BOARD MEETING DATE: November 3, 2006
AGENDA NO. 23
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on October 27, 2006. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the November Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on November 17, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, Vice Chair
Technology Committee
Attendance: Committee member Miguel Pulido participated by video-teleconference. Committee members Cynthia Verdugo-Peralta, Dennis Yates and Tonia Reyes Uranga were in attendance at District headquarters.
NOVEMBER BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
- Issue RFP to Develop and Demonstrate Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles - The limited availability of real-world data for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) is one of the primary obstacles to reducing costs and accelerating widespread deployment of these vehicles. A fleet of PHEVs in different locations, with different duty cycles, would provide valuable information to key stakeholders in the manufacture and integration of the battery and energy management systems. Further, a sustained demonstration program could accurately identify the emissions benefits, fuel savings, and battery capabilities. This action is to issue an RFP to design, engineer, convert, test, certify, demonstrate, and maintain up to 30 PHEVs for 60 months at different locations throughout the South Coast Air Basin. In support of these PHEVs, this RFP will also investigate adding charging infrastructure sites throughout the South Coast Basin. Staff estimates the total AQMD cost will not exceed $2.84 million from the Clean Fuels Fund.
Committee member Pulido requested that the AQMD retain the option of terminating the contract should the auto makers produce a commercial model of PHEV before the completion of this project. Committee Vice-Chair Verdugo-Peralta asked to explore the possibility of ARB cost-sharing this project. Staff indicated the RFP will include language reflecting the option to terminate subsequent phases of the contract as requested by Committee member Pulido. Staff will also explore with ARB the possibility of cost-sharing.
Moved (Pulido), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contract to Develop Hydrogen Storage Capability for Gas Blending Facility - Hydrogen has garnered much attention as a mobile fuel due to its potential to deliver near-zero emissions in fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen blended with other fuels, such as natural gas, however, has shown potential promise in mobile and stationary combustion systems. Utilizing hydrogen blends may provide a near-term opportunity to displace fossil fuels while reducing emissions. Testing of distributed generation devices, including microturbines and fuel cells, on different blends of hydrogen is therefore a focus of the U.S. Department of Energy and California Energy Commission. Staff recommends funding the Advanced Power and Energy Program at UC Irvine to develop the hydrogen storage capability for their gas blending facility at a cost not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
Moved (Yates), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Issue Program Announcement to Solicit Projects for Cleaner Construction Equipment Under the Carl Moyer Program, Correct Name of Existing Contract, and Allow Acceptance of 2006 and Newer Model Year Vehicle Applications Under the Fleet Modernization Program - CARB’s Carl Moyer Program guidelines have strict requirements for expenditure of funds for each year before allocation of new funds for each subsequent year. This action is to issue a Program Announcement in an amount not to exceed $12 million from the Clean Fuels Fund and the Carl Moyer Program returned funds to fund cleaner construction equipment on a first come first served basis with the requirement that all equipment be installed by May 31, 2007, and be invoiced no later than June 30, 2007. This action is also to correct the name of an awarded contract, and also to allow the purchase of 2006 and newer model year diesel vehicles rather than 2006 model years only under the Fleet Modernization Program.
Moved (Uranga), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Execute Contracts and Purchase Equipment for Installation of Three 60-Kilowatt Microturbines with Heat Exchanger at AQMD Headquarters - AQMD headquarters currently has four 60-kW microturbine generators with heat exchanger. This action will allow the installation of an additional three 60-kW microturbine generators with heat exchanger at AQMD headquarters using previously authorized AES Settlement funds. The estimated total project cost of $259,750 will be offset by $144,000 of incentive money. The additional microturbines should save $18,750 per year in energy costs.
Moved (Yates), seconded (Pulido), and unanimously recommended for approval.
- Status Report on California Air Resources Board Carl Moyer Program Audit Staff gave a status report on the recent audit of the Carl Moyer Program conducted by CARB and the California Department of Finance. Staff reported that CARB found that the program is running well in general and commended the AQMD in its program outreach efforts, projects diversification, environmental justice, and creation of the program policies and procedures manual. Staff also reported that CARB had three findings, which included delays in completion deadline of some of the projects, errors in the dollar amounts of two projects by $6,317 and $3,703 due to calculation mistakes, and the requirement to include disclosure of funds statement forms signed by contractors in the contracts. Staff explained that a number of measures had been taken to complete the open projects by June 30, 2007, as required by CARB, and that corrective actions had already been taken to remedy the other findings.
This was an oral report only, with no action needed by the Committee.
- Consolidation of November and December Technology Committee Meetings on November 17, 2006 - Due to the upcoming Holiday Season, the suggestion was made to combine the November and December Technology Committee meetings and to conduct this meeting on November 17, 2006.
Moved (Uranga), seconded (Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
OTHER BUSINESS - Committee member Uranga complimented staff on their handling of the ARB audit and the findings of the audit.
Public Comment Period - There was no Public Comment.and as a fuel
The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment A - Attendance
Attachment A – Attendance
Rhonda Reyes, Board Assistant...................................................... AQMD
Bob Ulloa, Board Assistant............................................................ AQMD
Henry Hogo, ADEO, S& TA............................................................ AQMD
Mike Harris, District Counsel......................................................... AQMD
Sam Atwood, Media Manager......................................................... AQMD
Fred Minassian, S& TA................................................................ AQMD
Dean Saito, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD
Naveen Berry, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD
Connie Day, S& TA.................................................................... AQMD
Marty Kay, S& TA..................................................................... AQMD
Lisa Mirisola, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD
Al Baez, S& TA........................................................................ AQMD
Penny Cedillo, S& TA................................................................. AQMD
Dory Kilgour, S& TA.................................................................. AQMD
Russell Vare........................................................................... CaFCP
Jack Kitowski......................................................................... CARB
John Billheimer....................................................................... Enviro-Reality