Developing Innovative Low Emission Natural Gas Engine and Vehicle Technology for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Interagency consortium of natural gas vehicle research and development projects
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Recipient
Golden, CO
Recipient Location
$3,595,821
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
Cummins, Inc. is closing out their project, having achieved their target 10-16% efficiency improvement, low NOx emissions of 0.02 g/bhp-hr, and 23% lower capital cost compared to incumbent heavy-duty gas engines. Transient Plasma Systems, Inc. has completed their project and published their final report. It identified a potential breakthrough to reduce power requirements for its advanced ignition system that can lower costs and extend durability. US Hybrid is demonstrating CNG-hybrid trucks with two Southern California fleets on drayage routes out of the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Hueneme. GTI Energy is testing their CNG reciprocating piston expander/compressor with CNG and hydrogen and improving the design with improved valves and seals. The team is preparing for a demonstration combining the expander/compressor and smart dispenser controls to enable more cost-effective full fills.
View Final ReportThe Issue
The Gas R&D Program has funded projects leading to the commercialization of near-zero emission compressed natural gas (CNG) engines for heavy-duty vehicles. CNG vehicles fueled with renewable gas can provide near-term reductions in criteria pollutants and GHG emissions. Further improvements to engine efficiency and total cost of ownership are needed to compete with incumbent diesel technology.
Project Innovation
This agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) funds four projects with cost share from the U.S. Department of Energy and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The group of projects include: (1) Cummins, Inc. is developing a next generation high-efficiency CNG engine for heavy-duty trucks; (2) Transient Plasma Systems, Inc. is developing an advanced ignition system to improve durability and dilution tolerance of CNG engines; (3) US Hybrid Corporation is demonstrating CNG hybrid-electric drayage trucks; and (4) Gas Technology Institute is developing smart CNG station communications and low-cost precooling technology to improve refueling performance. Together, the projects aim to advance the state of CNG vehicle technology and improve its competitiveness with diesel.
Project Benefits
This project will develop technologies that can improve the competitiveness of natural gas vehicles compared to diesel vehicles by reducing total cost of ownership and improving efficiency. Commercialization of these technologies will maximize potential benefits of near-zero emission CNG vehicles and cost effectively reduce NOx and GHG emissions from the heavy-duty transportation sector.
Affordability
This project will focus on cost reduction strategies including engine redesigns to reduce system costs by 20 percent, advanced ignition to reduce maintenance costs, and hybridization to reduce fuel costs.
Environmental Sustainability
Improving the efficiency and performance of CNG heavy-duty vehicles will lead to reductions in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions.
Key Project Members
Rita Rice
Subrecipients
Institute of Gas Technology dba GTI Energy
US Hybrid Corporation
Cummins Inc.
Transient Plasma Systems, Inc.
Match Partners
United States Department of Energy
Cummins Inc.
Transient Plasma Systems, Inc.
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