National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

Examples and Lessons LearnedExamples and Lessons Learnedfrom the Hydrogen Vehicle Test Projectsfrom the Hydrogen Vehicle Test Projects

at Yeager Airport and WVUat Yeager Airport and WVU

Presented by Al Ebron, NAFTC Executive Director

NHA Hydrogen Conference & ExpoLong Beach, CA

May 5, 2010

National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

Headquartered at West Virginia University, the NAFTC is the only nationwide curricula development and training organization that focuses on alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

Mission StatementMission Statement

“To improve air quality and decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil by promoting, supporting, and expanding the use of advanced technology vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles.”

The NAFTC:The NAFTC: Initiates Strategic Partnerships

For Project Development & Execution With Industry, Government & Other Organizations

Manages a Nationwide Consortium of 50 National Training Centers

Develops Curricula Developed with SME involvement Curricula is internally reviewed, and alpha and beta tested

before release

Conducts Training (Workshops & Courses) Includes classroom study, lab activities, and hands-on shop

applications

Develops and Conducts Outreach & Education Activities

NAFTC Curricula ExampleNAFTC Curricula Example

Presently offers over 20 courses and workshops

Courses and/or workshops available on all types of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles

Courses and workshops are customizable to meet needs and requirements of the audience

Available at our National Training Centers or at your location

Courses and Courses and WorkshopsWorkshops

The NAFTC presently consists of 50 National Training Centers from Maine to California.

Hydrogen Vehicle Test ProjectsHydrogen Vehicle Test Projectsat Yeager Airportat Yeager Airport

(and West Virginia University)(and West Virginia University)

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

1. Conduct research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced operating instruments and equipment

2. Rapid evaluation of new technologies in the system

3. Study the operation and reliability of hydrogen fueling

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

4. Monitor the performance of hydrogen fueled vehicles

5. Promote the general acceptance of hydrogen by the public

6. Provide training1. Drivers2. First Responders3. State/Code Officials4. Other Interested Parties

The Grand Openingof the Yeager Airport Hydrogen Station

was held August 17, 2009,to coincide with the

Mountain States Hydrogen Business Council’sHydrogen Implementation Conference,

which was held August 17-20, 2009in Charleston, WV

The Yeager Airport HThe Yeager Airport H22 Station Station

The Yeager Airport HThe Yeager Airport H22 Station Station

Design is modular and open-architecture that supports the evaluation of components, devices, systems, and subsystems for hydrogen energy

Maximizes use of off-the-shelf equipment

Design allows for expansion to increase production and storage capacity

The Yeager Airport HThe Yeager Airport H22 Station StationPlatform Design

Six Major Components

Electrolyzer

Compressor

Storage

Dispenser

Equipment Enclosure

Fire Detection & Protection

The Yeager Airport HThe Yeager Airport H22 Station Station

Produces and dispenses 12.5 kg/day

Platform designed to be site adaptable (not require extensive site preparation)

Utilizes standard utility connections (water, electricity)

Platform is designed in a distributed manner that separates production, storage and dispensing operations physically

Yeager AirportHydrogen StationDesign Footprint

StationComponentsand BuildingDesign

StationDispenserIsland

Methodology Used to Deploy Methodology Used to Deploy Hydrogen VehiclesHydrogen Vehicles

Assess the needs of the Central WV Airport Authority (and other users)

Develop vehicle spec sheet based on these needs

Determine viable suppliers of vehicles (extensive search conducted)

Obtain bids for vehicles from potential suppliers

Evaluate bids based on price, performance & ability to deliver

Select supplier(s) of vehicles

Hydrogen Vehicle DeploymentHydrogen Vehicle Deployment

Initial bids all rejected – research by USDOE proved to change as project unfolded

Currently utilizing 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 conversion vehicle (from previous USDOE project)

In process of purchasing Two Hydrogen Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles Two Chevrolet Silverado bi-fuel conversion vehicles

ChevroletSilveradoCurrentlyin Use

Development of DataDevelopment of DataCollection StrategiesCollection Strategies

NAFTC worked closely with USDOE NETL to determine data requirements for this project

Initial determination was to collect data when: The station is operated to generate hydrogen Maintenance is performed on the truck Refueling activities take place

Developed data collection instruments

Additional data can/may be collected as the project progresses and daily usage increases

Data Collection StrategiesData Collection Strategies Currently collecting the following data for the

vehicles: Fuel Usage Daily vehicle operations and Status of vehicles Driver reports and other anecdotal information from

the vehicle’s operators Vehicle maintenance records

Currently collecting the following data for the station: H2 storage pressure prior to and after usage Total operation time Operator reports and notes Station maintenance records Total fuel used per driver/vehicle

Data Collection and UsageData Collection and Usage

Data was collected during the construction of the station to help guide the installation of future hydrogen stations

Vehicle and station usage data is currently being collected and reported on a monthly basis

Information will provide USDOE and others with information about vehicles, station design, and vehicle and station effectiveness under daily operation in a real-world environment

Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach

First Responder Safety Training Central WV Regional Airport Authority City of Charleston And other first responders that may have contact with

the hydrogen station and hydrogen-powered vehicles at Yeager Airport

Driver training for operators Hydrogen Safety Driver training Refueling Proper reporting strategies

Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach

Education and outreach for State officials after purchase of additional vehicles (for future projects)

Outreach Activity, National AFV Day Odyssey 2010 (for area residents/others to highlight the safe operation of hydrogen-powered vehicles and their capabilities)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Need to educate local and state code officials, first responders and others about hydrogen as a transportation fuel

Ensure you know requirements of target fleets (bed space, fuel capacity, etc.)

Be realistic in timeline planning

Initiate vehicle procurement with facility construction

Current availability of hydrogen vehicle and/or conversion companies is extremely limited (delayed many aspects of this project)

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Cost of the vehicles much higher than anticipated due to limited availability

Development of trailer pad and purchase of storage trailer for this project may or may not be necessary

Consider mobile refueling system for offsite events

Factor in additional time within the project to allow for Federal and State purchasing processes

Follow-up Project/ConclusionFollow-up Project/Conclusion

Current Yeager Airport H2 Project Continues for 2-3 years Initiates WV Corridor effort Data Collection for future use Designed for replication/open architecture

West Virginia University H2 Station Project Complements Yeager Airport Project Utilizes Original Design of Yeager Airport Project Reduction in Costs Continued Date Collection Continued Education and Outreach

Both Projects Examples of Real World H2 Stations & Vehicles

Contact InformationContact Information

Al Ebron, Executive DirectorNational Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

1100 Frederick LaneMorgantown, WV 26508

304.293.7882 phone 304.293.6944 faxAl.Ebron@mail.wvu.edu

www.naftc.wvu.edu www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org