The Technology Advancement Program (TAP) is the District’s strategic approach to encouraging innovation and development of new emission reduction technologies. The TAP will consist of an ongoing review of new technology concepts, interagency partnerships, funding for technology advancement programs, and collaborations to build and expand local capacity for research and development in the San Joaquin Valley.
For updates on the TAP program by email, please sign up for our email list here.
District staff is available to assist you with technology advancement opportunities.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.
In order to encourage technology development in critical areas that best serve the Valley’s needs to reach attainment, the District has established the following set of technology focus areas:
| Solicitation | Date Issued | Date Closed | Funding | RFP | Workshop Presentation | Workshop Q&A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAP14-01 | June 18, 2014 | August 29, 2014 | $4,000,000 | RFP | Workshop Presentation | Workshop Q&A |
| TAP12-01 | September 11, 2012 | October 18, 2012 | $4,000,000 | RFP | Workshop Presentation | Workshop Q&A |
| TAP11-01 | July 5, 2011 | August 19, 2011 | $1,400,000 | RFP | Workshop Presentation | Workshop Q&A |
| TAP10-01 | June 9, 2010 | July 9, 2010 | $900,000 | RFP |
Philip Verwey Farms demonstrated an innovative process electrifying major portions of the dairy feed mixing operation conducted at their dairy in Hanford, CA. The dairy feeds a “Total Mix Ration” (TMR) that includes varying forages and grain products. Prior to this demonstration project, TMR was mixed in Power Take Off (PTO)-driven mixer boxes distributed to the animals throughout the dairy farm using four large diesel-powered tractors. With assistance provided through the District’s Technology Advancement Program, Philip Verwey Farms was able to install two new stationary, electric-powered mixer stations to replace the PTO-driven mixer boxes and the four diesel tractors powering them. This project reduced diesel consumption at the farm by 90,000 gallons annually, and demonstrated significant reductions in criteria pollutants, including reducing annual emissions of NOx by 22 tons and PM2.5 by 2.2 tons. The success of this demonstration project led to the development of the District’s Electrified Dairy Feed Mixing Program, which provides incentives to agricultural operations to help support the implementation of this electrified feed mixing process throughout the Valley.
Download: Final Report
California Bioenergy developed and tested at the Bidart Stockdale Dairy in Kern County a novel internal combustion engine/generator utilizing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and non-selective catalytic reduction (NSCR) controls. The objective was to demonstrate that such a system could achieve ultra-low NOx emissions of 0.07 pounds of NOx per megawatt-hour of useful energy output when fueled by biogas from a heated covered lagoon dairy manure digester. During the demonstration, the engine initially achieved the targeted emissions level but eventually overheated and failed due to malfunction of the temperature controls and cooling system. This project was largely successful in demonstrating that the control technology was effective in achieving the targeted emissions level - the operational difficulties the engine experienced were not related to the control technology. The encouraging results of this demonstration show this technology may be worth pursuing for further development.
Download: Final Report
The City of Manteca demonstrated two E3 Parker-Run Wise Hybrid Refuse Collection Vehicles. The Parker-Run Wise system is a serial hybrid hydraulic transmission system. Hydraulic hybrid technology makes use of well understood hydraulic systems, including hydraulic accumulators, to allow for the storage and release of energy with high torque and power and is ideally suited to very heavy vehicles traveling at relatively slower speeds. The data collected show an improvement in mile per gallon efficiency of 39% with the Run Wise equipped trucks. However, the hybrid system required additional maintenance compared to a traditional transmission, and the size of the system reduced ground clearance necessitating the use of a transfer station rather than delivery directly to a landfill. This additional down time and added costs may offset some or all of the cost benefit from fuel savings. Refinement of the technology from end user experience and feedback may reduce the maintenance issues for future users, and for routes reliant on transfer stations this technology may be a significant cost savings.
Download: Final Report
Transportation Power, Inc. demonstrated a zero emission electric yard tractor which was placed into operation at IKEA to primarily move shipping containers and trailers around the facility at its main California Distribution Center in Lebec, CA. A Kalmar Ottawa diesel tractor was converted to battery-electric propulsion. The tractor accumulated a total of more than 12,500 miles of operation during the one-year demonstration phase of this project, producing a wealth of valuable data. This technology met or exceeded diesel yard tractor throughput while producing zero emissions at a higher rate of energy efficiency than the diesel counterparts. Operational costs for the electric tractor were considerably lower, with an energy cost of 31 cents per mile, compared with $1.12 per mile for an equivalent diesel yard tractor for an operational cost savings of $5,000 to 6,000 per year. Other than replacement of a component due to a simple design flaw that was easily fixed, no significant maintenance or repairs were required during the full year that the tractors was demonstrated. This technology was proven successful and has the potential for widespread implementation.
Download: Final Report
The Greenstation and its partners developed and tested backpack battery powered leaf blowers designed to replace two and four stroke gasoline powered leaf blowers for commercial use. Greenstation collaborated with Alare Technologies and Whisper Energy System to manufacture and assemble ten pre-production prototypes that were put into use, notably, by the facilities maintenance department of the California State University at Fresno and ABEL Industries in Visalia, as well as a selection of smaller landscape maintenance companies. There were some issues with battery performance, the durability of the prototype plastic, and user’s unwillingness to adapt to the new technology. However, most of the operators were pleased with the performance, ease of use, fuel savings, and quiet operation of the units. The overall result of this process was the successful manufacturing and testing of lithium battery powered backpack leaf blower prototypes that are suitable for professionals working in the property maintenance industry.
Download: Final Report
Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. demonstrated an advanced compact SCR device on a biogas powered engine installed at Joseph Gallo Farms in Atwater, CA. The system includes advanced monitoring and reductant metering equipment to prevent ammonia slip, and eliminate the need for an ammonia slip catalyst. The slip catalyst has been the primary source of NOX in systems as previously installed. The system with advanced metering was shown to reduce NOX below the Air Resources Board’s 0.07 lb/MWH distributed generation standard. Follow-up measurements at approximately annual intervals will be performed in order to monitor catalyst performance over time. The results of these measurements will be added as addenda to this report.
Download: Final Report
Sun-Maid Growers of California and their project partner, the Nisei Farmers League, conducted a demonstration of a mobile prototype device called the Burn Boss® Air Curtain Burner throughout vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley. Sun-Maid tested this device as an alternative to typical open burning practices for paper raisin trays, in order to reduce visible smoke emissions as well as PM2.5. The basic principle of the Air Curtain Burner technology is that the smoke generated from the combustible material is reintroduced back into the burning material, thereby stalling or slowing down the smoke particles as they leave the device. During the demonstration, problems with ash build-up were evident, so suggestions and modifications were made to break-up these layers and accelerate the burning process. The demonstration successfully demonstrated that the Air Curtain Burner technology nearly eliminates visible smoke emissions from the burning of raisin paper trays or vineyard removal materials, and the technology may be a cost effective and viable alternative to open burning practices.
Download: Final Report
The Association of Compost Producers and their partners conducted a research project that involved building and emissions testing a prototype commercial-scale Aerated Static Pile (ASP) compost system. Three piles were built abutting each other to create an extended design collectively known as an eASP. Each eASP zone was placed on a foundation of aeration pipes and coarse-ground woody material, and was capped with a 1-foot-thick layer of finished, unscreened compost acting as a biofilter. The eASP was built using electric conveyors in place of diesel equipment, and was aerated using power provided by an on-site photovoltaic array. The prototype eASP and conventional windrows of the same age and feedstock were maintained for one month, during which time emissions of VOCs, ammonia and greenhouse gases were sampled using flux chambers. Emissions from the eASP during the active composting phase were significantly reduced for total non-methane, VOCs, ammonia, and NOx compared to the control windrows. The project also reduced the amount of fuel, water, and land necessary for active-phase composting.
Download: Final Report
