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Objectives Explain how to implement green fleets Learn about incentives for converting to hydrogen fleets Learn about the availability and cost of hydrogen Identify the advantages of using hydrogen Understand how to safely handle hydrogen. Greening of Fleets. Why use green fleets?
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Objectives • Explain how to implement green fleets • Learn about incentives for converting to hydrogen fleets • Learn about the availability and cost of hydrogen • Identify the advantages of using hydrogen • Understand how to safely handle hydrogen
Greening of Fleets • Why use green fleets? • Reduce operating costs • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Improve corporate image
How to Implement Green Fleets • Get buy-in • Create long-term objectives • Avoid setting reduction goals in absolute numbers • Anticipate obstacles • Move slowly • Improve vehicle usage • Track and report progress
Hydrogen Fleets • Hydrogen is the simplest element in the universe • Can be used to create mechanical energy as other fuels • Hydrogen is mainly found bonded to oxygen (H2O) • Hydrogen ICEs or fuel cells • Similar to conventional vehicles Figure 1: The hydrogen atom has one proton and one electron. Source: NAFTC.
Used for combustion vs. fuel for vehicle’s fuel cell • No existing distribution network • Domestically produced, reduces emissions Figure 2: Hydrogen fuel cell bus. Source: NREL.
Natural gas reforming using steam accounts for about 95% of the approximately 9 million tons of hydrogen produced in the U.S. annually. Source: AFDC, 2011.
Incentives for Using Hydrogen in Fleets • Incentives • Partnership initiatives and pooled resources • Financial subsidiaries • Informational tools • Initial cost vs. federal and state incentives • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) • Clean Cities Program
Tax Incentives • Hydrogen development credits through the IRS • Incentives include: • Hydrogen fuel production • Development of infrastructure • Conversion of fleets to hydrogen fuel
Federal Grant Funding • Federal government = largest grant provider • U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
State Grant Funding • State Energy Office (SEO) • National Association of State Energy Officials directory • Alternative Fuels Data Center map • To find state-specific information, visit www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/state
Incentives for Hydrogen Production • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 • Fueling tax credit up to 30% • 30% tax credit for facilities that have the ability to manufacture hydrogen fuel
Hydrogen Availability and Cost • Challenges remain with cost-effective production, storage, distribution • Minimal demand outside research projects • More widely available vehicles lead to a more developed infrastructure
To find the nearest hydrogen station, visit the DOE’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator at: www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations
Production: Steam-Methane Reforming • Most energy-efficient, common method • Requires heat and high pressure • Methane is heated, combines with steam, hydrogen is released • Only waste products are carbon dioxide and heat
Production: Electrolysis • Electrolysis = splitting of water molecules • Half as efficient as steam reforming • If renewable energy is used to split water molecules, hydrogen production and utilization becomes a carbon neutral process
Onsite Production • Least expensive, most efficient method • Eliminates transportation issues • 70% of the U.S. population currently lives within 60 miles of a hydrogen generating facility
Hydrogen price depends upon: • Production • Infrastructure development • Transportation • Storage Figure 4: Hydrogen and gasoline cost comparison, 2009-2012. Source: AFDC.
Hydrogen Advantages • Produced domestically • Eliminates localized emissions of CO, HC, PM, and CO2 • Creates jobs in research and development fields • Will create new jobs in vehicle and fueling system production
Harmless if spilled or released on land or in water • Nontoxic • Vehicles offer the same performance as conventional vehicles • Reduces dependence on foreign oil
Things to Consider • Limited availability • Lower energy density by volume, greater energy density by mass compared to gasoline – larger storage tank requirements • Currently produced from methane, which is not renewable • Uses energy from polluting sources during production
Hydrogen Performance and Safety • Major considerations before large-scale implementation of hydrogen fuel • Utilization should not sacrifice operating performance • Fuel must be a safe alternative
Performance • ICE • Wide flammability range – fuel will burn over a broad mixture range • Dedicated vehicles will return better performance than conventional vehicles • Alterations to fuel management and timing system may be required • Vehicles produce little to no local emissions
Fuel Cells • Vehicles produce only heat and water • Torque characteristics allow vehicles to have greater acceleration • Quieter operation than conventional vehicles • Fuel cells make enough energy to power all accessories • Fuel storage issues
Hydrogen Performance Summary Wide flammability range Can be used with high compression, efficient engines No local emissions when used with fuel cells Only NOx emission when used with ICEs A well designed H2 vehicle will have comparable performance as compared to conventional vehicles
Safety • Extremely safe for the environment • Combustion does not produce harmful emissions • Fuel is highly flammable – flame is invisible in daylight • Buoyancy allows spilled fuel to quickly rise into the atmosphere • Specified safety training
Safety • Cylinder Inspections • Tanks should be inspected by trained professionals • Fuel transportation Figure 5 (left): Hazardous material description identification number UN 1049 placard for gaseous hydrogen. Source: USDOT, PHMSA. Figure 6 (right): Hazardous material description identification number UN 1966 for liquid hydrogen. Source: USDOT, PHMSA.
Safety • Placards/markings for fueling locations • Allow first responders/emergency crews to respond appropriately Figure 7 (left): NFPA 704 hazard placard for gaseous hydrogen. Source: NFPA. Figure 8 (right): NFPA 704 hazard placard for liquid hydrogen. Source: NFPA.
Hydrogen Safety Summary Decreased greenhouse gas emissions Dissipates quickly Low risk of environmental damage in accidents Nontoxic and non-carcinogenic Technicians working with hydrogen as a pressurized gas or cryogenic liquid should be properly trained
Test Your Knowledge • True or False: The cost of hydrogen for use as a vehicle fuel has significantly decreased in the past few years. • Steam reformation is a common method to produce pure H2 from natural gas/methane (CH4). • True or False: Hydrogen may only be used with fuel cells to produce power for vehicle propulsion. • List two of the cost factors that are important when examining hydrogen as an alternative fuel. • True or False: Hydrogen has a greater energy density by mass when compared to conventional gasoline.