Research Program Overview
From the University of California, Davis
H2
STEPS Program Goals & Objectives
• The overarching goal of the program
Develop methods that allow for robust comparisons of different fuel / vehicle pathways.
• The objectives of the program are
Comparative analysis research. Conduct independent, interdisciplinary research on multiple pathways
Knowledge dissemination. Communicate research to sponsors, scientific community, and policy makers
Education. Educate next generation of engineers, scientists, business and policy decision-makers
Addressing Transportation Energy Challenges
Transportation Efficiency• Vehicle fuel economy
• Congestion relief
• Road design
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Reduced Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)• Carpooling
• Mass transit
• Urban design
Alternative Fuels & Vehicle Technology• Hydrogen
• Biofuels
• Electric drive vehicles
• Advanced ICE engines
• Low-carbon liquid fuels
STEPS Focus
Climate change, Air quality, Energy security, Peak oil
Research Scope: Cross Comparisons
HYDROGEN
• Fuel Cell Vehicles
• H2-ICE Vehicles
Project Areas: Markets, Infrastructure, Lifecycle Analysis, Policy, Vehicle Technology
BIOFUELS
• Bio-ICE Vehicles
• Hybrid Vehicles
ELECTRICITY
• Battery-electric
• Plug-in hybrids
FOSSIL FUELS
• Business as usual
• Low-carbon cases
Hydrogen Biofuels Electricity Fossil Fuels
Markets and Behavior
Infrastructure System Analysis
Energy, Environ., & Cost Analyses
Policy and Business Strategy
Vehicle Performance Evaluation
Integrative Scenarios
Continuing hydrogen research - ; Existing experience at UC Davis - ; Potential new research -
Research Scope: Project Areas
3 Levels of Comparative Analysis
Characterize future scenarios and opportunities
Integrate a broader range of factors and interactions
Apply consistent metrics of comparison
Comparison Metrics
System Integration
Transition Analysis
“Silver Bullet” Theories
• There is no such thing as a “silver bullet” or one answer for the transportation energy challenges
• The real comparative questions are:
What are viable near-term solutions?
What are viable long-term solutions and what commitment is needed now?
How can near-term solutions leverage long-term solutions?
Which solutions work well in tandem given there won’t be one answer?
What policy and/or market signals are needed to move society in this direction?
• STEPS will address this with independent research
Research Approach
• Develop analysis tools with ability for cross comparison
• Publish research and present findings; Make assumptions public and visible
• Independent research projects, but with requirement that they incorporate cross-comparison aspects
• Integrative Scenarios thread will study the combined perspective, and will incorporate results and themes from the independent projects
Unique Aspects of STEPS
• Comparative & Interdisciplinary analysis
• Strong analytic capacity for integrative research
• Leverage from other energy research at UC Davis
• Active engagement with policy development at the state and federal level
• Research consortium, good relationship with sponsors
Program Sponsorship
Energy Industry• BP
• Chevron
• Shell Hydrogen
• PG&E
• TOTAL
Automotive Industry• BMW
• DaimlerChrysler
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Nissan
• Subaru
• Toyota
• Volkswagen
Government• Caltrans
• NRCan
• US EPA
• US DOE
• US DOT
Consortia Based Funding• Consortium structure developed over the last 10
years at ITS
• Allows for great flexibility in research structure
One can “jump in” to a research topic, rather than changing scope of contract
Facilitates interaction amongst varying industries
• Sponsor contribution leverages all other sponsors in the program – i.e. research dollars are multiplied by 20X
Sample STEPS Projects• Consumer behavior Thread
What is the consumer response to fuel economy?
Vehicle demonstrations
Meaning of “green”
• Business Strategy and Policy Thread
Study of business adaptation under particular transition pathway, and the policy that will encourage that change
Incentives for firms under and LCFS
Sample Projects, Con’t• Vehicle Design Thread
Development of cross-comparison simulation tools
Detailed cost analysis / predictions for advanced vehices
• Infrastructure System Analysis Thread
Builds on H2P research
Spatial analysis, build-out scenarios
Modeling, analysis of infrastructure across varying pathways, including analysis of existing infrastructure
Research Projects, Con’t• Energy, Environmental, and Cost Analysis
Lifecycle Emissions Model (LEM)
• The Lifecycle Emissions Model (LEM) calculates lifecycle emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse-gases from a wide range of fuels, vehicles, materials, and transportation modes.
Lifetime social cost and energy-use model (AVCEM)
• The Advanced Vehicle Cost and Energy-Use Model (AVCEM) calculates the lifetime private and social cost of a wide range of advanced alternative-fuel and electric vehicles.
Social-cost calculator (SCC)
• The Social-Cost Calculator (SCC) calculates the external and social costs of transportation plans involving gasoline and diesel trucks and buses.
Research Projects, Con’t• Integrative Scenarios Thread
Large-scale, broad scope models
Analysis of LCFS impact
Will study many different options to achieve LCFS goal of reduced carbon impact
Research Area LeadershipHydrogen
Joan Ogden
Biofuels
Bryan Jenkins
Electricity
Tom Turrentine
Fossil Fuels
CynthiaLin
Demand and Behavior
Ken KuraniInfrastructure System Analysis
Chris Yang, Yueyue FanEnergy, Environ., & Cost Analyses
Mark DelucchiPolicy and Business Strategy
Chris KnittelVehicle Performance Evaluation
Andy BurkeIntegrative Scenarios
Marc Melaina
Tracks
Threads
Threads: “Cross-Comparison” Focus
Tracks: “Interdisciplinary” Focus
Thank You
http://steps.its.ucdavis.edu