Sandia analysis of tradeoffs across light-duty vehicle fleet power trains, fuels, and energy sources appears in the journal Energy Policy

Sandia researchers conducted a parametric analysis to examine the supply demand interactions between the US light-duty vehicle (LDV) fleet, its fuels, and the corresponding primary energy sources through 2050. The analysis emphasizes competition between conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs), represented by both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. The…

Figure 2. Schematic of the modeled, prototypical lignocellulosic biochemical ethanol plant utilizing separate enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation steps.

Thermochemical integration key to improving the efficiency of bio-ethanol production

A recently concluded CRF study as revealed the important role of combustion in the efficient operation of cellulosic ethanol plants for producing  biofuels. Unlike ‘first-generation’ ethanol derived from the fermentation of sugar or starch sources (such as corn), future production of ethanol in the United States is expected (and indeed is federally mandated) to increasingly…