On The Move
Hydrogen Hybrid Bus to Provide Transit During 2010 Winter Olympics
Jan 18, 2010
A New Prototype Fuel Cell/Hybrid Electric Bus Travels to “The Other Columbia”
The Hydrogen Hybrid Bus, a University of South Carolina (USC) mobile test laboratory for hybrid electric, hydrogen fuel cell powered mass transit, will be leased to BC Transit for demonstration and evaluation with support from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Canadian Government.
A purpose-built, 35-foot, 37 passenger bus, the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus begins its journey north, leaving and travel to Golden, Colorado where it will be serviced for cold weather operation and then proceed to Victoria, British Columbia for transit operation. Pending final approval from the Canadian Government, the bus will begin carrying passengers for approximately one month to support the influx of visitors to Victoria during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The bus has been in Columbia undergoing testing since August of 2009. Upon completion of the BC Transit demonstration, the bus will return to Columbia to become part of the University of South Carolina transit fleet.
“The biggest thing we have to do is install supplemental heat for the fuel cells and for passenger comfort,” said Dale Hill of Proterra, the bus manufacturer. “The bus was originally planned to have heat later in its life cycle since South Carolina’s climate is relatively mild and the new body composition holds heat and cold quite well. But, when considering operating in Victoria, BC, we needed to accelerate this planned installation for the opportunity to gather this kind of data at this time in the project,” Hill added.
The composite-bodied Hydrogen Hybrid Bus combines a unique bank of fast-charge, lithium titanate batteries, with two, 16-kw hydrogen fuel cells to produce clean propulsion, emitting only water vapor. “The bus is clean and green. By using hydrogen, one of the most plentiful elements on the Earth, and state-of-the-art batteries, we are able to produce renewable electric power in a lighter, more aerodynamic package better suited for today’s transportation demands in the US and elsewhere,” added Hill.
“Because the bus has done so well here, we think it is ready for a higher visibility engagement with a different set of challenges,” said Jason Hanlin of the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), the project manager for the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus. The passenger demand and climate extremes during the Winter Olympics will provide us with data from a strong contrasting environment for comparison against data gathered in South Carolina. It will also provide an opportunity for others to evaluate this leading edge technology,” Hanlin said.
“SCRA is pleased to lead investment in this and other projects that develop and grow a sustainable alternative energy economy in the Midlands and throughout South Carolina,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO.
Because of a shortage of hydrogen fueling stations between Columbia and British Columbia, the bus will be transported via trailer. Costs for transporting the bus, and managing the bus on site will be borne entirely by BC Transit and the FTA.
Part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus will be one of several hydrogen-fuel-cell powered buses used by the BC Transit during the Olympic Games.
For more information about the bus visit www.hydrogenhybridbus.com.
Facts about the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus:
A prototype, the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus was built by Proterra with funding from the Federal Transit Administration as part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment. The demonstration in Columbia, SC is the result of a partnership of local agencies and businesses including, The South Carolina Research Authority, (SCRA), Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA), The City of Columbia, Signature Transportation Services, Big Fish Advertising and Public Relations, and The University of South Carolina.
The Hydrogen Hybrid Bus is engaged in a three-year demonstration and evaluation project to prove the feasibility of advanced, hydrogen fuel cell technology applications for mass transit.
The primary mission of the demonstration program is to gather and transmit data to federal and state agencies on the bus’ performance including the onboard fuel cells and fast charge battery components. All of the captured data is sent to various locations for evaluation, including the National Renewable Energies Laboratory in Colorado for public reporting.
South Carolina and USC, were the first choice of bus demonstration and evaluation locations because of their prominence in fuel cell and hydrogen research.
