Mobile Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generation System
Summary
SCH Number
2021080274
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Mobile Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generation System
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/16/2021
Document Description
The grant for this project will fund the demonstration of four MORBUG mobile green electrolytic hydrogen plus battery hybrid energy storage system with a maximum power output rating of 180kW. The project focuses on field testing and validating the performance of the MORBUG systems. During standby operation the MORBUG may provide grid services utilizing the battery systems. During a grid outage the MORBUG can island and use the hydrogen to provide extended backup power for the customer site. The MORBUGs can be redeployed to provide emergency power where it is needed in response to an extreme event. The data collected will validate the MORBUG's energy storage techno-economic performance.
Contact Information
Name
Robin Goodhand
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Carson, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita, Santa Rosa, Rimforest, West Sacramento
Counties
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Solano, Yolo
Regions
Statewide
Cross Streets
1000 E Victoria St
Zip
90747
Other Location Info
310 White Oak Dr Santa Rosa 95409 Sonoma
3263 Industrial Blvd Sacramento 95691 Yolo
431 E St Santa Rosa 95404 Sonoma
155 S G St San Bernardino 92410 San Bernardino
26431 Pine Ave, Rimforest 92378 San Bernardino
24650 Ave Rockefeller Santa Clarita 91355 Los Angeles
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the deployment and testing of four mobile energy storage systems (MORBUGs) that can produce standby power from renewable sources through the use of a fuel cell and backup energy storage system. The MORBUGs can act as a backup energy source during grid outages due to public safety power shutoff events, wildfires, or other natural disaster events.
Under this project, the MORBUGs will be mounted on a wheeled trailer and towed by a truck using public highways from the grant recipient's subcontractor's leasing office to the project sites. The trailers will be parked on prepared ground and connected to the site's electrical services on the customer's side of the meter. The MORBUGs will be tested at each site to validate their performance in comparison to fossil-fuel based standby generators. The sites' existing electrical panels, cables, circuit breaker and switch gear may require minor customer side of the meter upgrades to enable the MORBUG to connect. Fire and explosion safety precautions will be taken regarding hydrogen storage, batteries and other project components. The leased equipment will be returned to the leasing office at the end of the agreement. There will not be any emissions impact from this project as the fuel cells are a clean power source. There will be no permanent installations or construction at the sites since the MORBUG is portable.
This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the sites.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15303
Reasons for Exemption
The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the installation of small new equipment in small structures with only minor modifications to the structures.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a major disturbance to an environmental resource. The project does not involve any unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, none of the sites are included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The project, when considered as a whole, will not result in a cumulative impact that is significant on the environment. Therefore, none of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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