Consumer Views on Transportation and Energy
8/1/2003
This report has been assembled to provide the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) with an idea of how the American public views various transportation, energy, and environmental issues.
Authors: Steiner, E.
Fuel-Cycle Energy and Emission Impacts of Ethanol-Diesel Blends in Urban Buses and Farming Tractors
7/30/2003
About 2.1 billion gallons of fuel ethanol was used in the United States in 2002, mainly in the form of gasoline blends containing up to 10% ethanol (E10). Ethanol use has the potential to increase in the U.S. blended gasoline market because methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), formerly the most popular oxygenate blendstock, may be phased out owing to concerns about MTBE contamination of the water supply. Ethanol would remain the only viable near-term option as an oxygenate in reformulated gasoline production and to meet a potential federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) for transportation fuels. Ethanol may also be blended with additives (co-solvents) into diesel fuels for applications in which oxygenation may improve diesel engine emission performance.Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the fuel-cycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission effects of ethanol-gasoline blends relative to those of gasoline for applications in spark- ignition engine vehicles (see Wang et al. 1997; Wang et al. 1999; Levelton Engineering et al. 1999; Shapouri et al. 2002; Graboski 2002). Those studies did not address the energy and emission effects of ethanol-diesel (E-diesel or ED) blends relative to those of petroleum diesel fuel in diesel engine vehicles. The energy and emission effects of E-diesel could be very different from those of ethanol-gasoline blends because (1) the energy use and emissions generated during diesel production (so-called "upstream" effects) are different from those generated during gasoline production; and (2) the energy and emission performance of E-diesel and petroleum diesel fuel in diesel compression-ignition engines differs from that of ethanol-gasoline blends in spark-ignition (Otto-cycle-type) engine vehicles.The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) commissioned Argonne National Laboratory to conduct a full fuel-cycle analysis of the energy and emission effects of E-diesel blends relative to those of petroleum di
Authors: Wang, Michael; Saricks, Chris; Lee, Hanjie
The Energy Smart Guide to Campus Cost Savings
7/1/2003
With 4,000-plus accredited, degree-granting institutions of postsecondary education in the U.S. and its outlying areas, energy efficiency improvements are impacting millions of students, faculty and staff. NACUBO and APPA are proud to have worked with the United States Department of Energy to bring you this resource guide, which is intended to give our members realworld input on a number of critical energy efficiency issues facing us today. It's also meant to alert our members to new opportunities to save both money and energy, while strengthening your institutions' contributions to environmental responsibility. And as such, it is part of our continuing services to our members. Our goal, as always, is to bring you up-to-date information you can use to make the difficult and important decisions that you face every day.
On-Road Development of the C-Gas Plus Engine in Heavy-Duty Vehicles
6/1/2003
To advance NGV technology, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported on-road protoype development of the C-Gas Plus engine, beginning in November 2000. The goal of the project was to advance laboratory-developed technologies, on road and in service, for a natural gas truck and bus engine with significant improvements over the previous C8.3G natural gas engine. This goal was achieved. The C-Gas Plus was launched into production in July 2001 with increased engine ratings, reduced emissions, and lower cost compared with the C8.3G engine.
Flame Arrester Evaluation for E-Diesel Fuel Tanks
6/1/2003
An evaluation of various flame arresters for use with E-Diesel fuel (15% ethanol, 85% diesel blend) was conducted on four diesel fuel tanks selected to represent typical fuel tank and fill-neck designs. Multiple flame arresters were tested on each fuel tank for a total of 13 test combinations. It was determined that none of the flame arresters would prevent ignition from propagating from the fill port into the fuel tank while still allowing fuel flow for the saddle tank. It may therefore be necessary to design a fill neck as an addition to saddle fuel tanks in order to install more effective flame arresters.
Authors: Weyandt, N.; Janssens, M.L.
Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity: Overview of Advanced Technology Transportation Update for CY 2003
6/1/2003
Since fiscal year (FY) 2000, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA), formally the Field Operations Program, has produced an annual overview of the transportation market. The document, which covers energy use, vehicle sales, emissions, potential partners, advanced technology vehicle availability, and other factors, offers a 'snapshot' of current vehicle technologies and trends. DOE program managers use this document to plan test and evaluation activities that focus resources where they have the greatest impact.
Authors: Eudy, L.
Fuel-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Emission Impacts of Fuel Ethanol
5/8/2003
This presentation outlines the GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation) Model, and addresses the energy and emission effects of ethanol using graphs, diagrams, and various analyses. Version 1.8b includes calculations for ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane.
Authors: Wang, M.
National AFV Day Odyssey Executive Summary
5/1/2003
This is a overview report about the National AFV Day Odyssey which is a biannual celebration. Events were held at 51 locations in 31 states across the country, and participants included 20 National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFT) training centers, 19 Clean Cities Coalitions, and 12 other alternative fuels related organizations.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the National AFV Day Odyssey Web site at: http://www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org/documents/2002_executive_summary.pdf.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Transportation
5/1/2003
In the U.S. economy, transportation is second only to electricity generation in terms of the volume and rate of growth of greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of carbon dioxide, which accounts for 95 percent of transportation's GHG emissions, transportation is the largest and fastest growing end-use sector. This report evaluates potential CO2 emission reductions from transportation in the U.S. Measures considered include energy efficiency improvements, low-carbon alternative fuels, increasing the operating efficiency of the transportation system, and reducing travel. Highway vehicles should be the primary focus of policies to control GHG emissions since they account for 72 percent of total transportation emissions.
Authors: Greene, D.L.; Schafer, A.
Building a Bridge to the Ethanol Industry--Follow-Up Project Period of Performance: 2/22/01-12/31/02
4/30/2003
The first trial of the corn fiber pretreatment process has been completed. The data and operating experience for the pump, heat exchanger, coil, and centrifuge show the pretreatment of corn fiber in water is technically achievable and economically feasible. The goals of this trial include showing that the pretreatment process is scaleable to fit the existing process at Williams Bioenergy, that pilot-size equipment achieves the goals of pretreatment--at least 75% recovery of starch from the corn fiber, and testing the performance of pilot-scale equipment at or near operational conditions. These goals were met. Cellulose conversion was also significantly enhanced by the pretreatment process.
Authors: Ladisch, M.; N. Mosier, G. Welch, B. Dien
Funding Alternative Fuel Activities
4/1/2003
A wide variety of funding sources are available for alternative fuel activities. The Clean Cities Web site maintains updated information on funding resources and tips for pursuing those resources at www.ccities.doe.gov/funding.shtml. This fact sheet summarizes major funding opportunities and suggests avenues for finding additional funding.
An Emission and Performance Comparison of the Natural Gas C-Gas Plus Engine in Heavy-Duty Trucks: Final Report
4/1/2003
To advance NGV technology, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supported on-road prototype development of the Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) C8.3G Plus (C-Gas Plus) compressed natural gas engine, beginning in November 2000. The goal of the project was to advance laboratory-developed technologies, on road and in service, for a natural gas truck and bus engine with significant improvements over the previous C8.3G natural gas engine. This report summarizes on-road prototype development of the C-Gas Plus engine.
Authors: Lyford-Pike, E.J.