Screening of Potential Biomass-Derived Streams as Fuel Blendstocks for Mixing Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion; SAE Technical Paper No. 2019-01-0570
4/2/2019
Mixing controlled compression ignition, i.e., diesel engines are efficient and are likely to continue to be the primary means for movement of goods for many years. Low-net-carbon biofuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of diesel combustion and could have advantageous properties for combustion, such as high cetane number and reduced engine-out particle and NOx emissions. We developed a list of over 400 potential biomass-derived diesel blendstocks and populated a database with the properties and characteristics of these materials. Fuel properties were determined by measurement, model prediction, or literature review. Screening criteria were developed to determine if a blendstock met the basic requirements for handling in the diesel distribution system and use as a blend with conventional diesel. Criteria included cetane number =40, flashpoint =52 degrees C, and boiling point or T90 =338 degrees C. Blendstocks needed to be soluble in diesel fuel, have a toxicity no worse than conventional diesel, not be corrosive, and be compatible with fuel system elastomers. Additionally, cloud point or freezing point below 0 degrees C was required. Screening based on blendstock properties produced a list of 12 that were available as fuels or reagent chemicals or could be synthesized by biofuels production researchers. This group included alkanes, alcohols, esters, and ethers. These candidates were further examined for their impact fuel properties upon blending with a conventional diesel fuel. Blend properties included cetane number, lubricity, conductivity, oxidation stability, and viscosity. Results indicate that all 12 candidates can meet the basic requirements for diesel fuel blending, although in some cases would require additive treatment to meet requirements for lubricity, conductivity, and oxidation stability.
Authors: Fioroni, G.; Fouts, L.; Luecke, J.; Vardon, D.; Huq, N.; Christensen, E.; Huo, X.; Alleman, T.; McCormick, R.; Kass, M.; Polikarpov, E.; Kukkadapu, G.; Whitesides, R.A.
Update on electric vehicle costs in the United States through 2030
4/1/2019
This working paper assesses battery electric vehicle (EV) costs from 2020 through 2030, collecting the best battery pack and EV component cost data available through 2018. The assessment also analyzes the anticipated timing for price parity for representative EVs, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles compared to their conventional gasoline counterparts in the U.S. light-duty vehicle market.
Authors: Lutsey, N.; Nicholas, M.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be downloaded from the International Council on clean Transportation website.
Fleet Compliance Annual Report: Model Year 2017, Fiscal Year 2018
3/27/2019
This annual report of the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, which ensures compliance with DOE regulations covering state government and alternative fuel provider fleets pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), as amended, provides fleet compliance results for manufacturing year 2017 / fiscal year 2018.
Fleet Compliance Annual Report: Model Year 2016, Fiscal Year 2017
3/27/2019
This annual report of the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, which ensures compliance with DOE regulations covering state government and alternative fuel provider fleets pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), as amended, provides fleet compliance results for manufacturing year 2016 / fiscal year 2017.
Travel and Energy Implications of Ridesourcing Service in Austin, Texas
3/25/2019
This paper identifies major aspects of ridesourcing services provided by transportation network companies (TNCs), which influence vehicles miles traveled and energy use. Using detailed data on approximately 1.5 million individual rides provided by RideAustin, researchers quantify the additional miles TNC drivers travel and the relative fuel efficiency of the vehicles compared to the average vehicle registered in Austin to estimate the net effect of ridesourcing on energy use.
Authors: Wenzel, T.; Rames, C.; Kontou, E.; Henao, A.
Technology Solutions to Mitigate Electricity Cost for Electric Vehicle DC Fast Charging
3/16/2019
Widespread adoption of alternative fuel vehicles is being hindered by high vehicle costs and refueling or range limitations. For plug-in electric vehicles, direct current (DC) fast charging is proposed as a solution to support long-distance travel and relieve range anxiety. However, DC fast charging has also been shown to be potentially more expensive compared to residential or workplace charging. In particular, electricity demand charges can significantly impact electricity cost for fast charging applications. This study explores technological solutions that can help reduce the electricity cost for DC fast charging.
Authors: Muratori, M.; Elgqvist, E.; Cutler, D.; Eichman, J.; Salisbury, S.; Fuller, Z.; Smart, J.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be downloaded from the Elsevier ScienceDirect website.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, January 2019
3/14/2019
The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for January 2019 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between January 1, 2019 and January 15, 2019, 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 2 reports that the nationwide average price (all amounts are per gallon) for regular gasoline has decreased 64 cents from $2.91 to $2.27; diesel decreased 38 cents from $3.36 to $2.98; CNG is unchanged at $2.19; ethanol (E85) decreased 39 cents from $2.38 to $1.99; propane increased 4 cents from $2.87 to $2.91; and biodiesel (B20) decreased 29 cents from $3.09 to $2.80.
According to Table 3, CNG is $.08 less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is $0.32 more than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.
Authors: Bourbon, E.
On-Road Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Evaluation: Overview
3/14/2019
This report presents an overview of an evaluation of on-road fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The project addressed the need for current, on-road FCEV data and sought to validate improved performance and longer durability from comprehensive sets of early FCEVs, including early market vehicles. This report provides an overview of the evaluation project and partners, describes NREL's evaluation approach, and presents a summary of the results. Detailed results for durability, fuel economy, deployment and driving behavior, and specifications are published in separate reports.
Authors: Kurtz, J.; Sprik, S.; Saur. G.; Onorato, S.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, October 2018
3/13/2019
The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for October 2018 is a quarterly report on the prices of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue describes prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders between October 1, 2018 and October 15, 2018, 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 2 reports that the nationwide average price (all amounts are per gallon) for regular gasoline has increased 3 cents from $2.88 to $2.91; diesel increased 12 cents from $3.24 to $3.36; CNG decreased 3 cents from $2.22 to $2.19; ethanol (E85) increased 3 cents from $2.35 to $2.38; propane increased 6 cents from $2.81 to $2.87; and biodiesel (B20) increased 3 cents from $3.06 to $3.09.
According to Table 3, CNG is $.72 less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is $0.19 more than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.
Authors: Bourbon, E.
The Case of E15
3/8/2019
This report is a comprehensive assessment, presented as individual case studies, of retailer experiences selling E15, including the decision process, requirements to sell E15, equipment configurations, marketing strategy and consumer response.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Driving and Fueling Behavior
3/6/2019
The objectives of this project are to validate hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in real-world settings and to identify the current status and evolution of the technology. The analysis objectively assesses progress toward targets and market needs defined by the U.S. Department of Energy and stakeholders, provides feedback to hydrogen research and development, and publishes results for key stakeholder use and investment decisions. Fiscal year 2018 objectives focused on analysis and reporting of fuel cell electric vehicle driving range, fuel economy, drive and fill behaviors, durability, fill performance, and fuel cell performance. This report specifically addresses the topics of driving range, fuel economy, drive and fill behaviors, and fill performance.
Authors: Kurtz, J.; Sprik, S.; Saur, G.; Onorato, S.
Impacts of Ridesourcing on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Parking Demand, Transportation Equity, and Travel Behavior
3/1/2019
Ride-haling platforms, such as Uber and Lyft, are changing the ways people travel and are critical to forecasting mode choice demands and providing adequate infrastructure. Despite widespread claims that these services help reduce driving and the need for parking, there is little research on these topics. This research project collects quantitative and qualitative data on ride-hailing and analyzes the impacts of ride-hailing on deadheading, vehicle occupancy, mode replacement, vehicle miles traveled, and parking. The dataset includes actual travel attributes from ride-hailing rides and travel behavior and socio-demographics from 311 passenger surveys.
Authors: Henao, A.; Marshall, W.; Janson, B.
Meeting 2025 Zero Emission Vehicle Goals: An Assessment of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Maryland
2/20/2019
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been enlisted to conduct a statewide assessment of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for Maryland to meet its goal of supporting 300,000 zero emission vehicles by 2025. NREL's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection Tool (EVI-Pro) was used to generate scenarios of statewide charging infrastructure to support consumer plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption based on travel patterns provided by INRIX (a commercial mapping/traffic company) that are used to characterize regional travel in Maryland and to anticipate future demand for PEV charging. Results indicate that significant expansion of Maryland's electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be required to support the state's PEV goal for 2025. Analysis shows that a fleet of 300,000 PEVs will require 17,400 workplace Level 2 plugs, 9,300 public Level 2 plugs, and 1,000 fast charge plugs. These estimates assume that future PEVs will be driven in a manner consistent with present day gasoline vehicles and that most charging will happen at residential locations. A sensitivity study explores edge cases pertaining to several assumptions, highlighting factors that heavily influence the projected infrastructure requirements. Variations in the makeup of the PEV fleet, evolving consumer charging preferences, and availability of residential charging are all shown to influence 2025 infrastructure requirements.
Authors: Moniot, M.; Rames, C.; Wood, E.
Assessing Ride-Hailing Company Commitments to Electrification
2/7/2019
This briefing assesses electric vehicle adoption among five of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies. It discusses company-specific electric vehicle adoption, examines plans for future growth, and catalogs the unique actions that companies are exploring to promote electric ride-hailing on their platforms.
Authors: Slowik, P.; Fedirko, L.; Lutsey, N.
Next-Generation Grid Communications for Residential Plug-in Electric Vehicles
1/25/2019
As residential plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging loads increase, they represent significant contributions to local distribution circuits, and if not managed, can have negative effects on local electricity grid stability. For residential PEV participation to be effective for grid stabilization, it is key to have detailed data collection, coordination at charging stations owned by different parties, sensitivity to each driver’s needs and preferences, and real-time understanding of each vehicle’s state of charge or charge necessary. This pilot project tested the technology ecosystems required to handle adding significant PEV load to the grid.
Authors: Patadia, S.; Rodine, C.