BOARD MEETING DATE: August 6, 2004
AGENDA NO. 32

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held July 13-14, 2004.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, July 23, 2004, Reviewed

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.

Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
July 13-14, 2004

The Fairmont Waterfront
900 Canada Place Way
Vancouver, BC V6C3L5
 

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• Status reports were provided regarding the Canadian Hydrogen Highway project, the U.S. DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell program, and the California Hydrogen Highway network. On July 9, 2004, CaFCP provided additional input to CalEPA regarding strategy for locating and networking hydrogen stations, planning to harmonize codes and standards, and public policy strategy to support industry. Many CaFCP members are also directly represented on the Panels and Topic teams helping CalEPA develop the California Hydrogen Highway network.
• A strategy session was held regarding liability and insurance for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles where invited experts presented information about key legal issues to consider in order to minimize risk and enhance insurability.
• The CaFCP Steering team approved addition of the National Automotive Center (NAC) as a full (but non-voting) member, and UC Davis as an Associate member.
• A status report regarding the West Sacramento hydrogen fueling agreement was provided and the existing agreement was extended.
• The Japanese Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration project (JHFC) requested to share safety learnings with CaFCP. JHFC has 22 members (energy and automotive); six of which are common with CaFCP. The Steering team approved sharing process for CaFCP staff to share safety lessons learned and best practices with the approval of the CaFCP members involved.
• The Safety team reported an incident at Santa Clara VTA, in which a shield between a pressure transducer and supply line failed in response to "pumping action" of the system which led to equipment shut down and component replacement. Several automakers have been concerned about potential failures of pressure transducers (supplied by Texas Instruments) in their fuel cell vehicles. The concern was based upon metal embrittlement as indicated in materials testing, but further analysis with the actual transducers indicated O-ring failure as the root cause. The Santa Clara bus and some buses in the CUTE European Bus demonstration could have also been affected.
• BKI will contract with Quong & Associates to operate the hydrogen station testing apparatus (STA). This project was previously approved for $223,000, and the Steering team agreed to amend amount to provide up to $245,000 to cover additional liability insurance and upfront costs.
• The Steering team agreed to maintain the status quo and will not proceed with forming a legal entity at this time.
• The proposed Contracting Procedures were approved which require Steering team review of contracts greater than $10,000, define conflicts of interest to be avoided, and describe competitive procedures and circumstances when sole source contracts may be approved.
• Upcoming activities include supporting the AQMD Hydrogen conference August 16-17, and planning for a Community Workshop on September 16 at AQMD prior to Road Rally III from L.A. to San Diego September 17-19.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for October 19-20 in Sacramento.

Additional information about the California Fuel Cell Partnership can be found at http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org.

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