Algae as a Biodiesel Feedstock: A Feasibility Assessment
10/16/2007
Mass cultivation of micro-algae in Alabama, using less than 3% of the state's land area, could produce 3 billion gallons of biodiesel for transportation. The report analyzed three phases of algaculture in Alabama. One phase would involve digesting poultry litter and cattle manure in an anaerobic digester which would produce methane and carbon dioxide to power a diesel generator. The second phase would integrate algae ponds with catfish ponds to remove catfish litter. The third, and longer term, phase of algae farming would require capturing carbon dioxide from fixed and vehicle point sources in the state. The carbon dioxide from Alabama Power's fossil-fuel fired power plants would provide 50% of the state's transportation fuels via algae-to-biodiesel.
Authors: Putt, R.
Lighting the Way Toward a Sustainable Energy Future
10/1/2007
Making the transition to a sustainable energy future is one of the central challenges humankind faces in this century. Achieving sustainability objectives will require changes not only in the way energy is supplied, but in the way it is used. We must also change the world's energy supply mix which is currently dominated by fossil fuels. Because markets will not produce desired outcomes unless the right incentives and price signals are in place, governments have a vital role to play in creating the conditions necessary to promote optimal results and support long-term investments in new energy infrastructure, energy research and development, and high-risk/high-payoff technologies. Therefore, aggressive changes in policy are needed to accelerate the deployment of superior technologies. Recommendations include (1) placing priority on achieving much greater access of the world's poor to clean, affordable, high-quality fuels and electricity;(2) formulating policies at all levels, from global to village scale; (3) promoting enhanced dissemination of technology improvement and innovation between industrialized and developing countries; (4) aligning economic incentives, especially for durable capital investments, with long-run sustainability objectives; (5) adopting policies aimed at accelerating the worldwide rate of decline in the carbon intensity of the global economy; (6) accelerating the development and deployment of advanced coal technologies; (7)pursuing efforts to commercialize carbon capture and storage; (8) exploring potential retrofit technologies for post-combustion carbon capture suitable for large and growing populations; (9)introducing policies and regulations that promote reduced energy consumption in the transport sector; (10) developing alternatives to petroleum to meet needs of transport sector; and (11) implementing policies to ensure that the development of petroleum alternatives is pursued in a manner compatible with other sustainabilility objectives
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.
E85 and Biodiesel Deployment
9/18/2007
Oil consumption is growing rapidly while oil production is declining. We cannot "conserve" our way out of this dilemma. The transportation sector currently consumes 68% of global oil every year. We must develop new sources of transportation fuel for the U.S. and the world -- and we need to start now. Presentation discusses federal incentives for E85 and biodiesel; the Clean Cities Program; and the National Renewable Energy Lab's role in deployment of alternative fuels.
Authors: Harrow, G.
Historical Perspective of Clean Cities and Alternative Fuels Data Center Trends
9/1/2007
This report uses the vast amount of information contained in the AFDC databases to assess and describe historical trends in the alternative fuels industry. The objectives of this report are to document the development of the alternative fuels industry as reflected in AFDC data; and analyze the information and trends that may prove valuable in understanding past perspectives that could help advance the current and newly emerging technology market. The report analyzes information from the OEM vehicle offerings database; alternative fuel vehicle refueling stations; laws and incentives; hotline caller requests; and Clean Cities Coalition data.
Authors: O'Connor, J.K.
Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Summary of Experiences and Current Status
9/1/2007
This report reviews past and present fuel cell bus technology development and implementation, specifically focusing on experiences and progress in the United States. Table 1 is an overview of many of the fuel cell transit bus development projects in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and elsewhere, from early development activities to current demonstration efforts focused on bringing the technology toward commercialization.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Chandler, K.; Gikakis, C.
The U.S. DOE High Temperature Membrane Program
9/1/2007
Membranes used in current Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells require thermal and water management systems to control temperature and keep the membrane humidified. These components increase the weight and volume of the fuel cell system and add complexity. Estimates of the cost of the humidification systems for current membranes range from $5 to $8 per kW, while the thermal management system is estimated to cost $3 to $4 per kW. These costs must be reduced to meet the DOE transporation fuel cell system cost target of $30 per kW for the complete powertrain.
The cost and complexity of the thermal and water management systems could be minimized if the fuel cell operated at higher temperatures (up to 120 degrees C) and at lower relative humidity. Operation at 120 degrees C would also increase the tolerance of fuel cells to CO2, which would in turn reduce the cost of hydrogen from hydrocarbon sources because extraordinary steps would not be necessary to purify the hydrogen.
Authors: Kopasz, J.; Garland, N.; Manheim, A.
Water Usage for Current and Future Ethanol Production
8/23/2007
Moving and treating water consumes energy, and producing energy nearly always consumes water: the two are tightly linked. The good news is that conservation of one results in savings of the other as well. By understanding how much water is required to produce various kinds of energy, we can move toward more water-efficient energy production. In turn, recognizing how much energy is needed for various components of our water systems will help us identify opportunities for greater efficiency. This issue's articles look at both sides.
Authors: Aden, A.
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.
Fuel Savings/Emissions Reducing Technologies and Incentives: Use and Preferences Among Diesel Truck Owners in the Baltimore Region
8/1/2007
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) prepared this report for the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) based on survey input from diesel truck owners operating in the Baltimore Metro area. The purpose of the survey was to identify fuel savings and emissions reducing technologies which may be of interest. Financial mechanisms which could assist with the purchase of these technologies were also identified. Descriptions of the incentive-based programs being investigated are provided as is an analysis of survey responses and recommendations for identifying potential program participants for establishing an incentive program targeting diesel truck owners in the Baltimore Metro area.
Lessons Learned from the Alternative Fuels Experience and How They Apply to the Development of a Hydrogen-Fueled Transportation System
8/1/2007
DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy sponsored a two-phased study of 1) the success/failure of alternative-fuel vehicle programs and corresponding legislative policies, and 2)how well alternative fuels and vehicles met customer requirements and achieved economic viability. This study was undertaken in order to assess the role of government policy and its stability as it affects industry and consumer behaviors; optimize strategies related to the introduction of hydrogen in the end-user sector; and avoid repeating mistakes of previous transportation technology introduction programs.
Authors: Melendez, M.; Theis, K.; Johnson, C.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, July 2007
7/1/2007
The July 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 July 3, 2007 and July 13, 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 all fuel prices except propane and biodiesel have risen but the price increases are well below the increase in the price of regular gasoline. CNG is almost a dollar less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis.
Authors: Laughlin, M.D.
Learning Demonstration Interim Progress Report - Summer 2007
7/1/2007
This report discusses key results from DOE's Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Validation and Demonstration Project. The primary goal of this project is to validate vehicle and infrastructure systems using hydrogen as a transportation fuel for light-duty vehicles. The purpose is to validate the use of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen refuelign infrastructure under real-world conditions using multiple sites, varying climates, and a variety of sources for hydrogen.
Authors: Wipke, K.; Sprik, S.; Thomas, H.; Welch, C.; Kurtz, J.