BOARD MEETING DATE: May 3, 2002
AGENDA NO. 3

Issue RFP for Development of Hydrogen Fueling Station Template

SYNOPSIS:

At its October 2001 Meeting, the Board authorized the Executive Officer to issue an RFP for the development of a hydrogen fueling station template. The RFP solicits proposals for templates including equipment specifications, layout, construction guidance and an optimization study for a future hydrogen fueling network within the SCAB. Project funding will not exceed $75,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 22, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of RFP #P2002-27 to solicit proposals for development of a hydrogen fueling station template, and an optimization study for siting a future hydrogen fueling network in the South Coast Air Basin, in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

At its July 2001 meeting, the Board directed staff to conduct a field evaluation and assessment of possible enhancements that could enable natural gas fueling stations to be compatible for future hydrogen refueling. In addition, the Board requested that a status report be provided to the Board’s Technology Committee, as well as a final report to the full Board by the August 17, 2001 meeting. At that meeting, the Board requested staff obtain more direct input from compressor manufacturers. At its October 2001 meeting, the Board received a report summarizing compressor manufacturer cost quotes as well as a summary of the manufacturer statements regarding the technical and economic issues surrounding compression of natural gas and hydrogen by the same compressor. At that same meeting, the Board also approved the issuance of an RFP for development of a hydrogen fueling station template provided staff conduct an extensive literature search to determine if that work had been done by others.

A thorough literature search has been completed. Forty articles from technical journals, association papers, government agencies and conferences have been identified as potentially pertaining to hydrogen refueling. None of the articles reviewed revealed any work being conducted by others involving the type of hydrogen fueling station template being contemplated through the proposed RFP. According to the body of literature reviewed, there are a large number of unresolved technical and safety issues surrounding hydrogen fueling of vehicles and that any attempts to help resolve these issues are on the cutting edge of technology.

Proposal

Staff believes that the AQMD should be pro-active in helping to establish a hydrogen fueling network as soon as practicable. Staff has already pre-planned for a future installation of various hydrogen fueling equipment at the AQMD’s fueling facility on a stand-alone basis.

Staff believes it is prudent to support the development of a Basin-wide hydrogen fueling network in the near term to ensure a smooth transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as well as various hydrogen/CNG fuel mixtures for other mobile applications in the South Coast Air Basin. To that end, staff recommends the Board initiate a broad spectrum of support for such a hydrogen fueling infrastructure and issue an RFP for the development of a hydrogen fueling station template. The template would include equipment specifications, equipment and station layout, construction guidance with respect to both present and future codes and standards, and an optimization study for siting a future hydrogen fueling network in the South Coast Air Basin, in an amount not to exceed $75,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The templates will be developed for stand-alone H2 stations, CNG/H2 stations and gasoline/H2 stations.

Benefits to AQMD

AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in funding the development and demonstration of low emission, alternative fuel technologies within its Technology Advancement Office. The AQMD has also supported a number of activities directed to commercialization of low-emission alternative fuel technologies. The AQMP for the South Coast Air Basin states that motor vehicles are the most significant source of air toxic and criteria pollutant emissions in the region. The use of hydrogen fuel or mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas (hythane) provides a viable, environmentally friendly option for the future. Efforts to facilitate hydrogen fueling infrastructure can provide long-term environmental benefits as well as help in meeting the requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be published in the following publications:

Additionally, potential bidders will be notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Bid Evaluation

Proposals received will be evaluated by a diverse, technically qualified panel in accordance with criteria contained in the RFP.

Resource Impacts

Funding for the RFP, in the amount of $75,000 will come from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Attachment

RFP #P2002-27 - Development of a Hydrogen Fueling Station Template

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