southern California Edison to cost-share the development of a hybrid-electric (HE) utility service truck in an amount not to exceed $266,348 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The 2001 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan for the Clean Fuels Program includes Proposed Project 2001CFM5-5 - Demonstration of Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which calls for significant emission reductions through the use of hybrid-electric (HE) technology with performance comparable to conventional, diesel-fueled vehicles. The AQMP calls for the accelerated introduction of both light- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles as an air quality attainment strategy. In support of this, ARB regulations governing new-vehicle major manufacturers require the production of ZEVs for sale in California. As an interim step to light- and heavy-duty ZEVs, most auto manufacturers are focussing their efforts on HEVs that use a fuel-powered generator to provide a charge to the battery pack, thereby increasing overall vehicle range and fuel efficiency. To date, most of the effort has been on light-duty HEVs, which has resulted in commercialization by Toyota and Honda, with additional manufacturers ready to introduce HEVs into the market. Recently, efforts have increased on the development of grid-rechargeable light-duty and heavy-duty HEVs. Furthermore, gas-powered microturbines have been used as an alternative for diesel-powered engines for heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. Recently, the ARB certified the Capstone liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/propane-powered microturbine for heavy-duty engine uses, and found that the emissions are 75% lower than traditional diesel-powered engines, and already exceed the 2004 emission regulations for heavy-duty engines by 60%. This proposal will develop and demonstrate the first grid-rechargeable HEV utility service truck using an LPG-microturbine-powered electrical generator.

Proposal

SCE will develop a grid-rechargeable HE converted standard utility lift truck. The truck will utilize an LPG turbine-powered electrical generator as the prime mover and power source in conjunction with a traction battery. The battery will also provide power for an electro-hydraulic aerial lift and a mobile electric power distribution system when the vehicle is parked. Lastly, the truck will also be capable of supplying emergency power.

In order to complete this project, the contractor will develop performance and feature specifications of this HE utility service truck, conduct a conceptual design study for layout of components, and develop design criteria to specify components required to fit SCE's utility truck and battery pack. After completion of the design criteria, the contractor will acquire a standard truck from their fleet and prepare it for HE component installation by removing conventional components and fabricating components for the conversion. Upon acquiring the HE components, SCE will integrate them into the utility truck chassis.

After completion of the installation, SCE will conduct a system check to evaluate operation and performance of the HE system, develop test procedures to characterize the vehicle based on EV and field test experience, and conduct performance characterization tests, documenting performance of all vehicle systems in realistic applications. Lastly, SCE will produce a final report that will compare standard diesel utility truck performance characteristics with the HE utility truck, including fuel consumption and related emissions.

Benefits to AQMD

The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. This project will further develop technology for heavy-duty HEVs and is expected to reduce NOx and PM emissions well beyond those required under existing regulations from on-road heavy-duty engines.

Success of this project will result in the production of the first plug-in heavy-duty HEV utilizing a microturbine. If the hybrid system can be developed economically into a kit, this kit will be commercialized by Enova Systems and advocated by EPRI to OEMs for commercialization.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.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.c.: services available from only the sole source. Specifically, B.2.c.(1): The unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor/team.

Southern California Edison (SCE) has one of the largest fleets of utility service trucks in the Basin, and has been instrumental in the development of light-duty and heavy-duty EVs. More recently, they have worked with EPRI on the grid rechargeable (plug-in) and non-rechargeable HEVs. Additionally, SCE has one of the largest electric fleets in operation, and has over ten years experience in developing heavy-duty EVs.

Capstone Turbine Corporation is the leading developer of microturbines that are used for varied stationary and vehicular applications. Capstone has spent more than 10 years in research and has conducted over 350,000 hours of real-world testing on their commercial power products utilizing microturbine technology.

Enova Systems is a provider of total solutions for fully-integrated drive-train systems for components of EVs and HEVs, as well as fuel cell systems and energy management and storage systems. They have also extensive experience in high power charging stations and components for battery management, DC/DC power supply, power steering and air conditioning systems.

SCE is uniquely qualified to be the contractor for this project because of their extensive experience with the operations of utility service trucks. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LA DWP) is the only other operator of a large fleet of utility trucks. LA DWP is aware of this project, but is currently working on other hybrid-electric heavy-duty applications using the microturbine generators, and will monitor the progress of this project for future involvement.

For this project, SCE, Capstone Turbine Corporation, and Enova Systems have received the support of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Altec Industries, Inc., the primary manufacturer of vehicle-based aerial devices.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is approximately $532,695. The amount of AQMD co-funding shall not exceed $266,348 or 50% of the total project cost. Although this ratio is lower than the usual target for cost-sharing, significant benefits are expected from the successful completion of this demonstration project.

The cost-sharing is summarized in the table below
 

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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