San Francisco plans to develop infrasturcture to allow rapid adoption of electric vehicles for use in the San Francisco and Bay Area. RubeLab is one of 19 parties who responded to a request for information, the "RFI". Below is the RubeLab submission.

A center for environmental innovation

                                                                                                                September 18, 2008

Office of the Mayor and the Department of the Environment:

Rubelab, an environmental technology group located in central Florida, is pleased to submit this Statement of Interest and information on our organization.

STATEMENT OF INTEREST

• Respondent Contact Information:

              Name: Mr. William M. Ferree, Chairman of the Board of Directors

              Telephone Number:  (352) 589-4676,  Cell (352) 874-9032

              Mailing Address:             Attn:  Mr. William M. Ferree

                                                        RubeLab

                                                        34503 Parkview Ave.

                                                        Eustis, FL  32736

              E-mail:                  bill@rubelab.org

RubeLab is a not-for-profit organization created to provide support for inventors and innovators who seek help in developing ideas and marketing products that have potential for solving local and global environmental problems. The organization serves as an economic catalyst for the community. The belief is that there is money to be made in helping solve problems like the global climate impact of fossil fuel consumption and the increasingly obvious problems with the quality and quantity of freshwater supplies.

• RubeLab is presently developing a specific pilot project known as the RubeStation.  This project is a solar powered vehicle recharging station which is compatible with and addresses many of the points of interest identified in the San Francisco RFI.

The RubeLab EV charging station:

1. Design based on belief that a functional EV transport system must include a variety of vehicles including light-weight short range vehicles. Charging stations must become ubiquitous. They must accommodate a vehicle mix that might include everything from plug-in hybrids to a 25 mph recumbent trike for 2 with a 20 mile range, to electric bicycles. Making the use of these vehicles practical is critical to accelerating the shift away from fossil fuel.
2. Designed to accommodate increments of “off the shelf” components for using PV power.
3. Standard unit sized and packaged to be delivered by a pick-up truck and assembled by a two person crew using just hand tools.
4. The basic structure of the station would provide vehicle or pedestrian shelter.
5. The prototype will have a PV collection surface approximately 11 ft. by 13 ft. (8 Sharp model ND-216U2 or similar). This configuration will produce a theoretical maximum power output of 1728 watts. Note: The dimensions of the “roof” will depend on the panels selected, but the general design is for a stand-alone array of about 150 sq. ft.
6. Low target price ($15,000). The target price is thought to be achievable when units are produced in quantity and as collector cost per watt continues to decline.
7. The design assumes electricity grid connection and the ability to pull power from the grid or return power to the grid as necessary.
8. The prototype design assumes one station will serve three golf cart sized vehicles parked in a street space that could otherwise accommodate one full sized auto.
9. Design anticipates future smart controller capability that will recognize and accommodate charging needs of the vehicle connected. To keep the initial design simple only 120V 60Hz power will be provided. Vehicles served initially will have to have their own on-board converter/chargers.
10. Design anticipates the possible future replacement of PV collectors with higher performance PV as it becomes available. The design will also allow for construction of the station as a vehicle power source and a pedestrian shelter without the PV collection capability. PV would be added when the PV versus grid power economics suited the buyer’s preference.
11. The prototype being developed here will also integrate a rainwater capture and retention system to provide passive irrigation for a small landscape bed. This RubeLab innovation is a natural complement for the charging station. Contributions to solving two of the most serious environmental problems will be showcased at one location.
12. Rationale: The “RubeStation” concept responds to several motivating factors: 

• The need and probable regulatory mandate to drastically reduce carbon emissions.
• Solar electric investment internal rates of return will improve substantially as new PV materials are developed.
• The combination of high prices at the gasoline pump and rising utility bills will create strong end consumer demand.
• Governing authorities and other responsible parties can enjoy substantial savings in the cost of providing transportation infrastructure. The mandate is to provide infrastructure for the movement of people and goods not necessarily the movement and parking of traditional fossil fueled cars.
• The “RubeStation” delivers a 3 for 1 advantage in terms of the amount of real estate required to meet the infrastructure mandate. As an added benefit, the $15,000 target cost is comparable to the cost of a single full sized auto parking space in a parking garage.

RFI Points of Interest

1 – Deployment of EV charging infrastructure that will accommodate the needs of the full range of vehicles requiring access to electrical charging, including plug-in hybrids, low-speed EV’s and full-function battery EV’s.

RubeLab is working to provide the necessary infrastructure to conveniently recharge the full spectrum of electrically powered vehicles.

2 – Deployment of charging systems that universally accommodate vehicles from all manufacturers, and that comply with all applicable building codes, UL safety codes, ADA requirements and industry standards.

RubeLab is investigating the system hardware needed for universal charging while ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, safety requirements, and industry standards.

3 – Deployment of charging systems that meet customers’ EV charging needs in any or all key location including residential garages, commercial garages and parking lots, transit hubs, workplace location, and on-street parking in residential and non-residential neighborhoods. (Note: an important consideration for San Francisco is determining how to provide access to overnight charging for a high percentage of residents who do not have residential parking facilities.)

The RubeStation is amenable for service in BOTH residential and commercial applications but needs to be oriented to some degree to optimally receive the sun’s rays due to its solar capability.  The basic station module is being designed to service three cart sized electric vehicles parked perpendicular to the curb line or roadway shoulder in the 10 ft. by 20 ft. space needed for one traditional non-electric automobile. This is space saving on a 3 to 1 ratio!

4 – Use of  “smart charging” concepts to minimize charging during on-peak hours and to maximize customer convenience, and which may be compatible with the utility industry’s Advance Metering Infrastructure systems (“smart meters”).

The Lab has two Electrical Engineers on its Technology Committee that are evaluating “smart charging” concepts including the possibility of connection fees that vary according to the local utility’s on-peak/off-peak needs.

5 – Provision of attractive EV charging subscription or billing rates for customers, and convenient billing systems.

The Lab does not have expertise in billing systems at this time and believes other third party expertise is available.

6 – Incorporation of renewable energy with the EV charging system.

This is precisely the purpose of the eight (8) PV panels on the roof of the RubeStation.

7 – Coordination of EV charging system programs with the City’s priority of minimizing individual driving through, among other means, encouragement of ride-sharing, carpooling, shuttle services and car-sharing networks.

This goal is supported by the “RubeStation” because of its relatively small size and modularity. It can be placed at many locations to enable the last short leg of a people transportation network.

8 - Consideration of means to accommodate the extended-range needs of EV drivers, such as fast charging or battery swap systems.

RubeLab is also exploring the development of a battery swap out system, recognizing that this may be the best method for providing longer range vehicle power needs. This initiative will require cooperation among manufacturers for the necessary standardization.

9 – Development of educational programs for consumers, schools, automotive technicians, policy makers and other key audiences to assist with market acceptance of electric vehicles and charging technologies.

The Lab recognizes that educational and marketing functions are key to promoting EV systems but does not at this time provide these services.

10 – Vehicle-based programs to accelerate the introduction and use of electric vehicles by fleets or individual customers.

RubeLab embraces the development of EV “green” technology on all fronts to make the infrastructure available for convenient and economic use by all potential users.

•  Following is a description of RubeLab’s qualifications and capabilities for conducting the above described activity.  RubeLab does not presently have a commercial interest in the activity. However, it or an affiliate will likely develop a commercial interest at a future date. Because of a future commercial interest in the “RubeStation” and similar projects, we provide the following requested information:

• The “company”, RubeLab was incorporated as a non-profit organization in Lake County, Florida early in 2008. The organization has members with backgrounds in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, civil engineering and information technologies.  Though located in Florida, the Lab has no intention to limit its activities to Florida or the southeast.
• The Lab is not connected to any other business entity so enjoys complete independence in pursuing environmentally green objectives, without political or commercial influence.
• Current activities of the Lab in addition to the “RubeStation” include evaluation and development work on the following concepts:
• A residential solar assisted clothes drying and water heating system
• Agricultural water capture and use systems
• Wind powered generating towers designed to be hurricane proof
• Use of compressed air propulsion for short distance public transportation vehicles
• Hydrothermal heating and cooling systems utilizing lakes for the thermal heat sources/sinks
• Respondent’s familiarity with the San Francisco region is facilitated by a “flat world” view. The Lab’s interests and objectives are global and local. Needs identified in the RFI are identical to local needs here at the opposite end of the country.

RubeLab’s purpose in responding to the San Francisco RFI:

We wish to share information about a current RubeLab and City of Eustis project and to be a participant in the development of the San Francisco and Bay Area electric vehicle infrastructure.  We believe our project supplies one of three necessary components of a viable transportation system, namely the “RubeStation”.  The other two components are Electric Vehicles and Right of Ways that provide a safe route for slow vehicles.

RubeLab resides in a triangular shaped three town community (approximately 5 miles on a side) that we believe will serve as an excellent test bed for developing a local transportation system.  RubeLab will encourage political leaders of the three towns to cooperatively develop appropriate right of ways.

Our organization recognizes the San Francisco effort as very responsible and forward thinking. We share common challenges and    goals and our project (prototype) is a realistic match to the need identified in the RFI. Affiliation with and recognition by the City of San Francisco will be helpful in establishing the credibility and timeliness of our local effort. RubeLab and our community will definitely benefit from being involved in the San Francisco effort. We know we can contribute in both communities.

RubeLab greatly appreciates the opportunity to respond to this request for information.  Furthermore, the Lab is most interested in continuing to respond to the City’s commitment to develop electric vehicle policies, programs, and charging infrastructure by responding to the issuance of RFQ’s and  or RFP’s. Also, RubeLab is well aware of the California Public Records Act and the City’s Sunshine Ordinance.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully submitted,

William M. Ferree

Chairman of the Board of Directors

RubeLab, Inc.