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Life-Cycle Analysis of Shale Gas and Natural Gas
12/1/2011
The technologies and practices that have enabled the recent boom in shale gas production have also brought attention to the environmental impacts of its use. Using the current state of knowledge of the recovery, processing, and distribution of shale gas and conventional natural gas, we have estimated up-to-date, life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we have developed distribution functions for key parameters in each pathway to examine uncertainty and identify data gaps - such as methane emissions from shale gas well completions and conventional natural gas liquid unloadings - that need to be addressed further. Our base case results show that shale gas life-cycle emissions are 6% lower than those of conventional natural gas. However, the range in values for shale and conventional gas overlap, so there is a statistical uncertainty regarding whether shale gas emissions are indeed lower than conventional gas emissions. This life-cycle analysis provides insight into the critical stages in the natural gas industry where emissions occur and where opportunities exist to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of natural gas.
Authors: Clark, C.E.; Han, J.; Burnham, A.; Dunn, J.B.; Wang, M.
Well-to-Wheels Analysis of Fast Pyrolysis Pathways with GREET
11/1/2011
The pyrolysis of biomass can help produce liquid transportation fuels with properties similar to those of petroleum gasoline and diesel fuel. Argonne National Laboratory conducted a life-cycle (i.e., well-to-wheels [WTW]) analysis of various pyrolysis pathways by expanding and employing the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model. The WTW energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the pyrolysis pathways were compared with those from the baseline petroleum gasoline and diesel pathways. Various pyrolysis pathway scenarios with a wide variety of possible hydrogen sources, liquid fuel yields, and co-product application and treatment methods were considered. At one extreme, when hydrogen is produced from natural gas and when bio-char is used for process energy needs, the pyrolysis-based liquid fuel yield is high (32% of the dry mass of biomass input). The reductions in WTW fossil energy use and GHG emissions relative to those that occur when baseline petroleum fuels are used, however, is modest, at 50% and 51%, respectively, on a per unit of fuel energy basis. At the other extreme, when hydrogen is produced internally via reforming of pyrolysis oil and when bio-char is sequestered in soil applications, the pyrolysis-based liquid fuel yield is low (15% of the dry mass of biomass input), but the reductions in WTW fossil energy use and GHG emissions are large, at 79% and 96%, respectively, relative to those that occur when baseline petroleum fuels are used. The petroleum energy use in all scenarios was restricted to biomass collection and transportation activities, which resulted in a reduction in WTW petroleum energy use of 92-95% relative to that found when baseline petroleum fuels are used. Internal hydrogen production (i.e., via reforming of pyrolysis oil) significantly reduces fossil fuel use and GHG emissions because the hydrogen from fuel gas or pyrolysis oil (renewable sources) displaces that from fossil fuel na
Authors: Han, J.; Elgowainy, A.; Palou-Rivera, I.; Dunn, J.B.; Wang, M.Q.
U.S. Virgin Islands Transportation Petroleum Reduction Plan
9/1/2011
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has set a goal to reduce petroleum use 60% by 2025 compared to the business-as-usual scenario. Ground-based transportation is responsible for 40% of USVI petroleum use, so the USVI and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) set up a Transportation working group (TWG) to devise a way to meet the 60% reduction goal in the transportation sector. This report lays out the TWG's plan.
Authors: Johnson, C.
Clean Cities Niche Market Overview: Refuse Haulers
9/1/2011
Many niche market fleets, which operate specially designed vehicles that serve very specific functions, are ideal for the adoption of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. One prime example is the refuse hauler sector, whose 136,000 trucks average only 2.8 miles per gallon, using more than 1.2 billion gallons of fuel annually in the United States. This sector could substantially decrease its petroleum consumption through the use of alternative fuel or advanced technology vehicles. Before adopting these technologies, a refuse hauler fleet should consider both the technologies' benefits and the fleet's individual needs.
Authors: Shea, S.
Clean Cities Annual Metrics Report 2009 (Revised)
8/10/2011
Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asks Clean Cities coordinators to submit an annual report of their activities and accomplishments for the previous calendar year. Data and information are submitted to an online database that is maintained as part of the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Coordinators submit a range of data that characterizes the membership, funding, projects, and activities of their coalitions. They also submit data about sales of alternative fuels, deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), idle reduction initiatives, fuel economy activities, and programs to reduce vehicle miles driven. NREL analyzes the data and translates them into gasoline reduction impacts, which are summarized in this report.
Authors: Johnson, C.
Guide for Identifying and Converting High-Potential Petroleum Brownfield Sites to Alternative Fuel Stations
5/1/2011
Former gasoline stations that are now classified as brownfields can be good sites to sell alternative fuels because they are in locations that are convenient to vehicles and they may be seeking a new source of income. However, their success as alternative fueling stations is highly dependent on location-specific criteria, how to prioritize them, and then applies that assessment framework to five of the most popular alternative fuels?electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, ethanol, and biodiesel.
The second part of this report delves into the criteria and tools used to assess an alternative fuel retail site at the local level. It does this through two case studies of converting former gasoline stations in the Seattle-Eugene area into electric charge stations.
The third part of this report addresses steps to be taken after the specific site has been selected. This includes choosing and installing the recharging equipment, steps to take in the permitting process and key players to include.
Authors: Johnson, C.; Hettinger, D.
Clean Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Engine Conversions; Final Rule
4/8/2011
EPA is streamlining the process by which manufacturers of clean alternative fuel conversion systems may demonstrate compliance with vehicle and engine emissions requirements. Specifically, EPA is revising the regulatory criteria for gaining an exemption from the Clean Air Act prohibition against tamperingfor the conversion of vehicles and engines to operate on a clean alternativefuel. This final rule creates additional compliance options beyond certification that protect manufacturers of clean alternative fuel conversion systems against a tampering violation, depending on the age of the vehicle orengine to be converted. The new options alleviate some economic and proceduralimpediments to clean alternative fuel conversions while maintainingenvironmental safeguards to ensure that acceptable emission levels from converted vehicles are sustained.
Project Results: Evaluating FedEx Express Hybrid-Electric Delivery Trucks
4/1/2011
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Fleet Test and Evaluation Team evaluated the 12-month, in-service performance of three Class 4 gasoline hybrid-electric delivery trucks and three comparable conventional diesel trucks operated by FedEx Express in Southern California. In addition, the tailpipe emissions and fuel economy of one of the gasoline hybrid-electric vehicles (gHEVs) and one diesel truck were tested on a chassis dynamometer. The gHEVs were equipped with a parallel hybrid system manufactured by Azure Dynamics, including a 100-kW alternating current induction motor, regenerative braking, and a 2.45-kWh nickel metal hydride battery pack. This fact sheet summarizes the results of the evaluation of the gHEVs.
Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future
3/30/2011
The Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future outlines a three-part strategy: 1) Develop and secure America's energy supplies; 2) provide consumers with more choices of alternative fuels and advanced and fuel-efficient vehicles, alternative means of transportation; and 3) innovate our way to a clean energy future by creating markets for innovative clean technologies that are ready to deploy and by funding cutting edge research to produce the next generation of technologies.
Project Startup: Evaluating Coca-Cola's Class 8 Hybrid-Electric Delivery Trucks
3/1/2011
Although the largest trucks?Class 8, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 33,000 lb?make up only 1% of the U.S. highway vehicle fleet, they are responsible for almost 20% of highway petroleum consumption. Improving theefficiency of Class 8 trucks through strategies such as alternative fuels and hybridization is a high-impact way to reduce petroleum consumption and associated emissions. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Fleet Test and Evaluation Team is evaluating the 12-month, in-service performance of five Class 8 diesel hybrid-electric delivery trucks and five comparable conventional diesel trucks operated by Coca-Cola Refreshments in Miami/South Dade County, Florida. In addition, the tailpipe emissions and fuel economies of one hybrid and one diesel truck have been evaluated on a chassis dynamometer at NREL's Renewable Fuels and Lubricants (ReFUEL) Laboratory.
FedEx Express Gasoline Hybrid Electric Delivery Truck Evaluation: 12-Month Report
1/1/2011
This document presents the final results of a technology evaluation of gasoline hybrid electric parcel delivery trucks operated by FedEx Express in and around Los Angeles, California. FedEx Express is a large commercial fleet that operates more than 30,000 motorized vehicles and has hybrid electric (diesel and gasoline) vehicles currently in service. FedEx Express has deployed 20 gasoline hybrid electric vehicles (gHEVs) on parcel delivery routes in the Sacramento and Los Angeles areas. These gHEVs (Figure 1) are built upon a Ford E-450 strip chassis, and each vehicle is powered by a Ford 5.4L gasoline engine and Azure Dynamics, Inc. (AZD) Balance Hybrid System. Additional vehicle information is discussed in subsequent sections, while the specifics of the hybrid system evaluated are presented in Table 1. FedEx Express was the domestic launch customer for the AZD Balance Hybrid electric product.
Authors: Barnitt, R.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Value Proposition Study
7/1/2010
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have been the subject of growing interest in recent years because of their potential for reduced operating costs, oil displacement, national security, and environmental benefits. The primary value of PHEVs to the consumer is their likelihood to markedly reduce fuel costs by substituting gasoline with electricity. However, PHEVs are expected to cost more to purchase than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), in large part because of the cost of batteries. Despite the potential, long-term savings to consumers and value to stakeholders, the initial cost of PHEVs presents a major market barrier to their widespread commercialization. The purpose of the PHEV Value Proposition Study (VPS) is to identify and evaluate value-added propositions for PHEVs that will help overcome this market barrier.
Authors: Cleary, T.; McGill, R.; Sikes, K.; Hadley, S.; Marano, V.; Ungar, E.; Gross, T.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State
7/1/2010
In 2009 the Washington State Legislature enacted a new law designed to encourage electric vehicles. To create a consistent regulatory framework that would help this industry grow across Washington State, the legislature required the Puget Sound Regional Council and Department of Commerce to develop guidance for local governments. To meet this requirement, a broad-based technical advisory committee made up of local governments, charging equipment vendors, utilities, ports, state agencies, and consumer interests was formed. The state's new electric vehicle law requires that all local governments in Washington State allow electric vehicle charging stations in most of their zoning categories. Allowing charging stations creates the need to address a number of issues beyond zoning. These include on-street and off-street signage, charging station design standards, parking enforcement, accessibility for all users, SEPA exemptions, and more. These issues are addressed in this document.
Authors: Technical Advisory Committee
NREL's PHEV/EV Li-ion Battery Secondary-Use Project
6/1/2010
Accelerated development and market penetration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) is restricted at present by the high cost of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. One way to address this problem is to recover a fraction of the battery's cost via reuse in other applications after it is retired from service in the vehicle, when the battery may still have sufficient performance to meet the requirements of other energy storage applications.
Authors: Neubauer, J.; Pesaran, A.
