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Nikola Unveils First HYLA Refueling Station in Southern California
April 3rd, 2024 by Fiedler Group
Nikola Corporation, a leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy solutions, proudly announced the grand opening of its HYLA high-pressure modular refueling station in Ontario, California. This milestone marks a significant stride towards establishing a robust hydrogen refueling network, especially tailored for Class 8 trucks, within the region.
The opening included fleet customers, dealers, government representatives, industry insiders, and Nikola team members. Notable highlights of the grand opening included speeches from Nikola executives, industry expert Joe Biagi, and representatives from the City of Ontario and Congresswoman Norma Torres’s office, who awarded Certificates of Recognition to Nikola for this achievement.
Attendees were treated to demonstrations showcasing truck and hydrogen refueling procedures, alongside facility tours and technology Q&A sessions facilitated by Nikola engineers. The event also provided firsthand experiences with Nikola’s cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, underscoring the company’s commitment to deploying advanced eco-friendly technologies on our nation’s roadways.
Located at 2445 E. Guasti Road, Ontario, CA, the newly operational station is equipped to refuel up to 40 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks daily. This strategic move aligns with Nikola’s ambitious plan to establish nine refueling solutions by mid-2024, with a total of 14 operational stations slated by year-end. Fiedler Group is proud to support Nikola with their engineering and permitting needs to increase fueling infrastructure throughout California.
Nikola’s unwavering commitment extends beyond the grand opening, with round-the-clock support furnished by onsite HYLA Ambassadors and Operation Technicians, ensuring a seamless and efficient refueling experience for customers.
President of Energy at Nikola, Ole Hoefelmann, expressed pride in this historic achievement, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the City of Ontario in realizing this vision. He emphasized the significance of this moment as a catalyst for advancing sustainable transportation and reaffirmed Nikola’s dedication to spearheading zero-emission trucking solutions.
Collaborating closely with industry leaders, Nikola is steadfast in fortifying the hydrogen supply chain and expanding its HYLA refueling infrastructure to meet burgeoning demand. This concerted effort is poised to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, driving the imperative decarbonization of transportation.
Congresswoman Norma Torres hailed the initiative as a boon for the Inland Empire, emphasizing the transformative impact of clean energy technologies in job creation and climate mitigation. She stressed the importance of continued investments in clean energy solutions to fortify communities against future challenges.
Nikola’s HYLA refueling solutions network is primed to offer customers a diverse array of flexible refueling options, including modular and permanent stations, customer-owned facilities, and collaborations with public truck stops. This includes the recent landmark agreement with FirstElement Fuel for a hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, Calif.
In essence, Nikola’s inauguration of the first HYLA refueling station in Southern California signifies a significant leap towards a greener, more sustainable future in transportation, underlining the company’s unwavering commitment to pioneering eco-friendly innovations.
Fuelcell Energy and Toyota: Pioneering the Future With the World’s First “Tri-gen” Production System
September 8th, 2023 by Fiedler Group
Introduction
On September 7, 2023, FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCE) and Toyota Motor of North America (Toyota) unveiled the world’s first “Tri-gen system” at Toyota Logistic Services (TLS) Long Beach. This innovative energy solution, owned and operated by FCE, makes TLS the first port vehicle processing facility in the world powered by onsite-generated, 100% renewable energy. The “Tri” refers to on-site generation of renewable electricity, hydrogen, and water from biogas. A major breakthrough in the scalability of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, it promises to transform the way we power logistics and transportation facilities, signaling a pivotal moment in the journey towards cleaner energy. The Tri-gen system showcases the potential and economic viability of hydrogen-based energy production, offering inspiration for other industries and regions. Beyond its technological significance, Tri-gen symbolizes the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping a greener future amid the challenges of climate change.
Tri-gen: A Game-Changer in Sustainable Energy
This revolutionary system provides three key benefits:
- Renewable Electricity: Tri-gen produces 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, a portion of which will be used by Toyota Logistic Services (TLS) Long Beach to power its operations at the port. This marks the first time that a port vehicle processing facility is fully powered by onsite-generated, 100 percent renewable energy.
- Renewable Hydrogen: The Tri-gen system can produce up to 1,200 kg/day of hydrogen, meeting TLS Long Beach’s fueling needs for its incoming light-duty fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Mirai. Additionally, it supplies hydrogen to a nearby heavy-duty hydrogen refueling station, supporting TLS logistics and drayage operations at the port. Hydrogen production can be adjusted based on demand, ensuring efficient resource utilization.
- Usable Water: As a byproduct of hydrogen production, Tri-gen generates approximately 1,400 gallons of water per day. This water will be utilized by TLS Long Beach for car wash operations, significantly reducing the use of local water supplies and promoting responsible water management.
Environmental and Community Benefits
Tri-gen’s impact extends beyond Toyota’s operations at the Port of Long Beach, including:
- Reduced Emissions: The Tri-gen system is expected to reduce over 9,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually by providing carbon-neutral energy. It supports Toyota’s ambitious goals for emissions reduction.
- Cleaner Air: By avoiding more than six tons of grid NOx emissions annually, Tri-gen contributes to improved air quality, benefiting both the community and the environment.
- Reduced Diesel Consumption: Tri-gen enables the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks in port operations, potentially reducing diesel consumption by more than 420,000 gallons per year. This move toward cleaner transport aligns with global efforts to transition to zero-emission vehicles.
- Baseload Electric Generation: Excess electricity not used by TLS will be supplied to the local utility, Southern California Edison, under the California Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff (BioMAT) program. This addition to the electric grid further supports renewable energy adoption and enhances grid resilience.
Fiedler Group is proud to have been part of this important project, providing civil and foundation design and engineering services as well as permit processing. Since its founding in 1957, Fiedler Group has been a leading supplier of innovative design and engineering services committing to projects that revolutionize technologies, processes, and advancements.
To learn more how Fiedler Group can support your projects, please visit our website, or contact us here.
FIEDLER GROUP MARKS 65TH YEAR WITH GROWTH AND EXPANSION
December 13th, 2022 by Fiedler Group
As landmark anniversaries go, 65 years is significant. It’s not often that companies can claim such an accomplishment. Never satisfied with mainstream status quo, Fiedler Group has spent the last 65 years in a state of growth and renewal building upon the premise of Fiedler-firsts in both design and innovation. Always working to stay ahead of the curve, Fiedler Group has built its reputation by ushering in new designs, pivoting services to meet expanding customer needs, and navigating challenging projects across the nation.
Since celebrating our 60th anniversary 5 years ago, Fiedler Group has witnessed tremendous growth in the alternative energies field, taking on programs and projects from some of the world’s largest and most respected Fortune 100. From Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV) fueling, state-of-the-art Electric EV Charging and Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) Hydrogen fueling facilities, Fiedler Group has helped to usher in the next age of fuel offerings for both commercial and public clientele.
Below is a small sampling of projects showing the progression of alternative fuels technology over the last 5 years and how Fiedler Group has been involved.
2017 – Champagne-Urbana Project
Fiedler Group was proud to participate in the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) project to construct a state-of-the-art hydrogen production, storage and fueling station to power hydrogen fuel-cell buses. Trillium contracted with Fiedler Group to design and engineer upgrades to MTD’s facilities with classified electrical, mechanical, and heating systems in accordance with NFPA2 standards with the permanent station producing hydrogen using electrolysis.
MTD operates a fleet of approximately sixteen 60-foot articulated buses, five 30-foot buses, and ninety 40-foot transit buses in the cities of Champaign and Urbana, the Village of Savoy, and on the University of Illinois campus. With successful completion of this project, MTD became the first transit system in the country to operate 60-foot articulated buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
2018 – First Hydrogen Facility for Freight and Port of Long Beach, Shell/Toyota
As part of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, the California Energy Commission (CEC) awarded $8 million in a joint venture between Toyota and Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing business as Shell Oil Products US to develop the first hydrogen-truck refueling station at the Port of Long Beach. The program was created to aid in the development of hydrogen and electric infrastructure at ports, warehousing, and distribution centers in California, as well as encourage the use of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in and around Long Beach, one of the world’s largest freight hubs.
Fiedler Group provided the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) as well as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) for the first of its kind, hydrogen HDV fueling facility at the Port of Long Beach.
Furthermore, Fiedler Group participated with Toyota in a “live-testing” project for short-haul, zero-emission truck prototypes transporting shipping containers between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and several freight depots up to 70 miles away.
With the successful completion of this project, Toyota became the first major automaker to enter the fuel cell market for Class 8 vehicles. The Toyota North America team said it decided to focus on a heavy rig truck to some extent because the vehicle could best demonstrate the fuel cell technology while contributing to cleaner air in heavily polluted Southern California.
Fiedler Group was responsible for the site screening, due diligence, site adaptation design and system integration, permitting, project management, and construction management for hydrogen fueling facilities throughout California and in Florida.
2019 – EVgo Project
EVgo and the City of Sacramento celebrated California’s first-ever curbside high-powered charging plaza for electric vehicles. EVgo, the nation’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network, joined with the City of Sacramento to celebrate the public opening of California’s first-ever curbside high-powered charging plaza for electric vehicles at Southside Park. Fiedler Group was responsible for the site civil and electrical design, system integration and permitting.
2019 – Citrus Heights Hydrogen Shell Station
In 2019, Fiedler Group was team member with the California Fuel Cell Partnership and Shell Oil® working in partnership with the California Energy Commission, for a seven-station development program in Northern California.
These first-of-their-kind stations brought the latest in Hydrogen Fueling Technology to excited owners of Fuel Cell powered vehicles in the Sacramento and Bay areas. The first of these stations to open to the public was located in Citrus Heights. Fiedler Group provided due diligence, entitlement, design, engineering, obtained permits and construction management for this facility in only twelve months, eight months ahead of schedule.
This Sacramento area project represented the fifth facility that Fiedler Group designed, permitted, and managed construction for Shell. Featuring two fully independent Hydrogen fuel dispensers, this facility was designed to fuel passenger vehicles with some of the most advanced technology available today.
2020 – San Francisco’s First Hydrogen Stations
Fiedler Group designed, permitted, and managed construction of 3 stations offering 100% renewable hydrogen from biogas for Shell Oil as part of a California Energy Commission and California Fuel Cell Partnership.
Equipment and critical technology were provided by NEL Hydrogen® and construction of the new hydrogen fuel station on Harrison Street was provided by Fastech Inc. California and construction of the 3rd Street and Mission Street stations were provided by NCI, LLC. Each location was constructed with two fully independent hydrogen fuel dispensers that can fuel passenger vehicles with some of the most advanced technology available today.
2020 – Iwatani Futurity Projects
Fiedler Group was contracted by Iwatani Corporation of America to perform the multi-site program, Futurity. Fiedler Group services included both FEED and EPC services for six (6) light duty hydrogen fueling facilities located in Anaheim, Corona, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Santa Ana, and Seal Beach, California. All project sites were designed and constructed at existing retail petroleum stations.
As the Engineer of Record for the Futurity Program, Fiedler Group provided design expertise and technical oversight on each project. Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) services included providing preliminary Conceptual Designs to ensure site viability; Entitlement processing including the completion of Site Investigation Reports (SIR) to evaluate capability and capacity for site development as well as barriers to execution; engineering and design sets for permitting and AHJ review; and construction management services, ensuring all sites were constructed to plan.
2020 – So Cal Gas Open New Heavy Duty CNG Fueling Station
In March of 2020, The Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) opened a new Heavy-Duty Vehicle Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station in Bakersfield, California. Fiedler Group provided the architectural, civil, structural, fuel, and electrical design required for the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling facility and the gasoline/diesel fleet fueling installation.
The new fueling facility was the fifteenth public SoCalGas-operated CNG fueling station to open to the public and exclusively offering renewable natural gas (RNG). RNG is a sustainable fuel made from methane that would otherwise be emitted from landfills, dairy farms, and other waste sources.
2021 – OCTAs Hydrogen Fueling Station Rollout
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) debuted 10 new hydrogen fuel cell buses as well as the nation’s largest fueling station located in Santa Ana, CA. The deployment not only demonstrated the technology capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but bolstered the push for upgrading current facilities to meet the growing demand of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), specializing in the development of zero-emission solutions, organized and managed all phases of the innovative project, including the design and production of 10 buses, construction of a high-capacity fueling station capable of servicing up to 50 buses per day, and the upgrade of OCTA facilities to work safely on hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Fiedler Group was a proud member of the ground-breaking project and was responsible for designing and engineering the upgrades to OCTA maintenance facilities that service hydrogen-powered vehicles. Fiedler Group’s experience in this new and evolving industry has allowed the firm to provide design, permitting, and entitlement services for the development and state-of-the-art construction of alternative fuel facilities as well as to navigate complex regulations and hurdles often associated with this new technology.
2022 – Shell Compressed Natural Gas, Carson
Fiedler Group’s design completion led way to construction of the Shell Renewable Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Site in Carson, California.
Fiedler Group was contracted to provide design, permitting and engineering services for the CNG dispensing station at the existing ethanol loading facility to enable the conversion of seven delivery trucks from diesel fuel to renewable CNG fuel. The CNG dispensing station includes three CNG dispensers, a 20-foot-tall canopy over the dispensers, and a CNG system compound with two compressors, one dryer, and three CNG storage tanks. Furthermore, the CNG facility will be supported by a new 3,200-foot-long natural gas pipeline located on the property.
2022 – Shell Neptune Program
Shell Oil contracted with Fiedler Group for an 18-month program to design and permit a minimum of 15 hydrogen project sites located throughout California. Tasked with completing preliminary, feasibility, and design services, Fiedler Group is working with both Shell and local authorities to add hydrogen services to existing traditional fuel stations or new build sites.
We’ve Come A Long Way…
Fiedler Group’s success is not only credited to the talented staff contributing to each of its projects, but also to the vision of founder Fred Stanton Fiedler. After serving in World War II, Fred went to work for the Union Oil Company of California where he managed the retail construction and engineering department for more than eleven years, completing more than 800 service fuel stations across the Western United States. After Union Oil reached its refinery capacity and no more service stations were commissioned, Fred founded the engineering company that would eventually become Fiedler Group – Fred Fiedler & Associates (FF&A).
In 2002, after working side by side with his father for 20 years, Patrick Fiedler purchased FF&A and in 2004, the firm rebranded itself as Fiedler Group to reflect the growing breadth of engineering and multi-dimensional design services offered.
Patrick Fiedler, Sr. pictured at opening ceremony of first Shell Hydrogen Fuel Station. 
Since inception, FF&A/Fiedler Group has worked alongside our clients designing and engineering innovative concepts into reality. As a leader in fuel station design, Fiedler Group has enabled major petroleum companies to pivot to their customers’ changing needs with the introduction and shifting of full-service to self-service fueling operations, the spear-heading of service solutions to clean air initiatives, answering the call for greater convenience, and the push for alternate fuel design including methanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen. Through it all, consumer expectations have been placed in the forefront, and progress pursued.
A great deal has changed within the petrochemical and automotive industries over the decades, but Fiedler Group has remained consistent in its vision: we are dedicated to innovation in engineering and design, and we will continue to evolve along with our client’s needs.
65th Anniversary Week of Events
Fiedler Group marked its 65-Year Anniversary with a full week of corporate events culminating in a celebration at the Castle Green venue located in Pasadena, California.
Founded on the three tenants of Valuing People, Delivering Quality Projects, and Providing Superior Customer Service, Fiedler Group kicked-off the week with team member trainings on the Anatomy of a Project, highlighting key services required to successfully deliver quality projects to our clients.
The week also included various team building events, from joining forces to escape a post-apocalyptic bunker to engaging in friendly teamwork competitions to build and donate military care packages to service members overseas.
Fiedler Group is extremely grateful for the success it has achieved over the last 65 years. We have been privileged to work with interesting clients on leading-edge projects and look to a promising future ahead!
Patrick Fiedler, Sr. pictured with several Fiedler Group alumnae. 
Former colleagues, forever friends.
To learn more about Fiedler Group services and projects, please visit www.fiedlergroup.com.
Zero-Emission Heavy Duty Transportation is No Longer a Potential Idea but a Proven Reality
October 5th, 2022 by Fiedler Group
Congratulations to Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) and Kenworth Truck Company (Kenworth) for the successful completion of the shore-to-shore Project ZANZEFF (Zero- and Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facilities). Located at the Port of Los Angeles and substantially funded by the California Air Resource Board (CARB), the project’s main objective was to demonstrate the ability to match or nearly match the performance of diesel-powered drayage trucks using zero-emission hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric transportation while eliminating emissions.
Read the rest of this entry »Design Completion Leads Way to Construction of the Shell Renewable Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Site (Carson, California)
June 9th, 2022 by Fiedler Group
Shell’s project to construct, own and operate its first renewable compressed natural gas (R-CNG) fueling site are well underway with the successful permitting and design completion of the station to be located at Shell’s distribution facility in Carson, California.
Read the rest of this entry »From Brownfields Site to Green Technology: Port of Los Angeles Set to Advance a Zero-Emissions Future Through Its Fuel Cell Electric Technology Demonstration
June 29th, 2021 by Fiedler Group
The Port of Los Angeles, along with several key technology partners, is set to introduce five new hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and two hydrogen fueling stations as part of the Shore-to-Store (S2S) demonstration designed to advance the Port’s Clean Air Action Plan.
Read the rest of this entry »Fiedler Group Opens Branch Office in Ohio and Welcomes John G. Dzwonczyk, PE, CFPS as Manager and Principal
March 5th, 2021 by Fiedler Group
Fiedler Group is pleased to announce the opening of a second office location in Avon Lake, Ohio, and the appointment of John G. Dzwonczyk as Manager and Principal Civil Engineer for the new location.
Mr. Dzwonczyk holds a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer in over 40 states. Formerly the President of JGD Associates, Inc., since 1995, Mr. Dzwonczyk has diverse experience in innovative fuel station design and will bolster Fiedler Group’s 60-year business working on service station, petroleum handling and site development projects.
Sr. Project Manager – Alternative Energy
February 10th, 2020 by Fiedler Group
Fiedler Group, a Pasadena based Engineering & Design firm to Fortune 500 companies, is leading the industry in alternative fuels engineering and is seeking a local Sr. Project Manager. The qualified candidate must be professional and have a strong technical background with actual working knowledge of compressors, pressure vessels, and gas dryers and ability to effectively present technical information to stakeholders. In addition, the candidate is required to have extensive experience successfully executing multiple projects (i.e. ensuring projects are accurate, completed on schedule and under budget) including their organization, planning, financial management, and stakeholder communications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assist in growing our alternative energy services department.
• Manage key client relationships.
• Provide sales and proposal management.
• Provide technical leadership and project management on alternative fueling and permitting projects.
• Identify project-specific requirements according to the client’s risk management profile, industry precedents, existing guidance, regulations, best practices, and lessons learned, and use that information to ensure an efficient permitting strategy.
• Coordinate and review of technical documents that support regulatory submissions.
• Task and project management responsibilities include developing proposals; managing projects and budgets; proactive and clear communication with clients, stakeholders, AHJs, and internal project staff; and performing and overseeing project technical work from feasibility (Site Investigation Reports; Preliminary Site Plan development), through pre-commissioning, which includes actively managing the design, entitlement, construction document development, permitting and construction processes.
• Close Out of Project: Oversee distribution of close out materials, facilitate prompt punch list final sign off, completion and resolution of all contract paperwork for final acceptance by client.
• Client management: Serve as an accessible senior point of contact for clients and provide responsive and timely answers and solutions to client concerns to ensure repeat client work, manage client expectations, and translate internal and external stakeholder requirements into client deliverables.
• Work with all involved disciplines and support staff; prepare or delegate estimated staffing requirements, schedules, and other pertinent data; prepare fee proposals; and conduct fee and contractual agreement negotiations.
• Subconsultant management including sourcing, directing activities, and ensuring accurate, timely and within budget deliverables.
• Directly responsible for budget management and completion of the billing process, collection of client billings and other operational and financial matters. Hold clients financially responsible for out-of-scope work prior to engaging Fiedler Group resources.
• Ensure company policies, work rules, and processes are followed and other assigned duties.
Accountabilities:
• Advance identification of potential technical/execution risks and develop schedule and budget conscience alternatives.
• Pro-active and continuous communication and reporting on project progress to client and internal leadership.
• Timely and accurate processing of RFIs, Submittals and Change Orders and other job-related documentation.
• Managing QA / QC on projects with a systematic approach.
Skills:
• Must understand and interpret Contract Documents, Engineering Documents, Specifications, Addendums, etc.
• Must be an excellent problem solver and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness in your work.
• Highly organized and able to manage and coordinate project information and documents.
• Engage clients with well-articulated proposals and presentations.
• Self-motivated, team-oriented, with a strong sense of urgency and adaptable to a fast-paced environment.
• General computer skills and proficiency with standard office software.
• Functioning vehicle, valid CA driver’s license and insurance.
Education and Experience:
• Proven, increasing competency over the course of your project management career.
• Technical/Professional expertise with minimum of 6-10 years of project management experience. At least 4 of those years must have been in an engineering consulting environment specifically hydrogen, and/or electrical.
• Required: B.S or M.S. or equivalent; or equivalent combination of education and experience – Preferred technical degree (e.g. Electrical, Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering etc.)
• Required experience with design process from Concept, Schematics, Design Development, Construction Documentation, Permitting, Bid Phase, Construction Administration and Project Close-out
• Required knowledge of design and construction methods
• Preferred: PMP Certification
• Preferred: Comprehensive understanding of building codes and application to Architectural and Engineering construction drawings.
Salary: Up to $150,000 annual
Benefits:
• Up to 95% paid Medical (HMO & PPO), 90% paid Dental
• 100% paid Vision, LTD, Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health and Wellness Benefit
• 401(k) Plan with immediate vesting and company matching
• Training and Educational Opportunities
• Cell Phone Allowance
• Discretionary Bonuses
• Tiered Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 15 days/year
• PTO Cash Out Option
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Holiday Get-Togethers
• Firm-wide celebrations and events
Schedule:
• Full-Time, Monday to Friday, Hybrid (Remote Thursday/Friday)
Newport Shell Reopening
July 24th, 2018 by Fiedler Group
After a much-awaited upgrade to accommodate retail sales, the 35th Shell retail hydrogen station in California is now re-open for business. Read the rest of this entry »
H2Station® Achieves the World’s First UL Certification
April 17th, 2018 by Fiedler Group
H2Station® from Nel Hydrogen has become successful in achieving the world’s first UL system certification of a hydrogen fuel dispensing system station. Read the rest of this entry »