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Biofuels and ‘Clean Fuel’ Technology for Automobiles

Energy experts recently warned that tight petroleum supplies amid soaring demand could drive crude oil prices above $100 a barrel by this winter, possibly hiking gas prices to more than $5 a gallon at the pump and increasing home heating oil an additional 30%. Transportation accounts for 67% of the oil consumed in the U.S., and projected to reach 72% by 2020. Petroleum's finite and unstable nature makes our reliance a threat to our energy security. The economic and political implications are far-reaching. In cities or other areas of heavy traffic, localized vehicular air pollution can increase health problems including cancer, heart disease, asthma, and emphysema.

[clockwise from top] 1.) Logo for the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority 2.) A diesel hybrid-electric bus used by the NYC Transit Authority 3.) NY resident, Juan Duran, showing The Informed Constituent his van full of grease he picks up from local restaurants, which is filtered to fuel vehicles and to heat his home. 4.) Soybean oil is sold to the food industry, but a growing portion is sold to biodiesel plants. 5.) A diesel truck converted by its owner, Jeff Beller (resident of Westerlo, NY) to run on biodiesel.

So what about alternative fuels? Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), “include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels.” They are used worldwide in a variety of vehicles.

According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), “Using alternative transportation fuels such as these can reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. Furthermore, most of these fuels can be domestically produced and derived from renewable sources. For alternative fuel pricing data comparisons, go online to www.NYSERDA.org

Biodiesel, for example, is produced domestically and can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. Pure biodiesel (B100) is considered an alternative fuel under EPAct, but it may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems and may not be suitable for wintertime use. NYSERDA writes that biodiesel is “safe, biodegradable, and reduces serious air pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics.”

American farmers will be growing plentiful supplies of energy just as they are growing plentiful supplies of food. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) over twelve years ago farmers began to harness the sun to make the same kinds of energy we get from fossil fuels. Energy crops include corn, oilseeds, and fast-growing trees and grasses.

“Energy crops are the only resource capable of offsetting a major fraction of the petroleum the nation uses for transportation fuels.” Farmers are growing energy crops to make biodiesel and alcohol fuels. “Soon, energy crops will also produce electricity and chemicals such as plastics.” “With good conservation practices, there’s plenty of land left to grow energy crops—enough to replace some of the coal and oil the nation uses,” the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) wrote in a 1994 publication, The American Farm. Tomorrow’s energy harvest could be bigger and more profitable while still fully sustaining our nation’s resources.. The NREL even developed “fast-pyrolysis technology” to convert energy crops into biocrude oil, which is a source for making electricity.

For the latest innovations in NY State energy research programs, the DOE has cited NYSERDA as being among the “best government research organizations in North America”, including others such as NASA. NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the NY State Legislature. It operates over 30 programs under the umbrella of New York Energy $martSM designed to support certain public benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity market.

About 400 NYSERDA research projects help NY’s businesses and municipalities with their energy and environmental problems. Since 1990, NYSERDA has successfully developed and brought into use “more than 170 innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally beneficial products, processes, and services.” These contributions to the State's economic growth and environmental protection are made at a cost of about $.70 per NY resident per year.

NYSERDA’s transportation programs are designed to provide funding opportunities for projects, and innovative research and development initiatives that reduce emissions, improve air-quality, and reduce our dependency on imported oil. The programs are designed to promote business development, protect the environment, increase energy reliability, and enhance a competitive transportation-energy market.

NYSERDA's Alternative Fuel vehicle programs are designed to implement projects that maximize the environmental, energy, and economic benefits of introducing clean-fueled vehicles into fleets. These programs encourage public and private fleets to implement strategies to introduce alternative fuel vehicles, related infrastructures, and biofuels at both the state and local levels to improve the State's water and air quality. It lessens the State's dependence on imported petroleum. NYSERDA also works with New York State businesses to develop new transportation products, including improved vehicles and components that use natural gas, electric and hybrid-electric technologies, biodiesel, and ethanol fuels.

In the area of advanced transportation systems, research and development is directed at enhancing mobility, reducing congestion, and improving transportation energy efficiency with advanced mass transit and highway infrastructure technologies. NYSERDA’s Alternative-Fuel Vehicle Program provides financial assistance and technical information to encourage fleets to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) and install fueling facilities or charging stations. Vehicles powered by natural gas, propane, and electricity, including certain hybrid-electric vehicles, are eligible under most of the programs NYSERDA offers. Incentives are available to encourage the use of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Check the funding opportunities page for the current status of programs including available funds and deadlines for proposals.

An example of NYSERDA’s successful work, their funding of over $10.2 million has helped the New York City Transit Authority purchase 192 CNG buses and 91 diesel hybrid-electric buses which will “displace over 10.25 million gallons of petroleum, and reduce emissions of 1,850 tons of NOx, 100 tons of PM-10, and 144,434 tons of CO2 over the vehicles lifetime.”

Funds come from Governor Pataki’s 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. $27.75 million has been awarded for 562 buses including CNG, battery electric, and diesel hybrid-electric technology. The program has leveraged more than $175 million in investments in clean fuel technology. This program supports several bus operators to introduce clean fuel buses including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York City Transit and Long Island Bus), Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, and Long Beach School District.

Six urban areas of NY State have joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program. This voluntary initiative recognizes and supports regional programs which pledge to introduce alternative-fuel vehicles into public and private fleets. Stretching from Buffalo to the tip of Long Island, these regional organizations include local businesses, municipal fleets, vehicle and component suppliers, fuel providers, environmental and business organizations, and government agencies. The Clean City organizations sponsor alternative-fuel events, educate fleets and the public on the advantages of alternative-fuel vehicles, and help their members develop partnerships and identify funding opportunities.

To help ensure an even brighter, stronger future for the Empire State, Governor Pataki has launched an effort to make NY a worldwide powerhouse in high technology research, job creation and economic growth. The centerpiece of this effort is his multi-billion dollar high-tech biotechnology Center of Excellence initiative, which is anchored by major research centers in Albany, Buffalo, Greater Rochester, Long Island and Syracuse.

Federally funded, the Energy Efficiency Services program is working with more than 540 businesses, schools, and municipalities to identify existing technologies and equipment to reduce their energy costs.

Energy systems based on energy crops will change the farming and energy business forever. America’s farmers will harness the sun to fuel the world.

To read what NY State Assemblyman Paultonko, Chair of the Energy Committee said in an exclusive interview with The Informed Constituent, see our website at www.fourthbranchofamerica.com.

Capital Region Clean Communities Deborah Stacey, Clean Cities Coordinator 5 Computer Drive West Albany, NY 12205 (518) 458-2161 cdtc@crisny.org NYSERDA 17 Columbia Circle Albany, New York 12203 (518) 862-1090 x3412 www.nyserda.org

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