February 13, 2008
Updated March 24: GGT'S DEMO OF THE ZEB IS COMPLETE
GOLDEN GATE TRANSIT DEBUTS
ZERO EMISSION BUS
| WHO: | Golden Gate Transit (GGT) in partnership with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit) |
| WHAT: | GGT will begin operation of a hydrogen fuel cell bus as part of a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Demonstration Program |
| WHEN: | Beginning Tuesday, February 19, 2008 and continuing through Friday, March 21, 2008 |
| WHERE: | Effective March 10 through March 21, the ZEB will operate from 6:23 am to 7 pm on weekdays only. The ZEB will rotate on several Marin Transit Local Routes 36 (serving San Rafael, Canal Area, Marin City), Route 23 (serving San Rafael, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Manor), Route 49 (serving Ignacio, Hamilton, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael), Route 51 (serving San Marin, Novato, Sutter Novato Medical Center, Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, Indian Valley College, Ignacio). Click here for specific bus trips.
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| WHY: | GGT is conducting a demonstration of a public transit bus that operates on hydrogen fuel cell power |
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ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
In November 2000, in accordance with CARB regulations, GGT selected the Clean Diesel Fuel Path for the operation of its buses. As part of the clean diesel path, under CARB regulations, transit properties are required to participate in a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Demonstration Program (Program).
The CARB requirements were designed to accelerate development of zero emission fuel cell technology for integration into public transit bus fleets in California and across the country. Since 2003, as permitted under the CARB regulations, GGT has partnered with AC Transit on the development of a ZEB Program. GGT will not be converting its diesel fleet to ZEB technology, but will continue to take every step possible to continue to reduce emissions and keep pace with state-of-the-art diesel technology.
The ZEB Program includes the purchase and operation of three hydrogen fuel cell powered buses. The fuel cell powered buses have been designed to accommodate fuel cell powered electric engines within transit buses normally powered by diesel fuel. The ZEB Program also includes facility modifications at AC Transit to support the installation and safe handling of hydrogen fuel and proper maintenance of the new equipment.
AC Transit worked in partnership with bus manufacturer Van Hool, fuel cell system provider UTC Power and drive system integrator ISE to design, build and operate three fuel cell buses in passenger service. Each 40-foot-long ZEB is powered by a 120 kW UTC PureMotion™ fuel cell stack. The ISE hybrid-electric integration uses three, nickel sodium chloride batteries to store regenerative braking energy and to provide 95kW of booster power.
The ZEBs offers:
- zero-emission transportation
- nearly double the fuel economy of diesel fueled buses
- 250-300 mile range, 18% sustained grade, and 70 mph maximum speed
- quiet, all-electric drive
What is hydrogen? Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe; over 90% of the universe is made of hydrogen. Here on earth, hydrogen combines easily with other elements. When hydrogen combines with oxygen, it makes water that covers 70% of our planet. Hydrogen promises a host of benefits. Since hydrogen does not occur on its own in nature, it must be produced by unlocking the molecular bonds in water or organic compounds, such as the methane in natural gas. Hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of feed stocks and has the potential to help diversify the U.S. energy supply.
What is a fuel cell? How does it work? When hydrogen (H2) combines with oxygen (O), it produces water (H2O) and electricity. In a fuel cell, hydrogen protons pass through a membrane to combine with oxygen on the other side. The electrons from the hydrogen are not allowed to pass through the membrane and leave the cell in the form of enough electric current to power a bus.
What are the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cells? Fuel cells do not burn the fuel they use. Instead, they combine hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce water and electricity. The only emission the fuel cell generates is water vapor. Using hydrogen instead of burning fossil fuels makes our air cleaner, diversifies our energy supply and potentially reduces global warming.
Why are we doing this? Hydrogen promises a host of benefits – from diversifying energy supply to improving the health of the environment. Putting ZEBs on the streets has a direct impact on air quality and the health of local residents. If fuel cell technology proves to be feasible and economical, hydrogen could become an important part of the world’s energy mix. Testing this technology with centralized fueling and a transit fleet application is the logical first step.
Why is hydrogen safe? Like any fuel, hydrogen requires proper handling and a safe system design for production, storage and usage. In general, hydrogen, if properly handled, is as safe as gasoline, diesel or natural gas and, in some instances, safer. For decades, hydrogen has been shipped and used safely in the U.S. for use in everything from welding to hydrogenated peanut butter. Over 70 million gallons of hydrogen are transported on the country’s highways every year without any major problems. Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe, and it’s also the lightest – even lighter than helium. So if there’s a leak in a hydrogen tank, it dissipates quickly into the air without polluting.
AVAILABLE MATERIALS
"Hydrogen is..." poster showing how hydrogen powers a fuel cell to generate electricity
"GGT Ride for the Environment" poster
"GGT providing public transit to over 7.4 million riders a year" poster
March 2008, Popular Science Magazine: Article on AC Transit and the ZEB Program
SPECIFIC BUS TRIPS ASSIGNED TO THE ZEB BUS (MARCH 10-21)
- Route 36 southbound trip departing San Rafael GGT (Andersen Dr) at 6:12 am
- Route 36 northbound trip departing Marin City at 7:21 am
- Route 36 southbound trip departing San Rafael Transit Center at 7:54 am
- Route 23 westbound trip departing San Rafael Transit Center at 11 am
- Route 23 eastbound trip departing Manor at 11:32 am
- Route 49 northbound trip departing San Rafael Transit Center at 3:00 pm
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Route 51 northbound trip departing Novato (Enfrente & Salvatore) at 3:53 pm
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Route 51 southbound trip departing San Marin (San Marin Dr & San Andreas) at 5:14 pm
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Route 49 southbound trip departing Novato (Enfrente & Salvatore) at 6:04 pm
- Visit the ZEB Operations Center for near real-time location and vehicle performance data (Note: an on-board computer tracks and relays this data to the display. You may see zero data entries when the bus is stationary or the data is not available.)
- See complete GGT bus schedules
- See Marin County map
* The ZEB assignments may be subject to change depending on the availability of the bus. Should maintenance be required on the ZEB, a regular Golden Gate Transit bus may be substituted.