Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum
11/1/2008
The Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum (NGVTF) supports development and deployment of commercially competitive natural gas engines, vehicles, and infrastructure. Led by the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commissino, the NGVTF brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to share information and leverage resources.
Full Fuel-Cycle Comparison of Forklift Propulsion Systems
10/14/2008
This report examines forklift propulsion systems and addresses the potential energy and environmental implications of substituting fuel cell propulsion for existing technologies based on batteries and fossil fuels. Industry data and the Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model are used to estimate full fuel-cycle emissions and use of primary energy sources. Also considered are other environmental concerns at work locations. The benefits derived from using fuel cell propulsion are determined by the sources of electricity and hydrogen. In particular, fuel cell forklifts using hydrogen made from the reforming of natural gas had lower impacts than those using hydrogen from electrolysis.
Authors: Gaines, L.L.; Elgowainy, A.; Wang, M.Q.
An Experimental and Modeling Study of the Flammability of Fuel Tank Headspace Vapors from High Ethanol Content Fuels
10/1/2008
An experimental and modeling study was done to determine the flammability of fuel tank headspace vapors as a function of ambient temperature for seven E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) fuel blends, two types of gasoline, and denatured ethanol at a low tank fill level. Samples in small, closed chambers were tested simultaneously in a cold chamber to determine flammability and pressure rise when ignited by a strong electric spark. Gasoline and E85 fuels were flammable below a critical temperature; above it, the vapor was too rich to burn. Denatured ethanol was flammable at room temperature and colder, down to a critical temperature; below it, the vapor was too lean to burn. The flammability limit temperature of the E85 and gasoline fuels related to the dry vapor pressure equivalent (DVPE), but DVPE did not reliably rank the low-temperature flammability hazards of fuel tank headspace vapors when conventional gasolines were compared with alcohol blends.
Authors: Gardiner, D.; Bardon, M.; Pucher, G.
National Biofuels Action Plan
10/1/2008
The Biomass Research and Development Board was created by Congress in the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, "to coordinate programs within and among departments and agencies of the Federal Government for the purpose of promoting the use of bio-based fuels and bio-based products by (1) maximizing the benefits deriving from Federal grants and assistance; and (2) bringing coherence to Federal strategic planning." This National Biofuels Action Plan is the result of that effort at coordination among Federal departments and agencies.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, October 2008
10/1/2008
The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for October 2008 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 2 and October 16, 2008, 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 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has dropped 87 cents from $3.91 per gallon to $3.04 per gallon; CNG has dropped 33 cents from $2.34 to $2.01; and ethanol (E85) has dropped 45 cents from $3.27 to $2.82 per gallon.
Authors: Laughlin, M.D.
National Survey of E85 and Gasoline Prices
10/1/2008
The objective of this study was to compare the retail prices of E85 (fuel containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) and regular gasoline nationally and regionally over time for one year between July 2007 and June 2008. The United States was divided into six sampling regions. A sampling plan of the approximately 1,200 E85 stations that were operating nationwide at the time was devised to allow statistically significant regional and temporal comparisons of the data to be made within the limited data collection budget available. Results indicate that the price of E85 appears to closely track that of gasoline, and the gap between E85 and gasoline appears to widen somewhat as the price of gasoline increases beyond about $3 per gallon.
Authors: Bergeron, P.
Clean Cities Annual Metrics Report 2007
9/1/2008
This report summarizes the Department of Energy's Clean Cities coalition accomplishments in 2007, including petroleum displacement data, membership, funding, sales of alternative fuel blends, deployment of AFVs and HEVs, idle reduction initiatives, and fuel economy activities.
Authors: Johnson, C.; Bergeron, P.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, July 2008
7/1/2008
The Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report for July 2008 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 July 21 and July 31, 2008, 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 reports that the nationwide average price for regular gasoline has risen 48 cents from $2.99 per gallon to $3.91 per gallon; CNG has risen 30 cents from $2.04 to $2.34; and ethanol (E85) has risen 40 cents from $2.87 to $3.27 per gallon.
Authors: Laughlin, M.D.
St. Louis Metro Biodiesel (B20) Transit Bus Evaluation, 12-Month Final Report
7/1/2008
The St. Louis Metro Biodiesel Transit Bus Evaluation project is being conducted to evaluate the extended in-use performance of buses operating on B20 fuel. The objective of this research project is to compare B20 and ultra-low sulfur diesel buses in terms of fuel economy, vehicle maintenance, engine performance, component wear, and lube oil performance.
Authors: Barnitt, R.; McCormick, R.; Lammert, M.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report
7/1/2008
This report describes evaluation of operations at Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) for three prototype fuel cell buses and six diesel buses operating from the same location. This is the third evaluation report for this site, and it describes new results and experiences from September through December 2007. One of the major objectives of the program has been to provide educational opportunities for students, the general public in the San Francisco Bay Area, and other interested parties including federal and state government officials. AC Transit has been working with a team led by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley to develop a curriculum to educate high school students and their teachers about hydrogen technologies. The operation of the fuel cell buses in revenue service also provides an opportunity for the public to experience hydrogen fuel cell bus technology.
During the data collection period (Apr 2006-Dec 2007), AC Transit operated the fuel cell buses more than 62,000 miles with an overall fuel economy of 6.23 miles per kg, which equates to 7.04 miles per diesel equivalent gallon. For comparison, AC Transit's diesel buses had a fuel economy of 4.2 mpg during the same period.
Authors: Chandler, K.; Eudy, L.
Statistical Analysis of the Factors Influencing Consumer Use of E85
7/1/2008
In 1997, eight E85 fuel pumps were installed at separate retail fuel stations in Minnesota to sell high-blend ethanol fuel to flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) owners. These state-level E85 efforts were part of larger federal and state policies and programs designed to promote the use of alternative fuels to displace traditional gasoline and diesel fuel. By the end of 2006, there were approximately 300 E85 fuel station locations. The amount of E85 fuel being used in the state was estimated at approximately 18 million gallons annually. Evaluating the sales patterns of E85 retail outlets can provide important information about consumer behavior regarding the use of E85, future E85 fueling infrastructure, and developing future alternative fuel policies and programs.
Authors: Bromiley, P.; Gerlach, T.; Marczak, K.; Taylor, M.; Dobrovolny, L.
SunLine Transit Agency Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report
6/1/2008
This report describes evaluation of operations at SunLine Transit Agency for a prototype fuel cell bus; a prototype hydrogen hybrid internal combustion engine bus; and five new compressed natural gas buses. This is the third evaluation report for SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California. This report provides an update to the previous reports (Feb 2007 & Sep 2007) and includes results and experience through March 2008. During the data collection period (Jan 2006 - Mar 2008), SunLine operated the fuel cell bus nearly 51,000 miles in service with an overall fuel economy of 7.19 miles per kg. For comparison, SunLine's CNG buses have an average fuel economy of 3.02 miles per gasoline gallon equivalent. During the same timeframe, the HHICE bus accumulated more than 43,000 miles with an average fuel economy of 4.34 miles per kg.
Authors: Chandler, K.; Eudy, L.
SunLine Begins Extended Testing of Hybrid Fuel Cell Bus
6/1/2008
After 15 years of CNG-fueled transit buses, SunLine Transit Agency in Palm Springs, California, is seeking to expand its commitment to environmentally friendly alternative power systems by testing a prototype hybrid fuel cell bus.
Long Beach Transit: Two-Year Evaluation of Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Transit Buses
6/1/2008
This report is part of a series of evaluations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE, through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has been tracking and evaluating new propulsion systems in transit buses and trucks for more than 10 years using an established and documented evaluation protocol. This report is part of a series of evaluations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE, through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has been tracking and evaluating new propulsion systems in transit buses and trucks for more than 10 years using an established and documented evaluation protocol.
Authors: Lammert, M.