Advancing New Vehicle Technologies and Fuels
5/1/2009
The Vehicle Technologies Program under the U.S. Department of Energy is actively developing and accelerating the deployment of clean and efficient vehicle technologies, as well as renewable fuels. The Vehicle Technologies program works with industry, universities, and state and local governments to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and reduce the U.S. demand for petroleum.
Hydrogen Production Roadmap: Technology Pathways to the Future
1/1/2009
This Hydrogen Production roadmap was constructed by the Hydrogen Production Technical Team (HPTT) of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership to identify the key challenges and priority research and development (R&D) needs associated with various hydrogen fuel production technologies.
The goal of the roadmap is to facilitate development of commercial hydrogen production via various technology pathways in the near and long term. DOE?s current hydrogen cost targets are $3.00 per gallon of gasoline equivalent3 (gge) at fueling stations and $2.00 per gge at a central facility (also known as the ?plant? gate).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Options for Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles in Greensburg, Kansas
5/1/2008
After a devastating tornado that destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kansas in May 2007, plans were developed to rebuild the town as a sustainable community. This report focuses on outlining key success factors of infrastructure, alternative vehicles, and alternative and renewable fuels as part of an integrated energy strategy.
Authors: Harrow, G.
Federal Tax Incentives Encourage Alternative Fuel Use
5/1/2008
The U.S. government provides several tax incentives for purchasing alternative fuel, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles; installing alternative fueling infrastructure; and producing, selling, or using alternative fuels. The IRS has defined alternative fuels as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); compressed natural gas (CNG); liquefied natural gas (LNG); liquefied hydrogen; liquid fuel derived from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch process; liquid hydrocarbons derived from biomass including ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel; and P-series fuels. Current federal tax incentives are outlined in this fact sheet.
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
12/19/2007
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 put into law many of the provisions of Executive Order 13423. The goal of the EISA law is to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government.
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.
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.
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.
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.