Hydrogen Back-Up Generation Vehicle (H2BUG)
Summary
SCH Number
2022050325
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Hydrogen Back-Up Generation Vehicle (H2BUG)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/16/2022
Document Description
Under grant agreement EPC-21-011, the California Energy Commission (CEC) will provide a grant of $3,000,000 grant to the Center for Transportation and Environment, Inc. to design, build, test, and demonstrate a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell mobile backup generation vehicle (H2BUG), leveraging existing transportation mediums without compromising equipment performance. The H2BUG vehicles will be designed based on an emergency disaster relief vehicle that will be developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense’s H2Rescue program. As opposed to mobile diesel generators which are only used to provide power, need to be towed to an emergency or disaster relief site and need frequent refueling, H2BUG is a fully self-contained system that can drive to/from an emergency or disaster relief site, provide exportable power, supply up to 10 gallons of water and serve as an incident command vehicle. It is also fully self-sufficient as it brings its own fuel on-board.
The goal of the H2BUG project is to be able to drive over 90 miles each way to emergency and disaster relief locations and provide at least 35 kW of continuous power for a minimum of 48 hours. To generate exportable electricity, H2BUG uses the PEM fuel cell in the truck powertrain and a large on-board DC to AC inverter making it a truly mobile system. In addition, it uses a high-capacity 700 bar hydrogen tank system allowing the proposed energy level and duration without needing additional hydrogen tanks. H2BUG can also utilize available green electrolytic hydrogen as a fuel source.
Beneficiaries will include investor-owned utility ratepayers and the public in general at disaster sites. Ratepayer benefits include greater electricity reliability and increased safety by developing and demonstrating a zero-emission emergency response vehicle that is capable of power export like that of a diesel generator. The vehicle also features an emergency response cabin that can accommodate similar utility as an incident command vehicle typically used by federal, state, and local agencies.
Contact Information
Name
Hatice Gecol
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Energy Commission Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Escondido, Milpitas, Rimforest, San Bernardino, Santa Clarita, Tracy, West Sacramento
Counties
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Yolo
Regions
Statewide
Cross Streets
Cadillac Ct and Fairview Way
Zip
95035
Other Location Info
1547 E Grant Line Rd (FEMA test site) Tracy 95304
330 Industrial Blvd (Cummins) West Sacramento 95691
650 Alpine Way (SDG&E test site) Escondido 92029
155 S G St (SoCalGas test site) San Bernardino 92410
26431 Pine Ave (SoCalGas test site) Rimforest 92378
24650 Ave Rockefeller (SoCalGas test site) Santa Clarita 91355
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the demonstration and testing of two mobile energy storage systems (H2BUGs). Each H2BUG will have a hydrogen fuel cell that powers the truck and also exports power to facilities or buildings. During system testing, the H2BUGs will drive to the project sites, park on existing ground, and connect to the site's electrical services downstream of the meter. The H2BUG system is for temporary use at a site, such as emergencies, and will not be permanent. Safety precautions related to high-pressure hydrogen storage and high-voltage vehicle systems will be used in design and operation.
Design, assembly, and initial testing of the H2BUG prototype will occur at existing laboratory and manufacturing facilities of Cummins, Inc. in Milpitas, California. H2BUG prototype will also be tested at existing facility of Federal Emergency Management Agency in Tracy, California. Assembly, initial testing, and demonstration of the H2BUGs will occur at existing laboratory and manufacturing facilities of Cummins, Inc. in West Sacramento, California. Electrical testing of H2BUG will be conducted at existing facility of San Diego Gas & Electric Company in Escondido, California. Demonstration test sites will be at existing facilities of Southern California Gas Company. Minor electrical connection upgrades may be needed at the test sites. Vehicle trips will be minimal. This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review under section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, because it consists of operation, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public and private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and because it involves negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The project is also categorically exempt under section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines, because it consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.