BOARD MEETING DATE: June 3, 2005
AGENDA NO. 36

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Meeting

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held April 26-27, 2005.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 27, 2005, Reviewed

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached report.

Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta
SCAQMD Governing Board

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
April 26-27, 2004

CalEPA Building, Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
 

Steering Team

Mike Rosenburg, Ballard

Representatives Attending:

Mike Jones, BP Alan Lloyd, Analisa Bevan, CA Air Resources Board Ken Koyama, California Energy Commission John Brady, ChevronTexaco Jurgen Freidrich, DaimlerChrysler John Robbins, ExxonMobil Todd Suckow, Ford Alan Weverstad, General Motors Namhyuk Kim, Hyundai America Technical Center Ben Knight, Honda R&D America Taro Hagiwara, Nissan Motor Paul Skalny, National Automotive Center Phil Baxley, Shell Hydrogen B.V. Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, SCAQMD Kyo Hattori, Toyota Motor Corporation Pat Davis, U.S. DOE Tim Klein, U.S. DOT Chris Grundler, U.S. EPA Jan Van Dokkum, UTC Bernd Ruderisch, Volkswagen of America Inc.

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• Catherine Dunwoody, CaFCP Executive Director, summarized the highlights accomplished in the CaFCP 2005 program plan. New buses were deployed in operation at Santa Clara VTA in February. The ChevronTexaco hydrogen energy station next to the new Hyundai facility opened in Chino in February. The California hydrogen station and demonstration site map is available on the CaFCP website.
• Dr. Tama Copeman, representing Air Products and Chemicals, described their efforts to resolve intellectual property issues within the hydrogen fuel dispensing industry.
• Pat Davis, representing US DOE, provided an update on their hydrogen and fuel cells technology budget comparing 2004 and 2005 with request for 2006 and provided highlights of recent technology accomplishments.
• Dr. Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, representing Cal EPA, presented a status update on the California Hydrogen Highway network proposal presented to the Governor for review. SB 250 was introduced to help implement portions of the proposal to designate hydrogen as a transportation fuel in California and direct the CA Department of Weights and Measures to adopt interim hydrogen fuel specifications. Further discussion will continue as the program continues to evolve. CaFCP will work with Cal EPA to support the California Hydrogen Highway network. One example of cooperation is providing California hydrogen station map updates and links to related programs on the CaFCP website. Fueling accessibility is a high priority. The reconfigured CaFCP West Sacramento station owners group will arrange to provide hydrogen fueling to CaFCP member third parties soon.
• Adam Gromis, Program Specialist, presented the first quarterly report from the new DemoNet team which brings the CaFCP working group members together for monthly teleconferences to learn from member fleet demonstrations and fueling station activities. Members expressed support for ongoing internal sharing.
• Brad Smith, representing Shell Hydrogen, presented program learnings regarding the opening of their hydrogen fueling station in Washington. D.C. and the recent NHA conference. Liquid hydrogen is stored below grade and compressed hydrogen is stored above grade. They can dispense both liquid and 5000 psi gaseous hydrogen with "breakaway" hoses. This is a 24 hour "full-service" station co-located with an existing gasoline station and a new visitor center with "mini-mart." Payment is by credit card serving OEM vehicles approved by the local Fire Marshall. They have worked hard to build community support culminating in an "Earth Day" visit from the nearby elementary school.
• A panel with Ben Knight representing Honda, Brad Smith representing Shell Hydrogen, Gary Dixon representing AQMD, and Kent Harris representing PG&E provided insight on hydrogen station accessibility issues. The fully implemented commercial goal is to have multiple, well-maintained, public access, 24 hour stations with credit card self service comparable to existing retail gasoline stations; near-term stations have several variations of "public accessibility" A new "Accessibility" sub-team will be formed to continue discussions. Some members were interested in CA government addressing aftermarket conversion of vehicles to hydrogen fueling through DMV registration, through the CHP, or by working with local fire officials.
• Safety learnings regarding current Ride and Drive procedures were shared by CaFCP staff members Juan Contreras, Communications Specialist, and Monterey Gardiner, Safety Specialist. Although automakers routinely conduct ride and drives of their own vehicles, there are coordination and refueling logistics that have evolved through CaFCP events that may be useful to other organizations planning for events incorporating ride and drives. CaFCP and its members are proud of their history and focus on safe and fun event operation.
• The CaFCP 2004 Progress Report is now available online and in print. Major public events in 2005 include CaFCP participation in the UN World Environment Day in San Francisco on June 2 with Governor Schwarzenegger and Road Rally 4 through four counties in the Bay Area September 29 – October 1. Additional Community Workshops and ER training sessions are also being planned.
• Discussion regarding CaFCP activities post 2007 will begin at the next Steering team meeting.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for July 19-20 in Vancouver, B.C.

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