Engineered Machined Products, Inc. (EMP) has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ninth annual "Clean Air Excellence" Award for outstanding accomplishments in improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Chosen for the technology's impact, innovation, and replicability, EMP senior officials were on hand to accept the award for the miniHybrid Thermal System at an EPA ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

The EPA Clean Air Excellence Awards Program annually recognizes outstanding and innovative efforts to achieve cleaner air. "From local to state governments, companies to citizen groups, these award-winners are helping the EPA deliver healthier air and healthier lives to all Americans," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. She added, "EMP's dedication to clean air, with its breakthrough miniHybrid technology, will help create a cleaner tomorrow for all of our citizens."

EMP collaborated with the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) to develop the miniHybrid Thermal System for use in municipal transit buses to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. After approaching EMP with the idea of using this technology in the transit sector, TriMet's Bus Maintenance Department has since worked closely with EMP to prove the concept of electrifying cooling systems on transit fleets across North America.

The miniHybrid Thermal System replaces a transit bus's traditional hydraulic fan with eight efficient, controllable electric fans and replaces the standard alternator with EMP's advanced, high-efficiency Power 450 brushless alternator. EMP's Power 450 alternator delivers more power to the wheels when needed, and has a power draw of 40 amps or less 90% of the time. Among many advanced features, the miniHybrid system uses reversible fans to clean debris from the radiator to improve engine efficiency. Less maintenance, more uptime, and improved passenger safety are also key benefits.

Transit authorities have experienced fuel economy improvements of up to 10%, depending on location and use, which directly reduces the emissions associated with exhaust from transit buses. Compared with the premium cost currently associated with hybrid buses, the cost-effective miniHybrid enables the opportunity to retrofit legacy fleets at a fraction of the new cost of a new hybrid bus, while delivering the promise of emission reductions and improving fuel economy across the transit sector.

Considering that transit fleets currently consume over 1.3 billion gallons of gasoline equivalent annually, potential savings to municipal transit budgets are substantial. The miniHybrid fits all existing transit bus drivetrains such as Diesel, CNG and LNG, allowing universal application in new and retrofitted buses.