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HARTFORD, Conn., 2/4/2008
To paraphrase a popular children's song, at CTTRANSIT it's easy being green. Over the past several years, CTTRANSIT has been a leader in demonstrating "green" technologies to reduce pollutant emissions and
enhance the environment.
CTTRANSIT is the State-owned bus transit system in Connecticut. Serving the Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Meriden, Wallingford, New Britain, and Bristol areas, CTTRANSIT operates a fleet of some 500 buses serving 109 local and 12 commuter express routes.
The commitment to promoting environmentally friendly technologies begins at the top. Connecticut DOT Commissioner, Ralph J. Carpenter, recently stated, "We have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make a real difference. We've always known that a bus full of passengers produces far less pollution than those same individuals driving alone in cars. But we can also use technology to make sure the bus is as clean and green as we can make it."
The capstone to these efforts was the delivery earlier this spring of CTTRANSIT's first hydrogen fuel cell powered bus, one of only four operating in all of North America. The fuel cell bus is a true zero-emission vehicle whose only discharge is warm water vapor. The project is a collaborative effort with UTC Power, A United Technologies Company, located in nearby South Windsor, CT.
The fuel cell bus has been operating on CTTRANSIT's Star Shuttle route in downtown Hartford, but will eventually be used on routes throughout the system for testing and demonstration purposes. The bus is not only non-polluting, but has more than twice the fuel economy of a standard diesel bus. When the hydrogen fuel is produced using clean energy sources, the fuel cell offers a true zero-emission technology. CTTRANSIT's fuel cell project is receiving widespread recognition as a cutting-edge technology. The project was recently honored with the Connecticut Quality Improvement Association's highest award and by the Connecticut Intelligent Transportation Society with its Outstanding Project of the Year award.
A particular challenge presented by the fuel cell bus project was how to handle indoor storage and servicing of a hydrogen-powered vehicle. CTTRANSIT staff worked closely with the office of the State Fire Marshal and came up with an innovative solution that minimized the cost of modifying what was formerly an all-diesel garage.
According to Steve Warren, CTTRANSIT's assistant general manager for maintenance services, "The fuel cell has been our most exciting technology to date. This project will provide critical information about the performance of zero-emission technology in the real world of bus operations and pave the way for what we hope to be future fuel cell bus demonstrations."
Before the fuel cell bus arrived in 2007, CTTRANSIT conducted what is widely regarded as the definitive scientific study of hybrid-electric bus technology. In partnership with the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and the University of Connecticut, CTTRANSIT conducted extensive testing to compare the performance of two hybrid-electric buses with a control group of standard "clean diesel" vehicles of the same vintage. The study demonstrated not only the significant reduction in pollutant emissions from hybrid technology, but also proved the benefits of using ultra-low sulfur fuel combined with a diesel particulate filter.
CTTRANSIT is now retrofitting diesel particulate filters on buses in Hartford and Stamford, funded by a CMAQ grant through the Connecticut Department of Transportation. CTTRANSIT's most recent delivery of new 40-foot "clean diesel" buses, which will be completed later this fall, also includes active control particulate filters. State-of-the-art diesel engines, combined with ultra-low sulfur fuel and particulate filters, means the newest buses in the CTTRANSIT fleet are more than 90 percent "greener" than the older buses they replaced. This year, CTTRANSIT has also switched to using biodiesel in all three of its divisions, which not only helps reduce the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (two major contributors to acid rain), but has the added benefit of being derived from domestic, renewable resources.
CTTRANSIT has also been working to make its operating facilities more energy-efficient. In 2004, CTTRANSIT collaborated with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Select energy Services, Inc. to build a 23.1 kilowatt solar array on the roof of its Hartford operating facility. At the time, this was the largest photo-voltaic array in Connecticut. The array consists of 210 photovoltaic modules covering 3,745 square feet. It converts sunlight into electricity, enough power to supply 25 average homes. CTTRANSIT uses power generated by the solar array to power lights throughout its bus storage and maintenance facility. Over the projected useful life of the solar array, tons of harmful emissions including sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide -- all contributors to acid rain and global warming -- will be eliminated. By one estimate, the solar array will have the same environmental effect as planting 118 acres of forest.
At the same time the solar array was being installed, CTTRANSIT replaced older fluorescent lighting in the bus storage area and maintenance shops with new high-energy units that save electricity. In fact, savings on electricity cost have amounted to over $100,000 annually.
According to David A. Lee, General Manager for the Hartford, New Haven and Stamford divisions, "We are very proud of being involved in projects that demonstrate new technologies to reduce pollution and help preserve our environment. At CTTRANSIT we see a 'green' future, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help shape that future."
Contact Email: pfry@cttransit.com
CTTRANSIT is the state-owned bus transit system serving the
greater Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, New Britain,
Meriden, Bristol and Wallingford areas.
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Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus operated by CTTRANSIT in Greater Hartford, Connecticut
Click image to enlarge.
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