Clean Cities Around the World
11/1/2005
Clean Cities International (CCI), modeled after the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities initiative, facilitates the exchange of information on alternative fuels for the transportation sector to interested countries around the globe. The benefits of using alternative fuels are clearall can profit from cleaning the air, producing and using fuels domestically, and enhancing local economic activity. CCI seeks to use the successful experience in North America to help international communities realize these benefits.
Demonstration and Evaluation of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Transit Buses
10/25/2005
This report, written by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering for the Connecticut Department of Transportation and CTTransit, details the demonstration and evaluation of hybrid diesel-electric transit buses. The project goal was to identify the next generation of transit vehicles for future fleet replacement that are cost effective, reliable, produce fewer emissions, and have improved fuel economy compared to the standard heavy-duty diesel powered bus. Data was collected to produce an estimated life-cycle cost analysis, emissions information, mileage, fuel economy, power production, brake pad wear, and maintenance and repair costs. Bus operator and customer surveys were also conducted. Results were completed on Dec. 31, 2004. The results found the hybrid buses to be very reliable and to achieve 10% better fuel economy than their comparable diesel buses. All vehicle emissions in the study were the same. The hybrid buses had a lower life-cycle cost when the current FTA 80% purchase subsidy was considered.
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.
Updated Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Results of Fuel Ethanol
9/26/2005
In 2004, the U.S. used 3.4 billion gallons of fuel ethanol for blending with gasoline. Virtually all of it was produced from corn. The energy and environmental effects of use of corn-based ethanol has nonetheless been questioned. For example, a few researchers maintained that corn-basedethanol has a negative energy balance value (which means that more fossil energy is required to produce ethanol than the amount of energy in the produced ethanol) and results in increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to petroleum gasoline.Since 1997, the Center for Transportation Research of Argonne National Laboratory has been evaluating fuel ethanol?s energy and GHG emission impacts as part of its overall efforts of evaluating well-to-wheels energy and emission effects of various advanced vehicle technologies and transportation fuels. Argonne?s analysis, in agreement with many other recently completedstudies, concludes that corn-based ethanol achieves energy and GHG emission reduction benefits, relative to gasoline. This is mainly because of 1) improved corn productivity in U.S. corn farms in the past 30 years; 2) reduced energy use in ethanol plants in the past 15 years; and 3) appropriately addressing of ethanol?s co-products. Furthermore, Argonne concludes thatcellulosic ethanol to be produced from feedstocks such as woody or herbaceous biomass has much larger energy and GHG emission reduction benefits. This paper presents Argonne?s updated energy and GHG emission results of fuel ethanol in the U.S.
Authors: Wang, Michael
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.
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.
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.
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