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Agenda
Propane Basics
Vehicles
Infrastructure
Getting Started
Additional Resources
Images: NREL Image Gallery #27574 and #30341
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Three-carbon alkane gas: C3H8
Basics: What Is Propane?
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Autogas• By-product of natural gas
processing and crude oil refining
• Gaseous fuel that is compressed to a liquid
Image: NREL Image Gallery #17180
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Benefits
• Abundant domestic resource• Vehicle technology and
fueling stations widely available
• High energy density• Low flammability• Safe, puncture-resistant
tanks• May reduce particulate
matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions
Considerations
• Reduced driving range on dedicated vehicles
• Incremental vehicle or conversion costs
• Methane and NOx emissions equivalent or slightly higher than gasoline
Basics: Benefits and Considerations
Image: NREL Image Gallery #13689
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Basics: Supply
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and ICF International
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Propane Applications Storage Energy Content
Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty
vehicles
Stored as a gas in onboard tanks
between 125–150 pounds per square
inch (psi)
73% of the Btu of gasoline
Basics: Propane in Vehicles
Image: NREL Image Gallery #20655
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Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM)
Vehicles: OEMs Versus Conversions
Aftermarket Conversions
Prepped Vehicles
• More OEM models becoming available• Aftermarket conversions provide additional options
– Must meet federal and state requirements, and be installed by a qualified system retrofitter (QSR)
• Vehicles with factory-installed engine prep packages are converted by a qualified vehicle modifier (QVM) before delivery to the customer
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Vehicles: Categories and Maintenance
Category Fuel Benefits
Dedicated Propane
Lower emissions compared to gasoline vehicles
Increased cargo capacity over bi-fuel vehicles
Bi-fuel Propane or Gasoline
Fueling flexibility
Increased range over dedicated vehicles
Maintenance Costs• May be lower than or equal to
conventional vehicles• Less oil contamination• Extended engine life• No cold-start problems
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Vehicles: Fuel System
Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), Propane Vehicles http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/propane.html
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Vehicles: Applications
Images: NREL Image Gallery #12692, #17419, #26955
Light-Duty• Passenger cars
and light-duty trucks in private and government fleets
• Personal vehicles
Medium-Duty• Vans and
shuttles• Airport and taxi
fleets• Cargo trucks
Heavy-Duty• School buses• Transit buses• Street sweepers• Snowplows• Short-haul
delivery trucks
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Vehicles: Where to Find Available Models?
EPA: http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm CARB: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/altfuel/altfuel.htm
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Case Study #1: Eastern Carver County, Minnesota School District
Just the Numbers
•Propane School Buses: 100+•Fuel Cost Savings: $60,000+ per year
Image and More Information: AFDC Case Study Search, Propane Buses Help Minnesota Schools Carve out Greener Future, http://www.afdc.energy.gov/case/1483?text
• Replacing diesel buses with propane on their normal 10-year replacement cycle
• Partnered with Student Transportation of America, as well as Ferrellgas for fueling equipment and a fuel contract
• No trouble with cold starts (-20ºF)
“I think we have a great fleet here that's making progress for the environment. It's saving money for the school district so we can keep the money in the classrooms, and we're being a little progressive, and it's all the partnership between Eastern Carver County Schools and Student Transportation of America.”
—John Thomas, Transportation Director
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Case Study #2: Schwan's Home Service Fleet
Just the Numbers
• Propane Delivery Trucks: 4,500+
• Initial Propane Fleet Implementation: 1970s
• Gas and Diesel Fuel Savings: 18 million gallons/year
• Maintenance cost savings: More than $1 million/year
Image and More Information: National Clean Fleets Partner: Schwan’s Home Service,http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/schwans.html
• Largest fleet of propane vehicles in the country, with more than 70% of vehicles running on propane
• Member of Department of Energy’s National Clean Fleets Partnership
"It's great to have a company that is focused on being environmentally friendly. It's good for us from an economic standpoint as well, and it's just the right thing to do.”
—Jeff Modica, Schwan’s Global Supply Chain
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Infrastructure: Propane Station Availability
Source: AFDC Station Locator, July 2014; public stations
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Off-site, Public Access• Operated by retailer, utility, or other fleet• Fleet may be an anchor fleet or part of a pool
of multiple fleets who make a case for station to add propane refueling
On-site, Private Access• Exclusive use by participating fleets
On-site, Public Access• Built outside of restricted areas• Benefit from economy of scale• Promotes public use of propane vehicles
Infrastructure: Types
City of Austin Infrastructure:
Using five city fueling sites, Austin is able to operate more than 200
F150 propane trucks and more than 30 propane
mowers. Infrastructure is shared with Travis County,
the State of Texas, and other entities.
Image: NREL Image Gallery #30248
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Infrastructure: Propane Fueling
Image and More Information: AFDC Propane Fueling Infrastructure Development, http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propane_infrastructure.html
•Turnkey solution with standard storage tank, dispensing, metering, and containment equipmentContainerized
•Larger storage tanks, multiple dispensers, other customizationCustomized
•Propane delivery truck with metering and dispensing equipmentMobile
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Meet with your local propa
ne marke
ter
Determine avera
ge propa
ne need
Lock in
propane fuel
price
Other Considerations: Fleet Pricing
Image: NREL Image Gallery #12500
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• Facility modifications may be necessary • NFPA codes and international codes exist; local
authorities determine which apply • The following must be evaluated:
– Ventilation system– Heating system– Lighting system– Electrical system– Mechanical system– Building envelope– Internal structure
Other Considerations: Maintenance Facility Modifications
Helpful Resource:
The Propane Autogas Repair and Maintenance Facility
Requirements guide from PERC provides a comprehensive
overview of codes and standards for maintenance facilities, as well as additional information about evaluations and modifications.
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?• Based on my fleet inventory and replacement
schedule, what is the vehicle replacement potential?
• What vehicle, equipment, fuel, and station development vendors exist?
• Are there fueling stations in my area? Are they public or private? Can I visit?
• What support can my local Clean Cities coalition provide?
• How many vehicles will be fueled each day?• How much fuel will each vehicle need?• When and how often will vehicles need to be
fueled?• What are the maintenance facility and fueling
infrastructure site development requirements?• What federal, state, and local incentives are
available?
Getting Started: Questions to Ask
Image: NREL Image Gallery #11599
Helpful Resource:
The AFDC Laws and Incentives Search provides information about
available state and federal incentives for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and
infrastructure.
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Presenter OrganizationWebsite
Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)afdc.energy.gov
Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)propane.com
More Information
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• AFDC Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/search)
• AFDC Alternative Fueling Station Locator (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/)
• AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/calc/)
• AFDC Petroleum Reduction Planning Tool (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/prep/)
• AFDC Federal and State Laws and Incentives (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/)
• AFDC Propane Fueling Infrastructure Development (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propane_infrastructure.html)
• AFDC Propane Vehicles (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/propane.html)
• Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL’s) Alternative Fuel Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Transportation (AFLEET) Tool (https://greet.es.anl.gov/afleet)
• CARB Certified Conversions List (http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/altfuel/altfuel.htm)
• Clean Cities Costs Associated With Propane Vehicle Fueling Infrastructure (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/uploads/publication/propane_costs.pdf)
• EIA Propane Delivery (http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=propane_delivery)
• EPA Certified Conversions List (http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm)
• PERC Certified Propane Autogas Vehicles List http://www.propane.com/uploadedFiles/Propane/On_Road_Fleets/Propane_Conversions/Octobe2014OTRManufacturerListingPublicView.pdf
• PERC Propane Autogas Repair and Maintenance Facility Requirements (http://www.propane.com/uploadedFiles/Propane/On_Road_Fleets/Safety/autogas%20repair%20and%20maintenance1.pdf)
References and Resources