BOARD MEETING DATE: December 5, 2008
AGENDA NO. 25

PROPOSAL:

California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team Report and Quarterly Activity Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report summarizes the California Fuel Cell Partnership Steering Team meeting held October 21-22, 2008 and provides an activity report for the period beginning July 2008.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 21, 2008, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Receive and file the attached Steering Team meeting and quarterly activity reports.

 

S. Roy Wilson
AQMD Representative to CaFCP

CALIFORNIA FUEL CELL PARTNERSHIP

Summary of Steering Team Meeting
October 21-22, 2008

West Sacramento City Hall
1110 West Capitol Avenue
West Sacramento, CA 95691
 

SUMMARY OF AGENDA ITEMS

• The Steering Team meeting was chaired by Vice Chair, Reg Modlin, Chrysler, due to the absence of Jan Van Dokkum, UTC. Reg Modlin welcomed Andreas Truckenbrodt, as a new Steering Team member representing Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC), and the California Department of Food & Agriculture as a new Associate member.
• Chris White, CaFCP, provided preliminary information and Reg Modlin, Chrysler, led a group discussion to improve common understanding and to determine issues that CaFCP can help with to enable the CaFCP vision for pre-commercialization. The Working Group was asked to identify supports for each sector milestones; for example, storage costs, durability, etc.
• Joshua Cunningham, UC Davis, provided an overview of the recent National Academy of Sciences study. Joan Ogden participated in the study to create a fuel cell vehicle roadmap for 2020, which provided three scenarios. The scenario expected to be most successful focused on jointly placing two million fuel cell vehicles by 2020 with deployment starting in 2015. For success, environmental policy support is critical and government financial support will be needed from 2008 through 2023.
• Mike Smith, CEC Alternative Fuels & Vehicles, provided a status update regarding the investment plan for California Alternative Fuels Funding. AB 118 provides to CEC $120M/yr for seven years ($75M for the first year). The CEC is involved in ongoing discussions with CARB regarding use of funds and using consistent assumptions & analysis tools. The investment plan was revised in October 2008, public workshops will be held in November-December 2008, and investment plan adoption is scheduled in December 2008. Then, an early funding opportunity is planned in January 2009, with awards planned for April 2009. CEC wants to include other levels of government in funding projects. The CEC process used a 2050 perspective and worked backward to prioritize with categories including low carbon fuels (natural gas and propane which are near term cost-effective), ultra low carbon fuels (advanced biofuels), and super ultra low carbon fuels (hydrogen & electricity) with funding capped at 42%.
• Sunita Satyapal, USDOE, provided the DOE’s vision for the next phase funding of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle technology validation. The DOE timeline developed in 2003 specified Phase 1 technology validation from 2004 through 2010, with a pre-commercial phase from 2011 through 2015. The first phase has funded 23 stations and 122 vehicles so far.
• Nico Bouwkamp, CaFCP, presented the status of hydrogen infrastructure in California which included current stations operating, their funding status, and new planned stations. There are 27 stations in California, with a mix of accessibility and characteristics. Based on a previous survey, hydrogen demand is expected to exceed supply in 2010. The Steering Team empowered the Working Group to propose specific plans; identify key existing stations to maintain, propose strategies to improve access, identify funding opportunities to continue operating key existing stations, review the impact of modular fuelers, update anticipated hydrogen demand, and work with the Communications Team to develop a communication strategy to explain transitions as obsolete stations close.
• Fred Silver, CALSTART, described progress under contract to “Jumpstart the introduction of hydrogen fueling stations.” CALSTART is developing a goals timeline, a database of potential operators, and potential teams. The main goal of this project is to identify five teams capable of building multiple hydrogen stations. Nine teams are under consideration with, three having strong interest.
• Kristin Macey, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Measurement Standards (DMS), presented rules regarding the sale of transportation fuels and the current status of hydrogen dispenser certification. SB 76 requires California to develop specifications for hydrogen quality. DMS ensures that consumers get what they pay for, ensures a level playing field for business, and harmonizes California with international standards. In California, DMS provides training, but counties enforce the standards.
• Bill Elrick, CaFCP, discussed the action plan for CaFCP and member actions needed to achieve milestones.
• The Decisions and Assignments from the June CaFCP Steering Team meeting were approved. Members provided quick updates.
• Bill Elrick, CaFCP, presented business options for 70 MPa fueling upgrade at the CaFCP hydrogen station in West Sacramento (WSS). The Working Group completed a financial analysis as directed by the Steering Team in June. The Steering Team members approved using $700,000 from CaFCP reserves as cost share to apply for government funding to negotiate one of the top two technical options provided that; the expenditure is contingent upon obtaining sufficient additional funds to execute the upgrade and operate it for four years (e.g. successful government proposal, and/or other funding), government needs for validation and testing are met, transition to a new Sacramento public site is planned prior to the end of 2012, automakers commit fuel cell vehicles to ensure adequate demand, and the process includes a thorough safety design review (FMEA) with membership participation.
• Jennifer Hamilton, CaFCP reviewed the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) plan. Members approved the revised Safety Management Statement of Principles, which will be sent to Steering Team members for signature.
• Catherine Dunwoody, CaFCP, reviewed 2008 progress to plan and budget, and presented the 2009 proposed program plan and budget. Similar goals and staffing level were proposed for 2009 as in 2008. 2009 goals include facilitating member collaboration, provide support to increase the hydrogen station network in the greater Los Angeles area and the Bay Area, and conduct outreach and build relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., plan the 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour from the southern California border with Mexico to British Columbia). Members approved the 2009 program plan and budget with no increase in membership dues.
• Reg Modlin, Chrysler, called for nominations for CaFCP Vice Chair for 2009 from members of the energy sector. Shell Hydrogen was unanimously elected.

The next CaFCP Steering Team meeting is scheduled for February 17-18, 2009 in Sacramento. Additional information about the California Fuel Cell Partnership can be found at http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org.

Attachment (DOC, 3.4mb)
CaFCP Quarterly Update, July 2008 – September 2008