Development and Demonstration of a Mobile Fuel Cell Generator (MFCG)
Summary
SCH Number
2022020642
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Development and Demonstration of a Mobile Fuel Cell Generator (MFCG)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/25/2022
Document Description
This project purpose is to fund development, testing, and evaluation of the "MFC-120," a new generator product RockeTruck will assemble in California and market commercially to meet growing needs for flexible backup power solutions. The MFC-120 is so named because it will generate up to 120 kilowatts (kW) of power, combining 60 kW from hydrogen fuel cells and 60 kW from lithium-ion batteries. The mobile generator concept combining hydrogen fuel cells with a large lithium-ion battery pack to produce electricity with zero emissions and reduced noise. The MFC-120 will be inherently scalable; adding hydrogen tank capacity will extend fuel cell operating duration, and adding battery capacity will increase both the peak power limit and the duration that higher power levels can be sustained. Over time, if hydrogen costs decrease significantly as many experts predict, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the MFC-120 could become competitive with the TCO of owning or leasing diesel generators or other competing technologies such as battery-based systems.
Contact Information
Name
Loon Yee
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Electrical Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Idyllwild, Malibu, Tehachapi
Counties
Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Red Apple Ave and Reeves
Zip
93561
Other Location Info
24250 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu 90265 Los Angeles
25925 Cedar St Idyllwild 92549 Riverside
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the development, testing, and evaluation of 2 Mobil Renewable Backup Generators (MFC-120). Each MCF-120 will generate up to 120 kilowatts (kW) of power, combining 60 kW from hydrogen fuel cells and 60 kW from lithium-ion batteries. 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. Pursuant to Cal. Code Rgs., tit. 14, §15061(b)(3), the activities funded by the agreement will not cause a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment because the project demonstration would utilize zero-emission, clean-operating, hydrogen fuel cell mobile backup generator, and take place entirely within the confines of the Cummins, SoCalGas, FEMA, SCE, and SDG&E owned facilities selected for the project. The project would not introduce any harmful contaminants or produce any emissions as a result of project activities. Nor would the project create any impacts to air and water quality, or the natural and human environments. As there is no potential for environmental impacts resulting from project activities, the proposed project is exempt from environmental review on the basis of the Common Sense Exemption. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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