Operational Evaluation of Emissions and Fuel Use of B20 Versus Diesel Fueled Dump Trucks
9/30/2005
NCDOT is proceeding with the use of alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs), including biodiesel-fueled medium duty trucks. A significant number of counties in North Carolina will be designated for non-attainment for both ozone and particulate matter under forthcoming Federal environmental standards. Diesel vehicles contribute substantially to statewide emissions of NOx,an ozone precursor, and to particulate matter. NCDOT is conducting a pilot study to demonstrate the use of biodiesel (e.g., B20) fuel on approximately 1,000 vehicles in selected areas of the state; there are plans to extend the use of B20 fuel to a much larger number of vehicles in all 100 counties in North Carolina. There is a need for empirical quantification and comparison of emissions, fuel economy, and vehicle operation on both conventional and biodiesel fuels. Furthermore, there is a need for detailed insight into factors influencing both emissions and fuel consumption on a second-by-second basis in order to develop recommendations for improved operation to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The objectives of this project are to: (1) characterize baseline real-world in-use on-road emissions of selected heavy duty diesel vehicles, including those fueled with B20 biodiesel and petroleum diesel, during normal duty cycles; (2)characterize the episodic nature of emissions and fuel use; (3) identify factors responsible for variability in emissions and fuel use, with specific focus on factors leading to episodes of high emissions and fuel use; and (4) develop recommended strategies for reducing the frequency and duration of high emissions and fuel use episodes.
Authors: Frey, H.C.; Kim, K.
Energy Storage Systems Considerations for Grid-Charged Hybrid Electric Vehicles
9/7/2005
This paper calculates battery power and energy requirements for grid-charged hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with different operating strategies. It considers the traditional all-electric-range-based operating concept and shows that this strategy can require a larger, more expensive battery due to the simultaneous requirement for high energy and power. It then proposes an alternative "electric-assist" operating concept for grid-charged HEVs to enable the use of a smaller, less costly battery.
Authors: Markel, T.; Simpson, A.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - September 2005
9/1/2005
The September 2005 issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report is a quarterly report designed to keep you up to date on the prices of alternative fuels and conventional fuels in the U.S. This issue summarizes prices that were collected in the month of September 2005 from Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other Clean Cities stakeholders.
Authors: Laughlin, M.
VTA, SamTrans Look into Future with Bus Demo
9/1/2005
This fact sheet provides information about the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Zero-Emission Bus Program. VTA is currently collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, & Infrastructure Technologies Program to evaluate the performance of three fuel cell transit buses developed by Ballard Power Systems and Gillig Corporation.
Heavy-Duty Waste Hauler with Chemically Correct Natural Gas Engine Diluted with EGR and Using a Three-Way Catalyst
9/1/2005
NREL and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) through separate agreements are funding a program with Mack Trucks Inc. to develop the next generation heavy-duty natural gas engine to be installed in a refuse hauler. Mack and Southwest Research Institute developed the E7G 12-liter lean burn natural gas engine to operate with stoichiometric (chemically correct) combustion and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). This engine was coupled to a three-way catalyst for reducing emissions. The objective of the project is to develop a natural gas engine with nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions of 0.5 g/bhp-hr and 0.01 g/bhp-hr respectively with the use of a three-way catalyst.
Authors: Reppert, T.; Chiu, J.
Alternative Fuel Driver Training Companion Manual
9/1/2005
In the summer of 2004, EPAct and Clean Cities worked together to develop a course to teach trainers how to educate fleet drivers on the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. This manual features the information presented in the classes, including the safe use of four alternative fuels: biodiesel, compressed natural gas, (CNG), E85, (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), and propane.
BSCL Use Plan: Solving Biomass Recalcitrance
8/31/2005
Saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass has long been recognized as a potential low-cost source of mixed sugars for fermentation to fuel ethanol or chemicals. Several technologies have been developed over the years that allow this conversion process to occur, yet the significant challenge remaining is to make the process cost competitive. For example, although total acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass has until recently been considered to be the most cost-effective process, it is still not competitive with petroleum and represents relatively mature technology with only modest opportunities for further cost reductions.
Authors: Himmel,Mike; Vinzant,Todd; Bower, Stanley; Jechura, John
Laying the Foundation for Biorefineries
8/30/2005
The 20th century was the century of the petrochemical economy. Biomass-derived fuels, chemicals, power, and materials will make the 21st centuryone in which domestic farmers and foresters help fuel as well as feed andhouse America. Advanced biomass conversion technology will play amajor role in eliminating the need for imported oil and the generation ofgreenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. As the only renewable sourceof carbon-based fuels and chemicals, biomass will be a critical componentin reducing oil imports and environmental burdens from relying on fossilresources for fuels and chemicals. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)is supporting technology development for biorefineries and other biomassconversion industries, and the National Bioenergy Center (NBC) is thefocal point for research to make this technology possible.
Authors: U.S. DOE Biomass Program
Energy Policy Act of 2005
8/8/2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) included measuring governing energy efficiency, renewable energy, oil and gas use, clean coal power, nuclear energy, and vehicles and fuels including the use of alternative fuels, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell buses, clean fuel school buses, automobile efficiency, and diesel emissions reduction.
Authors: Public Law 109-58, 109th Congress
Hydrogen Demand, Production, and Cost by Region to 2050
8/3/2005
This report presents an analysis of potential hydrogen demand, production, and cost by region to the year 2050. This analysis was conducted to (1) address the Energy Information Administration's request for regional hydrogen cost estimates that will be input to its energy modeling system; and (2) identify key regional issues associated with the use of hydrogen that needed further study. Hydrogen costs may vary substantially by region; however, to date, efforts to comprehensively and consistently estimate future hydrogen costs have not been assessed on a regional basis.
Authors: Singh, M.; Moore, J.; Shadis, W.
Overview of Advanced Technology Transportation, 2005 Update
8/1/2005
This overview of the 2005 transportation market includes hybrid, fuel cell, hydrogen, and alternative fuel vehicles. It covers vehicle sales, emissions, potential partners, advanced technology vehicle availability, and other factors. It also offers a "snapshot" of current vehicle technologies and trends.
Authors: Barnitt, R.; Eudy, L.
RTD Biodiesel (B20) Transit Bus Evaluation: Interim Review Summary
8/1/2005
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been working with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Blue Sun Biodiesel, and Power Service Products to evaluate the in-use performance of buses operating on B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel fuel). Nine mechanically identical 40-foot transit buses (five operated on B20, four on conventional diesel) are being compared over the same duty cycle, the 'Skip' route in Boulder, Colorado. In addition, laboratory tests compared the buses for fuel economy and emissions. This report summarizes the interim results for the period August 2004 through February 2005.
Authors: Proc, K.; Barnitt, R.; McCormick, R.L.