Non-Conventional Fuels
News
April 1: "Hydrogen fuel cars: The expensive truth... "'The real number we have to pay attention to is half a million to a million dollars a car,'" says Alex Farrell.... Farrell is so much of an energy expert that on Tuesday, he addressed a room filled with them at Lawrence Livermore Lab. "'There is no one answer.There's a lot of things that are going to be the answer. Efficiency is part of the answer. Electric is part of the answer. Biofuels is part of the answer. And maybe hydrogen, too," says Farrell."—Wayne Freedman, ABC7 News, San Francisco
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle and Infrastructure Analysis
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TSRC is working with Toyota to assess the infrastructure needs for fuel cell vehicles and to analyze and test hydrogen vehicles and refueling stations. Two Toyota Highlander fuel cell hybrid vehicles have recently been delivered to TSRC for use in this project. Research topics include "smart" hydrogen refueling aided by information technology to locate and assure hydrogen fuel availability, analysis of full fuel cycle energy efficiency, and issues associated with developing next-generation higher pressure (10,000 psi/70 MPa) hydrogen refueling systems.
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Early Niches for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
This project explores early markets for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles based on placements of DaimlerChrysler "F-Cell" vehicles at UC Berkeley and at Caltrans. The project is examining the potential behavioral response to fuel cell vehicle technology and refueling infrastructure, for public/private fleet, carsharing, and other early FCV market niches.
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Ammonia as a Hydrogen Energy Carrier
Under a research project sponsored by Caltrans, we are examining the potential technical feasibility and economics for ammonia to be used as an inherently low-carbon hydrogen carrier to support stationary fuel cell power applications. The project is examining the prospect for near-term field operational tests of ammonia-based hydrogen energy projects in the context of Caltrans operations.
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Hydrogen Energy Station Analysis
In collaboration with the UC Davis Hydrogen Pathways Program, we are examining technical and economic aspects of "hydrogen energy stations" that would co-produce electricity for local building loads and/or utility grids and hydrogen for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The results of the analysis are informing efforts to develop future hydrogen stations for California's "Hydrogen Highway Network Initiative.
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Enhanced Oil Recovery
Research will focus on the environmental and economic implications of a transition to low-quality petroleum, using the history of California oil production as a case study. Specifically, an investigation of oil produced using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies, including production of oil from partially depleted conventional reservoirs as well as primary production of low-grade oil, such as the thermally-produced heavy oil of the central valley of California.
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Agroecological outcomes from biofuel feedstock production
Research related to policies that influence the environmental and social impacts of biofuels including food security, energy security, climate, and land use. Tools and methods include mathematical modeling of biogeochemistry and land use economics, as well as life-cycle assessment and agricultural field methods.
Also of interest is the role that biofuels can play in providing low-carbon liquid fuels from stable, distributed resources and the potential for policies such as California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard or various proposed environmental labeling standards to encourage cleaner pathways for biofuel production.