BOARD MEETING DATE: December 1, 2006
AGENDA NO. 3

Execute Sole Source Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Advanced Idle Reduction Technology for Heavy Duty Diesel-Powered Sleeper Trucks

SYNOPSIS:

Long-haul truckers typically idle their diesel engines to maintain comfortable temperatures in the sleeper cab, keep the engine warm to prevent cold-start problems, and power small on-board accessories.  CARB estimates that state-wide idle NOx emissions from idling trucks will be approximately 53 tons per day by 2010.  This action is to execute a contract with International Truck and Engine Corporation to design, install, and evaluate an advanced battery-powered auxiliary power unit at a cost not to exceed $250,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.  The total cost of the proposed project is $575,000 and U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory and its partners will provide $325,000 in direct cash and in-kind contributions.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 17, 2006, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with International Truck and Engine Corporation to co-sponsor the development and demonstration of advanced idle reduction technology for heavy-duty diesel-powered sleeper trucks in an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Long-haul truckers idle their diesel engines to generate electrical energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the sleeper cab as they sleep or rest, keep the engine warm to avoid cold-start problems during winter, and power small electrical accessories such as televisions, microwaves, computers, and refrigerators.   Unfortunately, idling produces emissions of criteria and toxic pollutants.  CARB estimates about 76,000 sleeper trucks operate in California at any given time, each idling between 1,800 and 2,400 hours per year, with a daily aggregate diesel consumption of approximately 162,000 gallons.  CARB also estimates the 2010 statewide PM and NOx emissions from these trucks units to be 0.73 and 53 tons per day (tpd), respectively.  NOx emissions are projected by CARB to increase to about 65 tpd in 2020. 

In October 2005, CARB amended an existing Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) to reduce emissions of toxic and criteria pollutants by limiting idling of new and in-use sleeper-equipped diesel trucks, effective 2008.  The AQMD, the National Renewable Energy laboratory (NREL), International Truck and Engine Corporation (ITEC), and Wal-Mart are assessing an advanced battery-powered auxiliary power unit (APU) to keep the driver’s cabin at comfortable temperature and power electric accessories, rather than running the main engine or a diesel-fueled APU.  The battery-powered APU includes an engine shutdown timer, a fuel-fired coolant heater, and a thermal energy storage system coupled with an electrically driven air conditioning system, which could reduce idling PM emissions by 99 percent and NOx emissions by 70 percent, exceeding the reduction levels required by the ATCM.

Proposal

The proposed project is to assess the reliability and performance (economy, emissions, and comfort) of an advanced battery-powered APU on sleeper-equipped diesel trucks operating in the South Coast Basin.  The scope of the project includes the design, installation, evaluation, and comparison of emissions from the advanced battery-powered APU with 2007 diesel-fueled-APU-equipped sleeper trucks.  ITEC proposes selecting up to four sleeper-equipped diesel trucks, two of which will be equipped with the newly designed advanced battery-powered APU.  The remaining two trucks equipped with diesel-powered APU will serve as control groups.  The four trucks will be demonstrated in service for 12 months in order to quantify the emissions benefits and assess the reliability and performance of the advanced battery-powered APU.

The proposed action is to authorize the Chairman to execute a sole-source contract with ITEC to co-sponsor development and demonstration of advanced idle reduction technology for heavy-duty diesel-powered sleeper trucks in an amount not to exceed $250,000.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the 2006 Technology Advancement Plan Update under Electric/Hybrid Technologies: “Demonstrate Advanced Energy Storage Systems.”  The proposed project supports the implementation of energy storage systems that could potentially reduce PM and NOx emissions from sleeper truck APUs by more than 99 and 70 percent, respectively.

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 interests of the AQMD.  Specifically, these circumstances are: Projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors B.2.d.(8).

ITEC is a truck and engine manufacturer with vast experience in the area of idle reduction technology and emissions improvements.  ITEC has secured cost sharing from U.S. NREL and Wal-Mart. 

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $575,000, of which AQMD’s cost-share shall not exceed $250,000.  ITEC and its partners will contribute the remaining $325,000 in direct funding and in-kind contributions.  The total estimated cost-share for this project is provided below:

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program 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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