National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium Examples and Lessons Learned from the Hydrogen Vehicle Test Projects at Yeager Airport and WVU Presented by Al Ebron, NAFTC Executive Director NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo Long 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 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:  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 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 Workshops

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

Hydrogen Vehicle Test Projects at Yeager Airport (and West Virginia University)

Project 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 Objectives 4.Monitor the performance of hydrogen fueled vehicles 5.Promote the general acceptance of hydrogen by the public 6.Provide training 1. Drivers 2. First Responders 3. State/Code Officials 4. Other Interested Parties

The Grand Opening of the Yeager Airport Hydrogen Station was held August 17, 2009, to coincide with the Mountain States Hydrogen Business Council’s Hydrogen Implementation Conference, which was held August 17-20, 2009 in Charleston, WV The Yeager Airport H 2 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 H 2 Station The Yeager Airport H 2 Station Platform Design Six Major Components  Electrolyzer  Compressor  Storage  Dispenser  Equipment Enclosure  Fire Detection & Protection

The Yeager Airport H 2 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 Airport Hydrogen Station Design Footprint

Station Components and Building Design

Station Dispenser Island

Methodology Used to Deploy Hydrogen 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 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

Chevrolet Silverado Currently in Use

Development of Data Collection 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 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:  H 2 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 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 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 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 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 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/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 Information Al Ebron, Executive Director National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium 1100 Frederick Lane Morgantown, WV phone fax