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Biofuels: An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet
11/1/2007
New rules are being developed that will require fuel providers to account for and reduce the heat-trapping emissions associated with the production and use of transportation fuels. The purpose of this report is to ensure that we "count carbs" accurately, by explaining why we need a comprehensive accounting system for carbon emissions--one that measures global warming emissions over a transportation fuel's entire life cycle. We also need to "make carbs count" by creating performance-based policies that will reward low-carbon transportation fuels for their performance.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - October 2007
10/1/2007
The October 2007 Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report is a quarterly report keeping you up to date on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue discusses prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between Oct. 2 and Oct 20, 2007, and then averaged in order to determine regional price trends by fuel and variability in fuel price within regions and among regions. The prices collected for this report represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including Federal and state motor fuel taxes.
Table 1 illustrates that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has dropped 27 cents to $2.76 per gallon; CNG has dropped 32 cents to $1.77; and ethanol (E85) has dropped 23 cents to $2.40 per gallon.
Authors: Laughlin, M.D.
Validation of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle and Infrastructure Technology
10/1/2007
Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles could play a central role in future transportation system. They produce only electricity, heat, and water at point of use. They could also use predominantly domestic--potentially renewable--energy supplies instead of imported oil for transportation.
Through a 2003 competitive solicitation, DOE selected four automobile manufacturer/energy company teams to participate in the project--Chevron/Hyundai-Kia, DaimlerChrysler/BP, Ford/BP, and GM/Shell. DOE is cost-share fundung those teams to build small fleets of fuel-cell vehicles plus fueling stations to demonstrate their use in five regions of the United States.
Innovative Policies Boost E85 Use in Illinois
8/1/2007
Fact sheet describes the innovative policies that have increased the availability and use of E85 ethanol in Illinois. The state legislature voted to eliminate the state sales tax on E85; established a state fund to cover the costs of installing E85 infrastructure; and requires all state agencies to purchase flexible-fuel vehicles with only limited exceptions.
Characterization of Fine Particle and Gaseous Emissions During School Bus Idling
6/8/2007
The particulate matter (PM) and gaseous emissions from 6 diesel school buses were determined over a simulated waiting period typical of schools in the NE United States. Testing was conducted for both continuous idel and hot restart conditions using a suite of on-line particle and gas analyzers installed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emissions Aerosol Laboratory. Results of the study showed little difference in the measured emissions between a 10-minute post-restart idle and a 10-minute continuous idle with the exception of total hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. However, an emissions pulse was observed during engine restart. A predictive equation was developed from the experimental data, which allows a comparison between continuous idle and hot restart for NOx, CO, PM-2.5, and PAHs. This equation indicates that restart is the preferred operating scenario as long as there is no extended idling after the engine is restarted.
Authors: Kinsey, J.; Williams, D.; Dong, Y.; Logan, R.
Fact Sheet: Sequestering Greenhouse Gases from Landfills, Animal Waste, Sewage, and Other Sources Via Biomethane Production
3/21/2007
Biogas, a mixture of methane and other gases produced from the decomposition of organic materials, is produced naturally in landfills and from processing of animal waste, sewage, crop waste, and cellulosic and non-cellulosic crops. If biomethane made from recovered biogas were used in vehicles, it is estimated that it would reduce greenhouse gases by 500 million metric tons of CO2 per year, or the emissions equivalent of removing 90 million light-duty gasoline vehicles from the roads.
SunLine Transit Agency Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results
2/1/2007
This preliminary report covers NREL's evaluation of hydrogen and fuel cell buses in service at SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California. The report includes 11 months of performance data on two hydrogen-fueled buses: one fuel cell bus and one hybrid hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine bus. The report also outlines the overall experience of the transit agency and its project partners in demonstrating these buses.
Authors: Chandler, K.; Eudy, L.
Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030
1/1/2007
Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies have the potential to provide most, if not all, of the U.S. carbon emissions reductions that will be needed to help limit the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide to 450 to 500 ppm. The document includes a section on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This section focuses on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, which adds additional battery capacity and charging capability to current hybrid electric vehicle technology. Plug-in vehicles thereby make possible substantial vehicle operation on energy derived from the electrical grid rather than from gasoline.
Authors: Kutscher, C., Editor; Lilienthal,P.; Brown, H.
Technology Roadmap for the 21st Century Truck Program A Government-Industry Research Partnership
12/1/2006
The 21st Century Truck Program will support the development and implementation of commercially viable technologies that will dramatically cut fuel use and emissions of commercial trucks and buses while enhancing their safety and affordability as well as maintaining or enhancing performance. The innovations resulting from this program will reduce dependence on foreign oil, improve our nation's air quality, provide advanced technology for military vehicles, and enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. truck and bus industry while ensuring safe and affordable freight and bus transportation for the nation's economy. The 21st Century Truck Program's goals and research objectives are to; improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, enhance safety, reduce total owning and operating costs, and maintain or enhance performance. The partnership's federal component is led by the U.S. Department of Energy in cooperation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget. Other participating federal agencies are the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The federal government brings to the table its resources for research and development, including the capabilities resident in government laboratories. The industrial participants of the partnership are truck and bus manufacturers, their suppliers, and their trade associations.
100,000 Mile Evaluation of Transit Buses Operated on Biodiesel Blends (B20)
10/1/2006
Report evaluates the emissions, fuel economy, and maintenance of five 40-foot transit buses operated on B20 compared to four buses operated on petroleum diesel.
Authors: Proc, K.; Barnitt, R.; Hayes, R.; Ratcliff, M.; McCormick, R.; Ha, L.; Fang, H.
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.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Compressed Natural Gas Transit Bus Evaluation
4/1/2006
The objective of this report is to provide a reasonable comparison between currently available compressed natural gas and standard diesel transit buses. The report includes operational, maintenance, and performance data for each study fleet operating from the same depot. The evaluation was conducted in 2004. Transit agencies considering use of alternative fuel and advanced propulsion technology transit buses are the primary audience for this information.
Authors: K.Chandler; E.Eberts; M.Melendez
The Harmful Effects of Vehicle Exhaust: A Case for Policy Change
1/1/2006
Most people assume that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sufficiently protecting air quality by setting limits for chemicals released from vehicles, requiring newer engines to be less polluting, and restricting levels normally found in outdoor air. While the government monitors pollutants at fixed stations, these measurements bear little resemblance to the pollutiuon you and your family experience while moving through daily life. This report examines a variety of harmful effects from air pollution, including that caused by vehicle exhaust. The report focuses on Connecticut.
Authors: Wargo, J.; Wargo, L.; Alderman, N; Brown, D. R.
Transportation Air Quality Selected Facts and Figures
1/1/2006
In response to the Clean Air Act (CAA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established National Ambient Air Quality Standards for various pollutants, known as criteria pollutants, that adversely affect human health and welfare. This report focuses on the three major transportation-related criteria pollutants: ozone and its precursors, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx); particulate matter; and carbon monoxide. This report contains historical measurements and data concerning transportation-induced pollution.
FAA Inherently Low Emission Airport Vehicle Pilot Program
1/1/2006
This document is the Federal Aviation Administration's final report for the Inherently Low Emissions Airport Vehicle Pilot Program (ILEAV). The report describes the current level of ILEAV project activity based on information provided by participating airport sponsors in their progress reports of Sept. 30, 2005. The ILEAV program produced a total investment of over $14 million in airport low-emission technology, including federal grant and local matching contributions. The lessons learned from the ILEAV program have been valuable to the FAA and its development of new air quality initiatives.
