An Evaluation of Utility System Impacts and Benefits of Optimally Dispatched Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
10/1/2006
Hybrid electric vehicles with the capacity of being recharged from the grid may provide a significant decrease in oil consumption. These plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will affect utility operations, adding additinoal electricity demand. Because many individual vehicles may be charged in the extended overnight period, and because the cost of wireless communication has decreased, there is a unique opportunity for utilities to directly control the charging of these vehicles at the precise times when normal electricity demand is at a minimum. This report evaluates the effects of optimal PHEV charging, under the assumption that utilities will indirectly or directly control when charging takes place, providing consumers with the absolute lowest cost of driving energy.
Authors: Denholm, P.; Short, W.
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Analysis - Milestone Report
9/1/2006
NREL's plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) analysis activities in FY06 were aimed at objectively assessing PHEV technology, support the larger U.S. DOE PHEV assessment effort, and share technical knowledge with the vehicle research community and vehicle manufacturers. This report includes research papers and presentations developed in FY06 and focuses on fuel economy reporting methods, cost and consumption benefit analysis, real-world performance expectations, and energy management strategies.
Authors: Markel, T.; Brooker, A.; Gonder, J.; O'Keefe, M.; Simpson, A.; Thornton, M.
Notes: To request this document on CD, contact Techical Support Resources at 800-254-6735.
King County Metro Transit: Allison Hybrid Electric Transit Bus Laboratory Testing
9/1/2006
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's ReFUEL facility conducted chassis dynamometer testing of two 60-foot articulated transit buses, one conventional and one hybrid. Both test vehicles were 2004 New Flyer buses powered by Caterpillar C9 8.8L engines, with the hybrid vehicle incorporating a GM-Allison advanced hybrid electric drivetrain. Both vehicles also incorporated an oxidizing diesel particulate filter. The hybrid vehicle demonstrated the greatest improvement in fuel economy in the low speed, heavy stop-and-go driving conditions of the Manhattan (N.Y.)test cycle (74.6%), followed by the Orange County (Calif.) test cycle (50.6%), the Central Business District cycle (48.3%), and the King County (Wash.) Metro test cycle (30.3%). Emission trends were similar to fuel economy improvement trends. The hybrid shoed reductions in NOx emissions over the Manhattan cycle (38.7%), the Orange County cycle (28.6%), the Central Business District cycle (26.6%), and the King County test cycle (17.8%). Vehicle exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and state of charge of the energy storage system were measured for repeated test conditions. The remainder of this document includes the experimental setup, test procedures, and results from vehicle testing performed at the NREL ReFUEL laboratory.
Authors: Hayes, R.R.; Williams, A.; Ireland, J.; Walkowicz, K.
Case Study: Ebus Hybrid Electric Buses and Trolleys
7/1/2006
The Indianapolis Transportation Corp. and Knoxville Area Transit participated in a demonstration of hybrid electric buses and trolleys produced by Ebus, Inc. of Downey, California. This is a case study of performance, costs, and maintenance experience.
Authors: Barnitt, R.
SunLine Expands Horizons with Fuel Cell Bus Demo
5/1/2006
Sunline Transit Agency, a joint powers authority that provides public transit and community services to California's Coachella Valley, was an early adopter of alternative fuels for bus operations. SunLine replaced its diesel fleet with CNG buses and has worked to further reduce emissions. SunLine is currently testing a prototype fuel cell bus.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fleet and Baseline Performance Testing
4/3/2006
The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) conducts baseline performance and fleet testing of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). To date, the AVTA has completed baseline performance testing on 7 HEV models and accumulated 1.4 million fleet testing miles on 26 HEVs. Tested models include: Toyota Gen I and Gen II Prius, and Highlander; Honda Insight, Civic and Accord; Chevrolet Silverado; Ford Escape; and Lexus RX 400h. The baseline performance testing includes dynamometer and closed track testing to document the HEV's fuel economy and performance in a controlled environment. During fleet testing, two of each HEV model were driven to 160,000 miles per vehicle. At the conclusion of the 160,000 miles of fleet testing, fuel economy tests were rerun and each HEV battery pack was tested. The paper discusses the testing methods and results.
Authors: Francfort, J.; Karner, D.; Harkins, R.; Tardiolo, J.
Notes: Paper is available for purchase from SAE.