2012 advisory panel advancing alternative fueled vehicles mr. michael c. lewis center for...
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2012 Advisory PanelAdvancing Alternative Fueled Vehicles
Mr. Michael C. LewisCenter for Electromechanics
The University of Texas at Austin12/4/2012
Vehicle Technology is Changing
Electronics/ControlsIT/Wireless/GPSBatteriesAlternative fuels
2012 Ford Mustang GT1965 Ford Mustang GT Tesla Model S
Advanced Vehicle Research
Electric and hybrid vehicles– Rapid on-route charging transit
buses– Fuel cell hybrid transit buses
Light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles– Hydrogen fuel cell utility vehicles– Hydrogen fuel cell terminal tractor
Natural Gas Home Refueling
How we plan to develop this field?
• Vision of role CEM can play• Who might our partners be• Near-term steps to achieve the vision• Key challenges• Longer term considerations
CEM’s Role in Vehicle Research
Predictive modeling and simulation
Prototype vehicle design and testing
Advanced technology demonstration and assessment
Outreach, Education, and Technology Transfer
Modeling/Simulation
Dynamic power systems modeling
Quickly evaluate vehicle configurations and routes
Customizable components and controllers
Avoid build and test approach
Proven ability to match vehicle performance and energy consumption within 5-10%
PRC Campus – Hybrid Mode Full Weight 5/29/2008
For Example: Long Beach Transit
FTA TIGGER award for all-electric bus fleet
Implement 10 electric buses for dedicated circulator route
CEM’s modeling and simulation was critical to – Formulating the bus RFP– Determining optimal charging scenarios
Bottom line is Cost/Mile– CEM modeling is helping LBT determine the
best approach for their application
Example: Onboard Range Extender or En-route Rapid Charging?CEM involvement on both fronts – fuel cells and rapid charging
CEM vision is to quantify the pros and cons of both approaches and determine the best approach for transit agencies
CEM Strengths/Niche
Highbay and machine shop
Skilled technicians and expert engineering staff
Access to UT professors and students
First and only permanent hydrogen fueling station in Texas
Dedicated hydrogen vehicle lab
Partners
Vehicle manufacturers–Proterra, Capacity of Texas, ZeroKar, Mahindra-Ampere
Battery, fuel cell, and storage manufacturers– Hydrogenics, Ballard, Valence Technologies, Vulcore
Non-profit agencies– Center for Transportation and the Environment, Gas Technology
Institute
National laboratories and government agencies– NREL, Argonne, TXRRC, SECO, TCEQ
Vehicle Applications
Light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles
Autonomous and unmanned vehicles
Energy storage and fuel conversion• Batteries, high pressure tanks,
compressors, reformers
Prime movers and vehicle architecture• Fuel cells, hybrids, motors
Vehicle Challenges
Range• Vehicle efficiency• Onboard energy storage
Fueling• Time to fuel/recharge• Hydrogen and natural gas availability
Recent ARPA-E Award
U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) – Methane Opportunities for
Vehicular Energy (MOVE)
• Focuses on reducing CNG vehicle barriers – 13 Awards totaling $30 million– CEM awarded $4 million for natural gas
compressor development
Natural Gas Resources
• Massive increases in the U.S. natural gas reserves over the past decade present an unprecedented opportunity for advancing the economic, national, and environmental security of the nation
• Significant technical and economic barriers exist that are limiting widespread adoption of natural gas vehicles
Reference: Funding Opportunity No. DE-FOA-0000672 CFDA Number 81.135
Natural Gas Vehicle Barriers
Fundamentally barriers arise from natural gas’ low volumetric energy density– Less than 1/3 of gasoline
Difficult to store in great quantities
Difficult to compress
Ultimate Barrier is Cost
• Assuming a 5-year payback at $2.00/GGE• Natural gas systems (storage, compression, etc.) must not exceed
$4200
Reference: Funding Opportunity No. DE-FOA-0000672 CFDA Number 81.135
UT’s Project w/ ARPA-E
Near-term Focus
ARPA-E project success– Natural Gas Industry and Partners
Transit bus demos– Onboard fuel cell or on-route rapid charge?
Collaboration with EV-TEC and other university groups
Marketing– ARPA-E project website and events– Publish papers
Long-term Outlook
Develop relationships with new sponsors and partners– COTA and F1
Further compressor development– Hydrogen and scalability
Explore fuel conversion technologies
Autonomous Vehicles
Key Challenges
Project cost-share– Several recent DOE opportunities were unrealized
Private funding sources– Recent and current projects are supported by
federal or state funds
Summary
Vehicle technology is changing and opportunities for CEM are abundant
These opportunities fit well with CEM’s expertise and strengths
New partnerships must continue to be developed
Contact Information
Mr. Michael C. LewisCenter for Electromechanics
The University of Texas at Austin512.232.5715