Fuel Survey Idea

Jordan- In the interest of getting things moving with this project I agree that we should focus on a few choice alternatives in the transportation sector. These being the ones that will have the most impact on our current alternative energy resources in the future. If the group agrees I would like to explore further the alternatives you listed in your previous post. These being
- Hybrid and Fuel Cell
-Hydrogen
-P-Series fuels
Being that these three are seemingly the most realistic transportation alternatives in the future I agree we should begin research into the economics behind them, as well as environmental implications. If this is something that sounds interesting and comprehensive enough to base our research around I think we should head in that direction. At this point the alternative energy sector includes such a large number of experimental alternatives I feel it would be impossible to cover them all, unless that is what is expected of us.

For the time being here are some resources that expand on the notes you have provided for the aforementioned energy alternatives.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
This link is to the U.S Department of Energy. Hydrogen infrastructure is outlined by safety codes and regulations, equipment and advocacy. At the bottom of the page you can find links to demonstrations and evaluations of current hydrogen powered bus fleets and fuel cell technology programs.

HYBRID ELECTRIC
This link is also to the U.S Department of Energy dealing with Hybrid-Electric fuel alternatives in cars and vehicles. Discusses Electric Motor tech, regenerative Braking and fuel efficient system design including mild hybrids and full hybrid technology. On this page you can follow this link ?(http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/electric_basics_phev.html) to a page that deals specifically with plug in electric vehicle basics, fuel savings, tax incentives, tax credits and fueling options. This is good place to start when dealing with the economics of plug-in hybrid technology.

P-SERIES
Also from the Alternative & Advanced Fuels Data Center we have this link to an overview of P-Series fuels. Being that P-SERIES fuels were added to the Energy Policy act of 1992 they seem to be a relatively old alternative energy and used in limited quantity nowadays. It seems the problem with P-SERIES fuel alternatives is that they are currently not being produced in high quantities and probable wont be as other alternatives begin to develop. While P-Series fuels can be used almost exclusively in "flexible" fuel vehicles it seems alternatives are being more aggressively developed as complete power sources.

I would like to stick with these three as they seem to be the most realistic and information rich. if we can synthesize a report including the environmental and economic implications of each of these alternatives and somehow compare it to current trends I think we would have something worth looking at. Let me know how you guys feel about this idea.

(--Prof. O'Donnell) On a side note, please excuse my absence from class this week, I have been in bed with the flu.

Thoughts and Fracking

I am a bit confused as to how we are expected to assemble this information as far as a report or presentation- I know I would benefit from a clearer outline of what is expected of us as far as a completed assignment. We can gather all the information we need but I am still unclear as to where we are expected to go with it. That being said, I looked into the economic implications of fracking for gas and found these two articles-

Economics and potential energy impact of fracking in the U.S.

Hydraulic Fracturing Research study and implications, EPA

This is also a good article dealing with responsible expansion in the energy sector as well as a recently released EIA fracking report. There is really no end to information on alternative energies which is why I feel like I am running in circles on this. What is the endgame for this assignment?

Prof/Tom comment:

I think Jordan's recommendations should be followed.  In particular, you might look at how much natural gas is coming to be available soon due to shale gas and horizontal drilling and fracking technology.  It is a huge amount and raises, it seems, the possibility of quickly and rather easily making US cars converted to flex-fuel vehicles with natural gas along with  gasoline.

NOTE:  This research blog is seriously lagging behind in the work done here over the past month since it was established. Gotta get going!!  - Tom O'D.

Env Eco Research Project Notes

Jordan P.

4/5/11

The following are notes that correspond to the article link below on alternative fuels in energy conducted by the DOE. Although I am open to further exploring all the potentials listed, it seems that in terms of economically and ecologically oriented fuels our group might consider the following three as the most ecologically sound: Hybrid and Fuel Cell Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Hydrogen, P-Series fuels,

In terms of feasibility and industry that has a more economic potential for the short term it is then instructive to research Methanol,Natural Gas, and Propane

Indeed other fuels are listed, but my assessment of the DOE report on Alt Fuels, as evidenced by my notes suggests that perhaps these are our best leads.

My feeling is that after more extensive research on each of the aforementioned alternatives, we will have to assess ecological versus economical realities in further research. However for the time being the listed fuels above are good grounds for further research and if you have any corresponding objections or questions I am available via email pilaj732@newschool.edu or you can feel free to reference the article or my notes yourself.

Cheers

jp

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/alternate/issues_trends/altfuelmarkets.html

all that follows are notes:

*the article indicates that both ATF’s and AFV’s are increasing in usage

Dedicated: configured to run exclusively on one fuel

Nondedicated: can be bi-fueled, (separate on board storage systems for each fuel type) flexible, or variable fueled vehicles which have a single storage and combustion chamber and dual fuels which inject two fuels in to combustion chamber at once

EV’s- considered nondedicated…….hybrids, fuel cells and non-hybrids

Although the article cites conversion kits as a common method for users to get the specific type of AFV they need the article also explains that conversions have steadily declined and alternative fuels are seemingly on the rise

*LPG or Propane

A mixture of approx: 90% propane 2.5% butane and a balance of ethane and propylene

Requires a $1000-$2000 installation of conversion kit

Engines reportedly last 2-3X longer than gas or diesel engines

Although costs are steep initially, the long term benefit should indicate a large savings in energy expenditures

*Natural Gas

Mixture of hydrocarbons that are extracted from underground reserves

Or as a product of landfill operations

LNG Vs. CNG???look up

In use in Italy, Argentina and Russia……<900,000 in use…..perhaps we refer to these countries for further research.

Dedicated NGV’s (natural gas vehicles) cost +$3500 to $7000 as compared to their gasoline counterparts

NGV- signifigantly fewer exhaust emissions

Zero evaporative emissions

LNG has a high energy content and can travel further on less volume of fuel than normal vehicles

Storage adds to cost

US has an abundant supply of natural gas- shall we begin to look where exactly for further research on the topic of integrating it into the market

As fueling sites open and people become interests they will certainly play a larger role in years to come.

*Ethanol

Us corn crop used to produce-

Usually blended into 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline

E10 is another common blend not an alternative fuel source though (10%ethanol /90% gasoline)

Utilized in flex fuel vehicles

Subsidized by tax

Growing utilization especially in rising vehicles that are capable of flex fuel use

DOE recently rewarded $1 million to help expand the domestic ethanol production aiming to utilize corn industry and ethanol industry

*Methanol

Most commonly made from natural gas

M85- 85%methanol/ 15%gasoline- generally used in light duty vehicles

M100 works well in heavy duty vehicles

Being tested as a source for hydrogen power in fuel cell vehicles

Mainly utilized in light duty flex fuel vehicles in combination with gas

Methanol FFV’s cost about the same as gas powered vehicles but lower energy content makes its range somewhat less potent

Future projections suspect methanol utilization in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Perhaps this is a good place to begin understanding what goes into fuel cell development?

*Electricity

All vehicles are capable of being electrically powered

Three types of EV-

1.Battery powered EV- onboard rechargeable motor Battery powered range is still rather small although technology continues to develop usually 50 to 130 miles

Bp replacements costs are high

Weather extremes will affect capabilities of engine range as well

Usually require a 6-8 hour charge time

2.Hybrid EV utilizes two sources of energy- e.g. gas to start engine and then electricity to maintain power

Longer range than standard BP and do not require the development of a charging infrastructure

Hybrid EV engines have a number of advantages e.g. less weight, minimization of energy loss while driving, decreased emissions, greatly increased fuel efficiency

3. Fuel cell use electricity from fuel cells instead of batteries (oxygen and hydrogen combo to create chemical interaction similar to battery power)

Fuel cell EV produces very little to no tail pipe emission driving range and capabilities of traditional engine

Still in developmental stage- leasing is available and tax incentives exist to help defray the cost

Future zero emission policies in a number of states indicate that EV’s will begin to develop at a faster rate

Consider the NECAR 4 and NECAR 5 prototype vehicles for further exploration

*Hydrogen

Not naturally found in nature therefore needs to be transformed from biomass, water, fossil fuels or other hydrogen rich materials

Cost is a current obstacle which prevents hydrogen from becoming a popular ATF

Technological and economical limitations contribute including safety, storage and production of fuel

However maintenance costs would be much lower

The article cites costly methods related to storage

DOE projects hydrogen as an alternative fuel to increase in the next 20 years

*Biodiesel

Biodiesel is an ester-based fuel oxygenate derived from renewable resources e.g. cooking oil, animal waste, soy beans etc etc

B100- 100% biodiesel can be used in its pure form with petrodiesel for use in diesel engines

However B20 is the most common mixture and has yet to be declared an alternative fuel

Heavy duty vehicles such as farm equipment or buses can ran on pure biodiesel

Consequently there are less emissions released then conventional diesel engines

Biodiesel as an alternative fuel is not expected to be significant however a federal credit program in place has significantly encouraged an increase in use especially in heavy duty vehicles

*PSeries

Developed by the Pure energy corporation P series fuel is regarded as non-petro-leum

Blended mixture of ethanol,( MTHF) and sometimes butane to combat cold weather it is considerably less polluting and can be derived from renewable resources

Designed to operate in Flexible Fuel engines

The demand for P-series fuels needs to increase before it becomes popularly used

2000 universtiy of lousiville conducted research on P series fuel and was given a grant to build a refinery for manufacturing

** DOE estimates that potentially one billion gallons of gasoline will be displaced annually by 2005- given that its 2011 its probably appropriate to check the status of both the refinery in Louisvill and the claim of the DOE

Department of Transportation

This is an important source: the DOT's homepage

Alternative Energy in Transportation

--Alternative Energy News is a great resource for new and upcoming energy technologies, most of which involve transportation. Particularly interesting pieces on how alternative modes of transport will rely on alternative energy sources in the future, that being said here is a link-

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/transportation/

--This next site might seem a bit juvenile but it does a great job covering the basics and also includes at the bottom of the home page a few links to external sites concerning engineering for alternative energy and government databases.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/transportation/index.html

--Department of Energy Page

http://www.energy.gov/energyefficiency/transportation.htm

Research Post 1 JP

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/alternate/issues_trends/altfuelmarkets.html

This report is an extensive look into the development of alternative fuels in the US market. The report is over ten pages long and includes the exploration of fuels such as: ethanol, methanol, and natural gas. I think following up on those alternative fuel reports would be a good place to start so that we don't get bogged down in to much of the market analysis that seems to accompany the report. Looking forward to research

-jp