SACRAMENTO – Today the California Air Resources Board approved nearly $500,000 in grants to bolster the commercialization of three cutting-edge clean air technologies.

The projects, funded under the ARB's Innovative Clean Air Technologies program, include demonstrations of a solar water heating system, a mobile greenhouse gas measurement platform and an advanced particulate filter.

"The leap from idea to commercialization is often the biggest roadblock," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "These grants offer a chance to demonstrate budding new technologies and underscore California's entrepreneurial spirit in finding forward-thinking solutions to air quality challenges."

Three projects were selected for their potential to support ARB programs and initiatives, and facilitate emission reductions in California:

• Davis Energy Group (Davis, Calif.) will receive $235,000 to demonstrate its SunCache residential solar water heating system that is expected to cost less than half as much as current systems while reducing smog-forming and climate change emissions;
• Los Gatos Research (Mountain View, Calif.) will receive $77,996 to demonstrate in a mobile laboratory their state-of-the-art laser-based instruments for real-time measurements of greenhouse gases and other pollutants; and
• GEO2 (Woburn, Mass.) will receive $185,000 to apply advanced particulate filter systems on large off-road diesel engines and small hand-held engines, such as those used in lawn and garden applications, with the potential to cut the cost of filter use.

At least 50 percent of a project's total cost must come from matching funds;10 percent must be committed by the grantee. Criteria for project selection include: the potential air quality benefit, readiness for commercialization in California, project quality and synchronicity with ARB's existing programs.

ARB staff review proposals looking for technologies and projects that promote emission reductions in California by introducing a new prevention or control technology, augmenting the degree of control provided by an existing technology, reducing the cost or other practical impediment, or increasing scope of application. Proposals that meet these and other criteria are then recommended to the Board for its approval.

Since its inception in 1993, the Innovative Clean Air Technologies program has provided 60 grants, for a total of $12 million, including today's grants. Any new, technically challenging technology or application that supports ARB's programs and goals, while benefiting the state's economy, may be considered for a grant.

Examples of particularly successful past demonstration projects include:

• An electric school bus with integrated fast-charge capability; $140,000 granted to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 2001;
• Solar crop drying system for farm products such as nuts, prunes and herbs; $150,000 granted to Conserval Engineering in 2000; and
• Electric diesel particulate filter for in-use diesel engines; $71,400 granted to Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls.

For more information about the Innovative Clean Air Technologies program, and projects it supports, see: /research/icat/icat.htm