South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract to Cost Share Truck Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit Development, Demonstration, and Evaluation Project

SYNOPSIS:

Idling truck engines are used to provide electrical power for non-driving operations. Most trucks use diesel-fueled main engines for this purpose, and some trucks use auxiliary power units (APUs). Engine idling and APUs produce significant amounts of NOx, PM, toxic, and greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel cell APUs are energy efficient and clean sources of electrical energy, and are viable alternatives for main engine idling and diesel-fueled APUs. Staff proposes to award a contract to University of California, Davis, in an amount not to exceed $300,000 to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate fuel cell APUs. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $1.2 million with cost sharing from University of California, Davis, DOE, and industry.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, June 28, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the University of California, Davis, in an amount not to exceed $300,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate fuel cell truck auxiliary power units (APUs).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In 1988, the AQMD's Governing Board adopted a Clean Fuels Program to promote the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean-fuel technologies. The Technology Advancement Office (TAO) was subsequently formed to administer and manage this Clean Fuels Program. TAO programs target advanced clean air technologies to meet AQMP objectives.

Diesel-fueled truck engine idling is used to provide non-driving electrical energy for refrigeration, cab power for heaters and air conditioners, and hotelling operations. The idling of diesel truck main engines is only 5 to 10% efficient and produce significant emissions of NOx, PM, toxics, and greenhouse gases. Of the approximately 400,000 line-haul trucks in the U.S., many idle between 20 to 40% of total engine run time. It is estimated that truck engine idling consumes between 840 million to two billion gallons of diesel fuel annually.

Diesel-powered APUs are commercially available as an alternative to main engine idling. However, currently available APUs have not gained significant market acceptance, and it is estimated that the current market penetration of APUs is less than 5%. The reasons for low market penetration of APUs is unclear, but some reports indicate that diesel-fueled APUs are heavy, fuel inefficient, noisy, and generate significant amounts of pollution.

Fuel cell APUs are viable alternatives and could be the first widespread use of fuel cells in the transportation industry. Non-driving power requirements can be categorized based on trucking operation and APU components, and this determines the power output requirement. For a typical Class 8 truck this power requirement is in the range of 5 to 25 kW. Fuel cell APUs can be used to replace main engine idling and the use of diesel-fueled APUs resulting in significant fuel savings and almost zero emissions.

Proposal

Staff recommends that a contract be awarded to the University of California, Davis, in an amount not to exceed $300,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate fuel cell truck APUs. It is expected that the total project cost will be approximately $1.2 million with cost sharing from University of California, Davis, CARB, DOE, Carrier, and the American Trucking Association.

The work will focus on APUs for Class 8 trucks. The approach of this project will be to start with hydrogen as fuel then use propane as an intermediate fuel, and then use diesel oil. The ultimate objective of future work will be to develop a truck APU powered by alternative fuels. For these different types of fuel, both proton exchange membrane (PEM) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) will be evaluated. The project will also focus on reformer technology. It is estimated that the entire project will be completed in approximately three years.

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. The above project will demonstrate the technological feasibility of low emission fuel cell APUs that are significantly more energy efficient than truck engine idling and diesel-fueled APUs. Both main engine idling and diesel-fueled APUs produce significant quantities of NOx, PM, hydrocarbon, toxic, and greenhouse gas emissions. Eventually, if this pilot concept is commercially successful, this technology will substantially reduce emissions from idling diesel-fueled truck engines and APUs.

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.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest 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, Davis has demonstrated expertise in the area of fuel cell research, development and demonstration activities, especially in the area of mobile sources, at its Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis). UC Davis has worked on fuel cell projects with CARB, DOE, industry, and collaborates with other academic institutions. In the area of fuel cell APUs for mobile sources, ITS-Davis holds a national leadership position, and has completed three years of research in this area. The work began with cost-benefit analyses for USDOT (Advanced Vehicle Program) under subcontract from Freightliner. Then ITS-Davis began two projects related to FC APU feasibility: 1) a USDOE project under subcontract from TIAX (formerly AD Little), and 2) supported by USEPA on emissions measurements. The only five papers published on this topic come from ITS-Davis, appearing in Transportation Research, Part D and the Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association. UC Davis has secured written in-kind industry commitments from Carrier Transicold and Freightliner (including truck donation) of over $300,000. The AQMD contribution of $300,000 to this project is cost-shared at a ratio of 1:3 for a total project cost of $1.2 million.

Resource Impacts

The proposed AQMD cost sharing of $300,000 will be provided from the Clean Fuels Program funds. Cost sharing from the University of California, Davis, CARB, DOE, Carrier, and the American Trucking Association will provide the additional funding for a total project cost of approximately $1.2 million.

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