Maintenance of Fuel Cell buses: the challenge?

Transcription

1 1 Maintenance of Fuel Cell buses: the challenge? Paul Beyer Transport for London 22nd October 2015

2 2 Contents Introduction The Project Operation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Maintenance Fuelling Lessons and the Way Forward The Challenge

3 3 Introduction Transport for London led project Part of Clean Hydrogen in European Cities (CHIC) An EU project through the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Additional funding from DECC Project started January 2011

4 4 The Project Operation of 8 hydrogen fuel cell buses RV1 route Central London 8 buses peak vehicle requirement Commuter and tourist route 17 hours/day, 7 days/week Operating as a normal bus service Operation and maintenance by Tower Transit Over 70 drivers trained Fuelling infrastructure by Air Products

5 5 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Basic architecture

6 6 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Ballard FCvelocity HD-6 75kW fuel cell module Dynetek hydrogen storage system 4 cylinders ~ 32kg gaseous hydrogen at 15 C Siemens ELFA hybrid system Super Capacitor energy storage VDL SB-200 chassis Wrightbus bodywork ISE integration No longer involved in project

7 7 Maintenance Bespoke workshop Two bays One with fall arrest and hoist A number of safety features Hydrogen alarm 20% LEL alarm 40% LEL alarm Venting Power shutdown Earth points Interlock alarm Attachment of PRD vent pipes Personal hydrogen alarms Spark proof tools

8 8 Maintenance Two full time hydrogen fuel cell technicians Two supporting technicians Depot awareness by all engineering staff Apprentices have exposure All maintenance undertaken in depot No prime contractor support Ballard give remote support Specialist training undertaken Ballard fuel cell training Dynetek Hybrid / high voltage

9 9 Maintenance Issues Dash warning lights Diagnostics Interface. Siemens FC Supercap Conventional chassis and body faults

10 10 FCvelocity-HD6 Current generation fuel cell bus module: o o o o o Available in 75kW or 150kW configurations to appropriately match bus type and application Leveraging state-of-the-art automotive stack technology (economies of scale) Air compressor supplied separately Offered with a 15,000-hour or 5-year fuel cell stack warranty Module lifetime 10+ years

11 11 Fuelling Air Products designed and maintained Cascade fuelling system Delivered gaseous hydrogen ~ 350kg 15 C permanent storage Delivery ~ 900kg C tube trailer Fuelling undertaken by Tower Transit cleaning contractor employees Fuelling Same contractors who undertake diesel fuelling Specific training given Fuelling takes place over night Process is similar to diesel buses Time for fuelling ~ 10 minutes Non communication fill

12 12 Fuelling

13 13 Lessons and the way forward Remember safety Not just hydrogen High pressure High Voltage Overall fuel cell bus availability needs to improve Technology teething issues Supply chain immature Not all issues technical London hydrogen fuel cell buses proving reliability is achievable Regulations, codes and standards immature Immature for both vehicles and infrastructure RCS for hydrogen and fuel cells need to be harmonised at EU and international level

14 14 Lessons and the Way Forward Training Technicians Driving staff Auxiliary staff Sub contractors Emergency services Buses are zero tail pipe emissions Potential for well to wheel zero emission / carbon neutral Fuel cell buses provide the same operational flexibility as a conventional diesel bus No significant issues to operating a larger fleet

15 15 The Challange Will continue and improve the running of the current 8 buses until 2020 To integrate 2 additional buses in the fleet To satisfy the requirements of 3Emotion To disseminate information To look for further opportunities

16 16 Thank you