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

mclewis@cem.utexas.edu