About the Technologies
The following information was gathered from the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Program of the US DOE Office of Transportation Technologies, www.ott.doe.gov/hev/. This program explains HEVs in the following ways:
Hybrid Electric Vehicles 
What are HEVs?
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. This configuration offers the extended range and rapid refueling that consumers expect from a conventional vehicle, with a significant portion of the energy and environmental benefits of an electric vehicle. The practical benefits of HEVs incorporate fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles. The inherent flexibility of HEVs also allows them to be used in a wide range of applications, from personal transportation to commercial hauling.
Why HEVs?
Hybrid power systems were conceived as a way to compensate for the shortfalls in battery technology. Because batteries could supply only enough energy for short trips, a generator, powered by an internal combustion engine, was installed, making hybrid vehicles more efficient. Hybrid cars can also make a big difference to society in terms of environmental benefits and the use of HEVs will reduce smog-forming pollutants over the current national average.
- Regenerative braking capability helps minimize energy loss and recover the energy used to slow down or stop a vehicle. (The How Things Work web site says: This is accomplished by just simply stepping on your brakes. By doing so, kinetic energy is being removed from your car and is captured in your battery. The electric motor then acts as a generator while charging the batteries as the car slows to a stop.)
- Engines can be sized to accommodate average load, not peak load, which reduces the engine’s weight.
- Fuel efficiency is greatly increased (hybrids consume significantly less fuel than vehicles powered by gasoline alone).
- Emissions are greatly decreased.
- Special lightweight materials are used to reduce the overall vehicle weight of HEVs.
- The HEVs available for sale are very cost competitive with similar conventional vehicles. Some states offer tax incentives for HEVs. West Virginia is one state that does offer tax incentives.
- Auto manufacturers are making these HEVs with comparable performance, safety and cost because they know that these three elements are more important to consumers.
- By combining gasoline with electric power, hybrids will have the same or greater range than traditional combustion engines. The HEV is also able to operate approximately two times more efficiently than conventional vehicles. Honda’s Insight can go 700 miles on a single tank of gas. The Honda Civic Hybrid can go 650 miles on a tank of gas, and the Toyota Prius can go about 500 miles.
- For the driver, HEVs offer similar or better performance than conventional vehicles.
- More important, because such performance is available today, hybrids are a practical way for consumers to choose a cleaner drive today.
The Toyota Prius
The following was provided by Toyota Prius’s official website, www.toyota.com/prius/. Toyota describes the Prius in the following ways:
For the last decade, Toyota has been committed to the development of hybrid vehicle technology. In 1997, we were the first automaker to sell a mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world (Prius in Japan). Since then, we have succeeded in introducing the Prius to other markets (Canada, Europe, Australia, etc.) and have launched the hybrid Estima minivan and Crown sedan in Japan.
We believe that our latest generation of hybrid technology -- Hybrid Synergy Drive® -- offers drivers the best of both worlds: maximum driving performance with the least impact on the environment. It can be deployed on virtually any platform in the Toyota family, and will serve as the basis of our expanded hybrid lineup over the next decade.
Hybrid Synergy Drive® is Toyota's next generation hybrid powertrain, improving upon the Toyota Hybrid System in the original Prius. Hybrid Synergy Drive® offers increased power and better fuel efficiency with extremely low emissions -- all in a more compact form. In addition, its design is modular, which allows it to be tailored to the needs of many different platforms, from sedans to SUVs and trucks.
In the Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive® combines a gasoline engine, two electric motor/generators, a battery pack, an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, and power and control electronics. For 4-wheel-drive vehicles, such as the Lexus RX-330 debuting within two years, it will offer an additional motor powering the rear wheels.
Prius is certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV), a standard created by the California Air Resources Board and adopted by other states. AT-PZEV certification means the Prius has near-zero tailpipe emissions, zero evaporative emissions and a special extended warranty on emission control components. It is one step cleaner than the previous generation's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification.
The new 2004 Prius is equipped with many advanced safety features. Prius helps avoid accidents altogether with a standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, plus available Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). In an emergency, its strong mono-form shape, front crumple zones, standard driver and front passenger multi-stage airbags, and available driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags help shield its occupants from harm. The batteries are sealed and have built-in security measures to prevent any leakage or shock in the case of an accident.
Honda Civic Hybrid
The following was provided by Honda Civic Hybrid’s official website,
www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?
ModelName=Civic+Hybrid. Honda’s website describes the Civic Hybrid
in the following ways:
Honda’s single-minded pursuit of emission reduction and fuel economy inevitably produced one of the most efficient vehicles around - the Honda Civic Hybrid. With impressive fuel economy of up to 51 mpg, you save money, the planet conserves resources and the air is just a little cleaner. At Honda, we don’t stand on ceremony or rest on laurels. For 2004, the Civic gets an even better with a fresher look and bolder, sleeker styling. Plus, new features make this Civic yet an even greater value.
The Civic Hybrid's primary source of power is a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine.It features technological advances like VTEC®, Dual-Point Sequential Ignition (i-DSI) and truly remarkable friction-reducing measures for exceptional gas mileage, low emissions and excellent performance.
The latest version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) system thrusts the Civic Hybrid to the forefront of hybrid technology. On the electric side of the power-producing equation is an ultra-thin brushless DC motor. Assisting the engine as needed, this highly efficient, compact unit increases total torque output by a whopping 66% at 1000 rpm. And conveniently enough, you never have to plug the Hybrid in for recharging.
Honda Insight
The following information was provided by Honda Insight’s official website,
www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?
ModelName=Insight. Honda describes the Insight in the following ways:
The first gas-electric vehicle sold in America – Insight started it all. And it’s still the best in fuel economy, with a best-in-the-US EPA highway mileage of 66 mpg. This is innovation of the Honda kind, complete with a distinctive style that says smart all over. Not only does the Insight offer amazing fuel efficiency and Earth-friendlier low emissions, but it’s also a snappy, fun to drive coupe. And since you’ll never plug it in, living with the Insight is as crazy as can be.
The innovative Insight gas-electric hybrid has been recognized by a diverse group of organizations for its remarkable accomplishments. Ever year since its introduction, Insight has been found to be America’s most fuel-efficient car by the EPA. The Sierra Club was moved to bestow up on the Insight their first Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award. And in a repeat performance, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy once again has declared the Honda Insight to be the "Greenest Vehicle" among all 2003 models.
Insight's 1.0-liter, 12-valve, 3-cylinder engine is proof-positive of the elegance of technology.A lean-burn fuel-injection system and VTEC® (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) technology improve power and economy.
Aluminum alloys and exotic magnesium help keep it light. Even Insight's slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission is designed to be especially lightweight. Brilliant friction-reducing measures make both engine and transmission exceptionally efficient. And underscoring the Insight's sophistication is the fact that the first tune-up is scheduled at 105,000 miles.
The Insight's nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries are recharged through a process called regenerative braking. Specifically, energy from forward momentum is captured during braking. This energy is then used to recharge the batteries. (In conventional automobiles, this energy is wasted.) Under certain circumstances, the gasoline engine also recharges the batteries.
When the vehicle stops, the IMA system's idle-stop feature temporarily shuts off the gasoline engine to save fuel and minimize emissions. The system is automatically engages the transmission and restarts the gasoline engine. On Insights equipped with the available continuously variable transmission (CVT), the idle-stop feature is engaged when the brake pedal is depressed and the car has come to a complete stop. Once the brake pedal is released, the engine will restart.
EPA ratings for highway fuel economy are 68 miles per gallon for Insights equipped with a manual transmission. The fuel tank holds 10.6 gallons. Therefore, the vehicle may be able to exceed 700 miles between fill-ups. (Fuel efficiency varies significantly based on driving conditions, road conditions, weather, accessory use and terrain.)
For more information:
www.hondacars.com/images/banners/2004/
civic_hybrid/civic_hybrid_factsheet.pdf - to view and print the Fact
Sheet for the 2004 Civic Hybrid
www.hondacars.com/images/banners/2004/insight/
insight_factsheet.pdf - to view and print the Fact Sheet for the 2004
Honda Insight
www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/prius/key_features/
redirect_prius_faq.html - to view FAQ’s for the Toyota Prius
www.afdc.doe.gov/afvehicles.html - to view a complete guide and other links regarding alternative fuel vehicles
www.afdc.doe.gov/afv/conversion.shtml - to view information on how to convert your conventional car to an alternative fuel vehicle
www.afdc.doe.gov/afv/associations.shtml - to view other associations and organizations related to the AFV industry, as well as the latest legislation for alternative fuel vehicles
Clean Coal to Hydrogen
Why Coal?
While hydrogen is the Earth’s most abundant element, hydrogen does not exist on Earth in its pure state. It must be derived from some other source. Experts say that fossil fuels likely will be the near term source for hydrogen for transportation fuels. In fact, hydrogen is already produced from a fossil fuel, natural gas, and is used for transportation fuels--hydrogen is used to upgrade oil into gasoline. But natural gas is in demand by many consumers, from heating our homes to making chemicals and gasoline to producing electricity. Natural gas prices are generally higher and more volatile than they are for coal. Coal serves primarily to make electricity. Coal is abundant and coal prices are very stable. So coal may be the logical choice to derive hydrogen.
Today, coal-to-hydrogen is achieved by a process known as gasification. In gasification, coal and water are heated to very high temperatures and pressures (around 1000° C to 1500° C and 20-to-85 bar) in the presence of oxygen. Gasification first produces carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), so-called synthesis gas or syngas, and then produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen. As a bonus, at the same time that hydrogen is being produced, electricity also can be produced!
Isn’t the CO2 a problem?
CO2 has been implicated in global climate change. However, the carbon dioxide that is produced through gasification is easy to separate from the process and has few or no impurities, an ideal situation for capturing and sequestering it for long term storage. CO2 capture and sequestration is one strategy for lowering the amounts of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere.
What is not produced by gasification are the large air and particulate emissions associated with traditional coal-fired power plants. More than 99.9 percent of the sulfur is removed meaning virtually no sulfur dioxide escapes the plant. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere leads to acid rain. NOx emissions that can form smog are minimal. In fact, gasification has the potential to be the lowest cost means for capturing volatile mercury as well as carbon dioxide. Gasification also produces the least amount of PM10 and PM2.5. (PM stands for particulate matter. The particles in question are 10 or 2.5 microns in size. For a sense of just how small this is, the period at the end of this sentence is roughly 250 microns big.)
Any carbon-based substance can be gasified. For example, wood waste and other biomass can be gasified. However, supplying hydrogen for even a modest portion of all the cars and trucks on American roads today will require very large amounts of carbon-based materials. With a 250 to 300 year reserve at today’s rate of use, coal is the likely near-term answer.
Why West Virginia?
West Virginia has the resources—coal, natural gas, and biomass—needed to fuel the hydrogen economy. West Virginia has been a top-three coal producer throughout the last half-century and is expected to continue in that role for the foreseeable future.
An equally important but little-known fact is that West Virginia is virtually the birthplace of the modern chemical industry. The Great Kanawha Valley near Charleston is where coal was used to make synthetic rubber and nylon. Both were strategic materials used to make tires and hoses and nylon for parachutes needed by the U.S. military to win World War II. Both were discovered in laboratories in the Valley. Both were made using gasification technology.
West Virginia is home to the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown. The NETL is a laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy. The NETL is playing a leading role in the development of gasification and carbon dioxide sequestration technologies. One of the Office of Fossil Energy’s newest and most exciting programs is FutureGen, the proposed $1 billion program to "…build the world's first integrated [electricity generation, carbon] sequestration and hydrogen production research [coal] plant. The project is intended to create the world's first zero-emissions fossil fuel plant. When operational, the prototype will be the cleanest fossil fuel fired power plant in the world." (from the U.S. Department of Energy FutureGen web site)
West Virginia is a net electricity exporter with an excellent system in place for the transmission of electricity to markets along the East coast, meaning that any electricity co-produced with hydrogen could find a market and a way to get to market.
Adding it up, West Virginia offers many advantages for being a leader in the hydrogen economy.
For More Information
For an excellent visual overview of the gasification process and a review
of the success of one company that has operated coal gasifiers for more
than 20 years, visit the West Virginia Energy Roadmap Workshop web site
for the presentation by Craig Schmidt of Eastman Gasification Services
Company at: www.wvenergyroadmapworkshops.org/presentations/
03Nov_Hy_Schmidt.pdf
For discussion about West Virginia and the hydrogen economy, visit the West Virginia Energy Roadmap Workshop on Hydrogen web site at: www.WVEnergyRoadmapWorkshops.org
For information about the comprehensive research program on gasification being conducted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, visit their web site at: www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/gasification/index.html
For information about carbon dioxide capture and sequestration and FutureGen, visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory web site at: www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/sequestration/index.html
For a more detailed discussion of gasification, we recommend a background
paper by Gary J. Nagl of Gas Technology Products, which can be found at
web site: www.gtp-merichem.com/
nr_gas_syngas.html