Mobile Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generation System

The project plans to deploy four mobile clean energy back up power MORBUGs but a Stop Work Order is in effect from Q2, 2022.

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.

Recipient

Palo Alto, CA

Recipient Location

13th

Senate District

23rd

Assembly District

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$39,084

Amount Spent

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Active

Project Status

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Project Update

In 2024, the project team began developing technical measurement and verification plans and factory acceptance testing plans for the hydrogen powered MORBUGs. Site host engagements and site preparation were initiated including conducting site visits as well as community engagement and outreach. The team continues refining MORBUG system specifications and witnessing manufacturing progress.

The Issue

California has been experiencing catastrophic wildfires that are having a greater impact on communities and requiring a greater level of emergency response to support the safety and health of the affected communities. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) grid outages have increased, and in response the use of stationary or mobile fossil fuel backup generation has also increased. Mobile clean-energy backup systems are needed to support customers during grid outages, including backup power as well as electric vehicle charging.

Project Innovation

The project focuses on the technology development and demonstration of advanced clean energy mobile backup systems or Mobile Renewable Backup Generation Systems (MORBUGs) above 10kW that create a standalone power source for an emergency facility and postpone the use of fossil-based backup power sources as long as possible, thereby increasing the resiliency of the electricity system to climate change and extreme weather events while utilizing a renewable fuel supply.

Project Goals

Design, build, integrate and demonstrate four (4) mobile fuel cell backup generator units.

Develop and implement a measurement and verification plan for evaluating the performance of the backup fuel cell system.

Inform design considerations, safety measures, and integration best practices for transporting and using hydrogen.

Evaluate the benefits and business model opportunities of standardized MORBUGs configurations and package offerings.

Engage and educate the community about the benefits of mobile renewable generators and share project findings.

Project Benefits

This project intends to support technological advancements and breakthroughs to overcome barriers to the achievement of the State of California's statutory energy goals by demonstrating the techno-economic feasibility of a transportable, renewable energy-based emergency power source that provides electricity on-demand where needed. This source can be easily moved around, as well as connected to the grid to provide grid services during healthy grid conditions. Furthermore, the work being conducted in the agreement will show how such as system can be a key strategic component in expanding energy equity through distributed resiliency in the underserved communities. Lastly, through the engagement of a strong large-scale manufacturing automotive OEM partner, replicability, scalability and lower costs can be achieved with high reliability.

Affordability

The MORBUG can be connected to the grid to provide grid services, enabling revenue to be generated during non-emergency healthy grid conditions.

Environmental Sustainability

Portable diesel generator usage and associated air pollution has substantially increased in California due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The MORBUG provides a clean energy alternative to diesel back up generators.