The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs
1/1/2004
This 374-page report assesses the current state of technology for producing hydrogen from a variety of energy sources; estimates current and projected future costs, CO2 emissions and energy efficiencies for hydrogen technologies; considers scenarios for the potential penetration of hydrogen into the economy and associated impacts on oil imports and CO2 gas emissions; addresses hydrogen distribution, storage and dispensation; reviews the U.S. DOE's research, development and demonstration (RD&D) plan for hydrogen; and makes recommendations to the DOE and RD&D, including directions, priorities and strategies.
Notes: Copies of this document can be purchased from the National Academies Press Websites at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10922
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - December 30, 2003
12/30/2003
This is the tenth issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on the price 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 during the weeks of December 1, and December 8, 2003, with comparisons to the prices in the previous Price Report, which were collected in February 2003.
Authors: Lott, M.
The Economic Costs of Fuel Economy Standards Versus a Gasoline Tax
12/1/2003
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the Congress in policies that would reduce gasoline consumption in the United States. That interest has been motivated primarily by concerns about the nation's energy security and about the risk that carbon emissions, 20 percent of which come from gasoline consumption, may affect the Earth's climate. This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) studyprepared at the request of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Workscompares the economic costs of two methods for reducing gasoline consumption: raising the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger vehicles and increasing the federal tax on gasoline. In analyzing CAFE standards, the study also estimates the potential cost savings from allowing automakers to trade fuel economy credits with one another as a way of complying.
The study breaks down the costs that each of the alternative policies would impose on both producers and consumers. Further, it discusses the prospects for CAFE standards to improve social welfare given that the existing gasoline tax also provides consumers an incentive to buy more-fuel-efficient vehicles. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, this study makes no recommendations.
Authors: Austin, D.; Dinan, T.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Congressional Budget Office Website at: ftp://ftp.cbo.gov/49xx/doc4917/12-24-03_CAFE.pdf.
Roadmap for Agriculture Biomass Feedstock Supply in the United States
11/30/2003
The Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee set forth a goal that biomass will supply 5% of the nation's power, 20% of transportation fuels, and 25% of chemicals by 2030. These combined goals are approximately equivalent to 30% of the current petroleum consumption. The benefits of a robust biorefinery industry supplying this amount of domestically produced power, fuels, and products is considerable, including decreased demand for imported oil, revenue to the depressed agriculture industry, and revitalized rural economies. A consistent supply of high quality, low cost feedstock is vital in achieving this goal. This biomass roadmap defines the research and development path towards supplying the feedstock needs of the biorefinery and achieving the important national goals set for biomass.
Authors: INEEL
Travel Matters: Mitigating Climate Change with Sustainable Surface Transportation
11/7/2003
TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 93: Travel Matters - Mitigating Climate Change with Sustainable Surface Transportation presents information on climate change and examines how greenhouse gas emissions from transportation may be reduced. The report also looks at the capacity of public transportation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Authors: Feigon, S.; Hoyt, D.; McNally, L.; Mooney-Bullock, R.; Campbell, S.; Leach, D.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the Transportation Research Board Website at: http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?ID=2071
Fuel Cell Transit Buses:ThunderPower Bus Evaluation at SunLine Transit Agency
11/1/2003
This report provides an overview of the ThunderPower fuel cell bus demonstration at SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California. Under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluated the bus while it was at SunLine for six months in late 2002 and early 2003.
Challenges and Experiences with Electric Propulsion Transit Buses in the United States
11/1/2003
This document provides background for transit agencies and other fleets that are considering the use of electric propulsion technologies. It tells potential users what to expect and what to plan for when implementing vehicles with electric propulsion systems (such as dedicated electric vehicles, hybrids, and even fuel cells) into their fleets. This document also addresses the unique issues that electrical integration can pose for fleet personnel and points to the similarities between implementing electric propulsion and any other significant new technology.
Authors: Eudy, L.; Gifford, M.
Biomass Rapid Analysis Network
10/31/2003
Helping the emerging biotechnology industry develop new tools and methods for real-time analysis of biomass feedstocks, process intermediates, and biomass-derived materials
Authors: NREL
The Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle Activity
9/1/2003
The Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGNGV) R&D activity is leading important advances in natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology. NGNGV Phase I engine research projects demonstrated NOx emissions well below EPA 2007 levels, and tow projects met EPA 2010 levels in medium-duty engines. NGNGV Phase II engine and vehicle projects covering a range of power and torque ratings are targeted to achieve EPA 2007/2010 emission levels in 2005. In addition, gaseous fuel expertise gained through the NGNGV activity and other government and industry NGV and infrastructure efforts is aiding the transition to a future transportation scenario based on hydrogen.
Safety and Performance Assessment of Ethanol/Diesel Blends (E-Diesel)
9/1/2003
In this study, TIAX performed a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to evaluate the relative safety risks and performance risks of E-diesel use compared to standard diesel fuel use. The fuel use process evaluated included the preparation, transportation, fleet vehicle fueling station storage, and use of E-diesel. Only the use of E-diesel fuel containing up to 15% ethanol in heavy-duty vehicle fleets was evaluated.
Authors: Waterland,L.R.; Venkatesh, S.; Unnasch, S.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Federal Technology Alert
9/1/2003
This Federal Technology Alert describes the Federal government's plans and progress in meeting the goals for AFVs stated in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) and Executive Order 13149. It describes the types of alternative fuels and AFVs currently available; lists actual and potential uses in Federal fleets; makes some general recommendations, which vary according to a facility's needs and capabilities; and presents some field experiences to date.
SunLine Test Drives Hydrogen Bus
8/1/2003
This evaluation is one of several DOE projects that support the research and development of highly efficient, low- or zero-emission fuel cell power systems, which serve as an alternative to internal combustion engines. The demonstration is consistent with the Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Infrastructure Technologies (HFC&IT) goal of having advanced technology vehicles enter the marketplace by 2010.