AC Transit in Oakland, CA, joined a coalition of regional public transit partners serving seven million residents of the San Francisco Bay area on April 10 to open the region’s newest hydrogen production and dispensing station. The facility in Emeryville, CA, will provide fuel to the latest generation of zero-emission fuel cell buses operating in AC Transit’s service area.

“For over a decade, AC Transit has been developing the most comprehensive, zero-emission, fuel cell transit program in North America, and operating zero-emission buses in real-world service. Now, with increased fueling capacity, we have a greater capability to offer clean, quiet, zero-emission transportation to the communities we serve,” said AC Transit General Manager David Armijo.

The new on-site energy station, engineered by Linde North America, Jacobs, and EPC and built by W.L. Butler Construction, demonstrates the use of “renewable” hydrogen produced using Proton OnSite’s solar-powered electrolyzer. Engineering and construction firm Cupertino Electric Inc. installed a 510-kilowatt DC solar photovoltaic system for AC Transit that will generate energy to help fuel the public transit system’s hydrogen-powered buses running throughout the region.

The station also features advancements in compression and dispensing technology that will allow buses to refuel at rates up to 5 kilograms/minute—a time comparable to refueling diesel buses.

Because of a major grant from the California Air Resources Board, one dispenser at the fueling station is accessible to the public for use with hydrogen fuel cell electric passenger cars.

Rather than burning the fuel they use, fuel cells operate by electrochemically combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce electricity and emit only water vapor. AC Transit operates 12 40-foot hybrid-electric, zero-emission fuel cell buses.

In recognition of AC Transit’s investment in solar installations at its facilities, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) presented the agency with a check representing what will amount to more than $500,000 in rebate incentives from PG&E through the California Solar Initiative program.

Fueling one of AC Transit’s hydrogen fuel cell buses at the new facility in Emeryville, CA, are, from left, Jaimie Levin, AC Transit fuel cell program manager; AC Transit General Manager David Armijo; and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).

 

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