Staff Reports - East Bay Municipal Utility District

EBMUD
AGENDA NO.
MEETING DATE January 22, 2013
TITLE
WASTE TO BIODIESEL PHASE II RESEARCH ASSISTANCE SERVICES
El MOTION • RESOLUTION • ORDINANCE
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize an amendment to the agreement with Bay Systems Consulting, Inc. (Bay Systems) in an amount
not to exceed $120,000 for specialized biodiesel research assistance services. These funds will be fully
reimbursed by the California Energy Commission (CEC).
SUMMARY
In 2011, the District received a $1 million grant from the CEC to investigate low-cost methods for
producing biodiesel from waste grease and oils. If successful, the outcome from this work could allow
agencies to cost-effectively produce biodiesel from wastes to fuel diesel fleets. In February 2011, the
District executed a $150,000 agreement with Bay Systems to provide technical support for Phase I of the
grant-funded work, which consisted of researching and identifying potential low-cost alternatives.
Additional funding for this agreement is needed for the District to complete Phase II of the project, which
consists of evaluating technologies identified in Phase I of the study. Bay Systems has unique, specialized
expertise in biodiesel production and pilot testing. This $120,000 amendment, which would bring the total
contract amount up to $270,000, will provide funding to allow Bay Systems to provide an additional year
of technical assistance to complete the project.
DISCUSSION
Current methods for converting waste grease into biodiesel are costly to build and operate, and therefore,
provide little potential for widespread use. The District recently completed the first phase of the CEC
grant-funded study and identified several potential low-cost alternatives for converting waste grease into
biodiesel at a bench-scale level. In the next and final phase of this study, a pilot facility will be constructed
and operated to test the most promising alternatives at a scale sufficient to evaluate the alternatives'
potential performance and economics at full-scale. A conceptual design of facilities to cost-effectively
manufacture biodiesel from waste grease and oils is the goal for the final work product. If successful, this
design could potentially be implemented at wastewater treatment facilities to fuel diesel fleets or possibly
other diesel vehicles in the surrounding communities.
Funds Available: FY13
Budget Code: WWC/924/7999/2006832/5231
DEPARTMENT SUBMITTING
DEPARTMENT MANAGER or DIRECTOR
APPROVED
WASTEWATER
David R. Williams
G^peral Manager
Contact the Office of the District Secretary with questions about completing or submitting this form.
BDl PS 1008