BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 306
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 2, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 306 (Gatto) - As Amended: April 27, 2011
SUBJECT : Piezoelectric technology: roadways
SUMMARY : Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
conduct research on piezoelectric transducers. Specifically,
this bill :
1)Requires CEC to conduct research on generating electricity
using piezoelectric technology under roadways and railways.
2)Requires the CEC to collaborate with the California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) to establish a pilot project or
projects that would employ piezoelectric-based harvesting
technology if the CEC finds, based on initial research, that a
pilot project is appropriate.
3)Requires the CEC to include in its Integrated Energy Policy
Report to be adopted in 2013, a report on the findings of the
research performed pursuant to the provisions of this bill.
4)Authorizes the CEC to expend money in the Public Interest
Research, Development, and Demonstration Fund, upon
appropriation by the Legislature.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires the CEC to assess electricity infrastructure trends
and issues facing California and develop and recommend energy
policies for the state to address and resolve such issues as
part of its biennial Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR).
The IEPR covers three main subjects: electricity and natural
gas markets; transportation fuels, technologies and
infrastructure; and public interest energy strategies.
2)Directs about $70 million per year of energy utilities
ratepayer funds to the CEC to administer the Public Interest
Energy Research (PIER) Program. PIER funds are allocated
according to general statutory guidelines and a more specific
CEC-developed investment plan. Investments in research,
development and demonstration are permitted in energy
AB 306
Page 2
technologies that provide tangible benefits to the utility
customers who fund the program. Collection of funds for these
purposes currently is authorized until 2012.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "As California
seeks to cut its greenhouse gas emission, it is important to
explore green alternatives to electricity generation. Solar and
wind power are being used successfully to generate electricity,
but these technologies are difficult to implement in an urban
setting. Piezoelectric energy-harvesting technology is a
promising new technology which would thrive in urban areas,
creating electricity where demand is greatest."
Piezoelectricity is the charge that accumulates in certain
materials, such as crystals and ceramics, in response to applied
mechanical strain. The piezoelectric technology installed under
the surface of roads described in this bill is patented by
Israel-based Innowattech. According to the firm's website,
Innowattech has developed a new technology that enables
harvesting and conversion of mechanical energy from passing
vehicles into electrical energy.
Innowattech asserts that, using current technology, a one
kilometer single-lane stretch of highway imbedded with
piezoelectric energy harvesters can produce up to 44 megawatts a
year, enough to power 30,800 homes a year. Innowattech's claims
differ substantially from initial mathematical calculations
performed by the University of California, Berkeley, Institute
of Transportation Studies (ITS). According to the ITS
calculations, Innowattech's figures are likely inflated. ITS
estimates that every kilometer of energy harvesting devices
placed on the very busiest highways could generate almost enough
energy to power nine 100-watt light bulbs.
AB 306 requires CEC to study the potential for generating
electricity using piezoelectric technology under roadways. If
CEC determines that the technology offers potential worth
further investigation, then the bill would require CEC to
collaborate with Caltrans on a pilot project. If CEC determines
that the technology does not merit further investigation at this
time, then the bill would require CEC to publish its findings
but would not require further study.
AB 306
Page 3
Double-referred : AB 306 was heard in the Assembly Natural
Resources Committee on April 25. It passed out of the committee
6-1.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Mr. Paul Bunje, Executive Director, Center for Climate Change
Solutions, University of
California, Los Angeles, Institute of the Environment and
Sustainability
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093