National project management office held the 9th coordinating meeting of China FCB project in Zhangjiagang Hotel on 20th October 2006. The officers and stakeholders from Beijing Science and Technology Commission, Beijing Public Transport Group (BPTG), CICETE, UNDP, DC,BP, Sinohytec, Tongfang attended the meeting.

Contents

I. BPTG summarized the FCB demo operation
1. FCB operation
Since three FCBs started formal operation on 20th June, the project has attracted great attention from relevant authorities, news media and public. The passengers and news media gave high appraisement for the project.
By 25th September, total kilometer driven reached 16,528.2 km, fuel cell stack worked 957.4 hours, total passengers carried were 2948，average speed was 15.66 km/h, H2 consumption per 100 km was 17.05 kg.

2. FCB reliability
Regarding FC is not mature technology, FCB several problems were exposed during FCB operation. There were 19 incidents during last three months, including slight incident 6 times, normal incident 7times and accident 6times. One bus tire was damaged in revenues service resulting in no operation for 50 weekdays. Thus the average FCB availability was 89.52% in last three months.

3. Dissemination and education
The project has attracted great attentions from News media and public. Total 30-40 TV, radio, international and national newspapers and magazine introduced the project respectively. In addition, some dissemination activities including site visits, school trip and other showcases was of considerable assistance to create the awareness of FC technology among public. The number of FCB awareness among public reached to 70% rapidly after demonstration. For FCB safety issue, 88% of the interviewee announced they do not worry comparing with 35% before demonstration.

II. BP introduced the current status of H2 refueling station
External hydrogen supply equipments were delivered in Beijing on 5th September. The equipments were in test filling after installation. The hydrogen refueling station is expected to be available for FCBs at end of October. The max fill pressure will be 350 bar by external hydrogen supply. Quantitative risk analysis and Environmental issue analysis were approved already.

III. The updated progress of CUTE gave by DC
By 31st August, for CUTE project total kilometer driven reached 1,457,384 km and 99,564 hours. Except Hamburg and Perth will extend FCB demonstration for one year again, other cities probably will stop the FCB operation in May 2007. Germany government announced that 500 million Euro will fund R&D of FCV technology and demonstration in coming ten years. The investment was from government and private firms.

IV. PMO introduced project part II contents and next work plan
The project part II was approved by GEF council in July. The main contents includes continue to FCB demo in Beijing; purchase 3-6 FCBs for Shanghai through international bidding, construct hydrogen refueling station and start demo operation in Shanghai; to carry out feasibility study for candidate cities and research on standards, codes & regulation, technical certification documents for FCB commercialization

Work plan
To ensure Beijing H2 station will be in service at end of October or beginning of November.
To adjust demo route and carry out dissemination activities to increase passenger load and project visibility.
Hold project part II inception at end of year.