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Author: Mitch Russell Withers Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 63
Book Description
Alternative fuels have the potential to mitigate transportation's impact on the environment and enhance energy security. In this work, we investigate two alternative fuels: liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an aviation fuel, and middle distillate fuel derived from woody biomass for use in aviation or road transport. The use of LNG as a supplemental aircraft fuel is considered in the context of the Lockheed Martin C- 1 30H and C-130J transport aircraft. We estimate the cost of retrofitting these aircraft to use LNG and the savings from reduced fuel expenses. We evaluate the societal impacts of LNG within a cost-benefit framework, taking into account resource consumption, human health impacts related to air quality, and climate damage. We find that aircraft operators can save up to 14% on fuel expenses (retrofit costs included) by employing LNG retrofits, with a 95% confidence interval of 2-23%. Society can also benefit by 12% (3-20%) from LNG use as a result of improved surface air quality, lower resource consumption, and climate neutrality relative to conventional fuel. These results are highly dependent on fuel prices, the quantity and cost of the LNG retrofits, and the frequency and length of missions. Woody biomass harvested from old-growth forests produces a large carbon debt when used as a feedstock for transportation fuel. Managed forests are an attractive alternative for inexpensive biomass production with the potential to reduce this carbon debt. We study the effect of forest management practices on the carbon debt payback time resulting from harvesting woody biomass from managed forests for middle distillate fuel production. We also calculate the breakeven time in terms of radiative forcing, temperature change, and economic damages. We find that biofuels produced over a period of 30 years have higher CO 2 emissions than fossil fuels for 59 years, higher radiative forcing for 42 years, higher temperature change for 48 years, and higher cumulative discounted (1-2%) economic damages for more than 100 years. These damages never break even at discount rates above 2%. Payback times can be reduced by increasing the age at which biomass is harvested. When biofuel production is sustained indefinitely, greater climate benefits are achieved over the next 100 years by instead producing long-lived wood products like lumber.
Author: Mitch Russell Withers Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 63
Book Description
Alternative fuels have the potential to mitigate transportation's impact on the environment and enhance energy security. In this work, we investigate two alternative fuels: liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an aviation fuel, and middle distillate fuel derived from woody biomass for use in aviation or road transport. The use of LNG as a supplemental aircraft fuel is considered in the context of the Lockheed Martin C- 1 30H and C-130J transport aircraft. We estimate the cost of retrofitting these aircraft to use LNG and the savings from reduced fuel expenses. We evaluate the societal impacts of LNG within a cost-benefit framework, taking into account resource consumption, human health impacts related to air quality, and climate damage. We find that aircraft operators can save up to 14% on fuel expenses (retrofit costs included) by employing LNG retrofits, with a 95% confidence interval of 2-23%. Society can also benefit by 12% (3-20%) from LNG use as a result of improved surface air quality, lower resource consumption, and climate neutrality relative to conventional fuel. These results are highly dependent on fuel prices, the quantity and cost of the LNG retrofits, and the frequency and length of missions. Woody biomass harvested from old-growth forests produces a large carbon debt when used as a feedstock for transportation fuel. Managed forests are an attractive alternative for inexpensive biomass production with the potential to reduce this carbon debt. We study the effect of forest management practices on the carbon debt payback time resulting from harvesting woody biomass from managed forests for middle distillate fuel production. We also calculate the breakeven time in terms of radiative forcing, temperature change, and economic damages. We find that biofuels produced over a period of 30 years have higher CO 2 emissions than fossil fuels for 59 years, higher radiative forcing for 42 years, higher temperature change for 48 years, and higher cumulative discounted (1-2%) economic damages for more than 100 years. These damages never break even at discount rates above 2%. Payback times can be reduced by increasing the age at which biomass is harvested. When biofuel production is sustained indefinitely, greater climate benefits are achieved over the next 100 years by instead producing long-lived wood products like lumber.
Author: Pooja Suresh Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 86
Book Description
Municipal solid waste (MSW), comprising food waste, residential rubbish and commercial waste, has been identified as a potential feedstock for the production of alternative fuels. Conversion of MSW to fuel could displace petroleum-derived fuels to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation, and also avoid the GHG emissions associated with existing waste management strategies such as landfilling. This thesis quantifies the lifecycle GHG emissions and economic feasibility of middle distillate (MD) fuel, including diesel and jet fuel, derived from MSW in the United States via three thermochemical conversion pathways: conventional gasification and Fischer-Tropsch (FT MD), plasma gasification and Fischer-Tropsch (Plasma FT MD) and, conventional gasification, catalytic alcohol synthesis and alcohol-to-jet upgrading (ATJ MD). Expanded system boundaries are used to capture the change in existing MSW use and disposal, and parameter uncertainty is accounted for with Monte Carlo simulations. The median lifecycle GHG emissions are calculated to be 32.9, 62.3 and 52.7 gCO2e/MJ with standard deviations of 7.2, 9.5 and 13.2 gCO2e/MJ for FT, Plasma FT and ATJ MD fuels, respectively, compared to a baseline of 90 gCO2e/MJ for conventional MD fuels. These results are found to be sensitive to MSW composition, the waste management strategy displaced, plant scale and associated fuel yield, feedstock transportation distance and the co-product allocation method. Median minimum selling prices are estimated at 0.99, 1.78 and 1.20 $ per litre and standard deviations of 0.14, 0.29 and 0.27 $ per litre with the probability of achieving a positive net present value of fuel production at market prices of 14%, 0.1% and 7% for FT, Plasma FT and ATJ MD fuels, respectively. The sensitivity of these results to the discount rate, income tax rate, implementation of carbon price, feedstock cost, scale and process efficiency indicate that policy measures, MSW tipping fees and technological advancements can improve the economic viability of MSW fuels. Considering a societal perspective (e.g. social opportunity cost of capital, social costs of GHG emissions) increases the probability of positive net present value of fuel production to 93%, 67% and 92.5% for the FT, Plasma FT, and ATJ MD fuels, respectively.
Author: Daniel Sperling Publisher: Praeger ISBN: 9780899304076 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, energy policy has been a hotly debated topic. Governments around the world have struggled to respond to a changing energy market. Yet the policy-making process is all too often distorted by self-interest groups who are informed by narrow, technical research. The question addressed by this volume is one of the most timely and critical of the energy-related questions: How much longer can we rely on petroleum as a transportation fuel? This book, which includes a subset of papers commissioned for an unusual symposium (Alternative Transportation Fuels of the 1990s and Beyond, July 17-19, 1988), addresses the broader issues of transportation-fuel policy in regard to energy security, economic growth, and environmental quality. While many conferences have addressed the subject of alternative fuels, their scope has been intensive and narrow, focusing on a few specific areas in the spectrum of possibilities. This conference was the first in many years to offer such a broad exploration of alternative fuels. Presenters included influential executives and administrators from the Department of Energy, and the motor vehicle and energy industries; federal, state, and local governments; environmental groups as well as leading researchers in the fields of air quality analysis, motor vehicle technology, and energy policy. In addition to an introduction and conclusion by Daniel Sperling, a total of 17 papers are presented in this volume. What is most exceptional and exciting about this collection is the presentation of contrasting views and the sharing of this wealth of information with a broader audience. Examined here are global fuel strategy, ethanol fuels in Brazil, alternative fuels as a solution to the air quality problem, Chevron's view of the future of oil, and the role of government in promoting alternative transportation fuels. Methanol, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles are also discussed. In addition to the analytical papers, the volume also includes a short article representing the viewpoint of an environmentally minded citizen. This book should appeal to any individual involved or interested in this important area. Researchers will appreciate the opportunity to consider so many well-researched but varying perspectives. It will be essential--and perhaps should be required reading--for policy makers, providing them with an overview of the issues and helping them make more intelligent, effective, and strategic choices. For the general public--those who are affected by energy and transportation policies--it is a unique opportunity to gain a broad understanding of our transportation fuel options and their environmental and economic consequences.
Author: Daniel Sperling Publisher: Praeger ISBN: 0899304079 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, energy policy has been a hotly debated topic. Governments around the world have struggled to respond to a changing energy market. Yet the policy-making process is all too often distorted by self-interest groups who are informed by narrow, technical research. The question addressed by this volume is one of the most timely and critical of the energy-related questions: How much longer can we rely on petroleum as a transportation fuel? This book, which includes a subset of papers commissioned for an unusual symposium (Alternative Transportation Fuels of the 1990s and Beyond, July 17-19, 1988), addresses the broader issues of transportation-fuel policy in regard to energy security, economic growth, and environmental quality. While many conferences have addressed the subject of alternative fuels, their scope has been intensive and narrow, focusing on a few specific areas in the spectrum of possibilities. This conference was the first in many years to offer such a broad exploration of alternative fuels. Presenters included influential executives and administrators from the Department of Energy, and the motor vehicle and energy industries; federal, state, and local governments; environmental groups as well as leading researchers in the fields of air quality analysis, motor vehicle technology, and energy policy. In addition to an introduction and conclusion by Daniel Sperling, a total of 17 papers are presented in this volume. What is most exceptional and exciting about this collection is the presentation of contrasting views and the sharing of this wealth of information with a broader audience. Examined here are global fuel strategy, ethanol fuels in Brazil, alternative fuels as a solution to the air quality problem, Chevron's view of the future of oil, and the role of government in promoting alternative transportation fuels. Methanol, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles are also discussed. In addition to the analytical papers, the volume also includes a short article representing the viewpoint of an environmentally minded citizen. This book should appeal to any individual involved or interested in this important area. Researchers will appreciate the opportunity to consider so many well-researched but varying perspectives. It will be essential--and perhaps should be required reading--for policy makers, providing them with an overview of the issues and helping them make more intelligent, effective, and strategic choices. For the general public--those who are affected by energy and transportation policies--it is a unique opportunity to gain a broad understanding of our transportation fuel options and their environmental and economic consequences.
Author: Oliver Inderwildi Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 1447127161 Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 719
Book Description
Sustainable mobility is a highly complex problem as it is affected by the interactions between socio-economic, environmental, technological and political issues. Energy, Transport, & the Environment: Addressing the Sustainable Mobility Paradigm brings together leading figures from business, academia and governments to address the challenges and opportunities involved in working towards sustainable mobility. Key thinkers and decision makers approach topics and debates including: · energy security and resource scarcity · greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions · urban planning, transport systems and their management · governance and finance of transformation · the threats of terrorism and climate change to our transport systems. Introduced by a preface from U.S. Secretary Steven Chu and an outline by the editors, Dr Oliver Inderwildi and Sir David King, Energy, Transport, & the Environment is divided into six sections. These sections address and explore the challenges and opportunities for energy supply, road transport, urban mobility, aviation, sea and rail, as well as finance and economics in transport. Possible solutions, ranging from alternative fuels to advanced urban planning and policy levers, will be examined in order to deepen the understanding of currently proposed solutions within the political realities of the dominating economic areas. The result of this detailed investigation is an integrated view of sustainable transport for both people and freight, making Energy, Transport, & the Environment key reading for researchers, decision makers and policy experts across the public and private sectors.
Author: National Research Council Publisher: National Academies Press ISBN: 0309137128 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 388
Book Description
The transportation sector cannot continue on its current path: The volatility of oil prices threatens the U.S. economy, the large proportion of oil importation threatens U.S. energy security, and the massive contribution of greenhouse gases threatens the environment. The development of domestic sources of alternative transportation fuels with lower greenhouse emissions is now a national imperative. Coal and biomass are in abundant supply in the United States and can be converted to liquid fuels that can be combusted in existing and future vehicles. Their abundant supply makes them attractive candidates to provide non-oil-based liquid fuels to the U.S. transportation system. However, there are important questions about the economic viability, carbon impact, and technology status of these options. Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass provides a snapshot of the potential costs of liquid fuels from biomass by biochemical conversion and from biomass and coal by thermochemical conversion. Policy makers, investors, leaders in industry, the transportation sector, and others with a concern for the environment, economy, and energy security will look to this book as a roadmap to independence from foreign oil. With immediate action and sustained effort, alternative liquid fuels can be available in the 2020 time frame, if or when the nation needs them.
Author: Dileep K. Birur Publisher: RTI Press ISBN: Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 50
Book Description
This research report examines the economic and environmental externalities associated with the US transportation sector. The United States currently accounts for about 25 percent of world oil consumption, about 50 percent of which is imported. Achieving energy security by reducing dependence on imported oil has been the foremost challenge of several major energy-importing countries, including the United States. In this study, we explored the costs associated with energy security/cost of dependence on oil and estimated the environmental externalities associated with different types of transportation fuels based on a set of economic, environmental, and life-cycle analysis models. Our assessment of estimations on oil dependence costs indicates that several elements constitute the true cost of oil and not many studies have attempted to include all of these costs for various reasons. For analyzing the environmental externalities, we used a life-cycle analysis model; the FASOM-GHG model of agriculture and forestry; APEEP—an integrated assessment model to calculate the marginal damage of emissions; GTAP-BIO—a computable general equilibrium model to estimate land use changes; and the OSIRIS model to estimate the species extinctions based on deforestation. This study on assessing the externalities could provide a quantitative basis for policy initiatives pertaining to America’s future transportation infrastructure. This study suggests that there is a need to consider economic, environmental, and other societal costs within a holistic framework to assess relative costs and benefits and suitability of alternative transportation fuels that could play a role in meeting our future energy needs.
Author: Robert H. Beach Publisher: ISBN: Category : Electronic books Languages : en Pages :
Book Description
This research report examines the economic and environmental externalities associated with the US transportation sector. The United States currently accounts for about 25 percent of world oil consumption, about 50 percent of which is imported. Achieving energy security by reducing dependence on imported oil has been the foremost challenge of several major energy-importing countries, including the United States. In this study, we explored the costs associated with energy security/cost of dependence on oil and estimated the environmental externalities associated with different types of transportation fuels based on a set of economic, environmental, and life-cycle analysis models. Our assessment of estimations on oil dependence costs indicates that several elements constitute the true cost of oil and not many studies have attempted to include all of these costs for various reasons. For analyzing the environmental externalities, we used GREET, a life-cycle analysis model; the FASOM-GHG model of agriculture and forestry; APEEP—an integrated assessment model to calculate the marginal damage of emissions; GTAP-BIO—a computable general equilibrium model to estimate land use changes; and the OSIRIS model to estimate the species extinctions based on deforestation. This study on assessing the externalities could provide a quantitative basis for policy initiatives pertaining to America’s future transportation infrastructure. This study suggests that there is a need to consider economic, environmental, and other societal costs within a holistic framework to assess relative costs and benefits and suitability of alternative transportation fuels that could play a role in meeting our future energy needs
Author: Mitch Russell Withers
Author: Mitch Russell Withers
Author: Pooja Suresh
Author: Daniel Sperling
Author: 
Author: Daniel Sperling
Author: Oliver Inderwildi
Author: National Research Council
Author: Dileep K. Birur
Author: Ashish Sharma
Author: Robert H. Beach