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At least 469 records · Page 26

A parametric analysis of oilfield design factors affecting the detectability and characterization of electrically conductive hydrofracks

Electrical responses in the vicinity of energized steel-cased well sources offer significant potential for monitoring induced fractures. However, the high complexity of well-fracture-host models spanning multiple length scales compels analysts to simplify their numerical models due to enormous computational costs. This consequently limits our understanding regarding monitoring capabilities and the limitations of electrical measurements on realistic hydraulically fracturing systems. In this paper, we use the hierarchical finite element approach to construct geoelectric models in which geometrically complex fractures and steel-cased wells are discretely represented in 3D conducting media without sacrificing the model realism and computation efficiency. We have discovered systematic numerical analyses of the electrical responses to evaluate the influences of borehole material conductivity and the source type as well as the effects of well geometry, conductivity contrast, source location, fracture growth, and fracture propagation. Furthermore, the numerical results indicate that the borehole material property has a strong control on the electrical potentials along the production and monitoring wells. The monopole source located at a steel-cased well results in a current density distribution that decays away from the source location throughout the well length, whereas the dipole source produces a current density that dominates mainly along the dipole length. Moreover, the conductivity contrast between the fractures and host does not change the overall pattern of the electrical potentials but varies its amplitude. The fracture models near different well systems indicate that the well geometry controls the entire distribution of potentials, while the characteristics of the voltage difference profiles along the wells before and after fracturing are insensitive to the well geometry and the well in which the source is located. Further, the hydraulic-fracturing models indicate that the voltage differences along the production well before and after fracturing have strong sensitivity to fracture growth and fracture set propagation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Coherent homodyne detection for amplified cross-beam electric-field induced second harmonic

The electric-field induced second harmonic (E-FISH) signal sensing is commonly used as a nonlinear optical technique to probe electric fields inside a plasma region. Cross-beam E-FISH is being investigated to improve spatial resolution by defining the interaction volume via a controlled geometry of two overlapping noncolinear optical beams. This drastic reduction in interaction length of the electric field and laser region results in a significant signal reduction. Here, to overcome this signal reduction, we introduce coherent amplification of the cross-beam E-FISH signal by mixing the low E-FISH signal with a phase-locked bright local oscillator. We demonstrate enhancement of the signal. By introducing a local oscillator we can now derive the polarity of the measured electric field through the phase of the homodyne signal. To illustrate the technique, we, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, measure the magnitude and the direction of the electric field in a cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet, which dynamically follows the profile of the applied bias current.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Electrically tunable nonlinear light generation in plasmonic tunnel junctions

Active and efficient control of nonlinear optical processes is essential for integrated photonics, with applications in signal processing, ultrafast switching, and quantum light manipulation. While nanophotonic structures are powerful for enhancing nonlinearities, achieving wide-range electrical tunability has remained a challenge. Plasmonic tunnel junctions offer a unique path to bridge this gap because they combine extreme optical field confinement with direct electrical control in a single nanoscale device. Here, we report the first, to our knowledge, demonstration of electrically tunable second-harmonic generation (SHG) in plasmonic tunnel junctions. Using ultra-stable epitaxial heterostructures, we achieve reproducible modulation of SHG with depths up to ∼500% and magnitudes above 1.3V −1 . We identify two mechanisms, electric-field-induced SHG (EFISH) and ion migration, that can either compete or cooperate depending on junction thickness and bias, enabling both broad tunability and ferroelectric-like hysteretic switching. These findings establish plasmonic tunnel junctions as a platform for electrically controlled nonlinear optics, with potential for nanoscale light sources, reconfigurable modulators, and neuromorphic photonic devices..

42 ENGINEERING↗

MODELING OF ENHANCED AIR DEHUMIDIFICATION THROUGH ELECTRICALLY CHARGED VAPOR CAPTURING ELECTROSTATIC DROPLETS

This paper investigated the potential of a new electrostatic-based water vapor separation system for humidity control in buildings. The Electrospray Vortical Flow eXchanger (EVFX) consists of small electrically charged water droplets released inside air vortexes to attract water vapor molecules, effectively wiping out the humidity from the air. Larger droplets are then removed at the outer wall of the vortex. If a water molecule is placed in a gradient electric field, such a polar molecule experiences a dielectrophoresis force, which moves the molecules and produces a vapor concentration gradient. When the vapor density exceeds the saturation level, nucleation occurs. A thermodynamic model that captures this phenomenon was described in this paper. Electrosprayed droplets were initially charged close to their maximum electrical charge dictated by the Rayleigh limit; these droplets were used as nucleation centers. The high electric charge decreased the pressure of the vapor, which was in equilibrium with the droplets. This enhanced the charged droplets' nucleation and growth that depleted the vapor phase near the droplets, which was compensated for by the dielectrophoresis flow and diffusion. Significant water vapor condensation was predicted for small droplets at a high electrical charge. Beyond a specific droplet size, while the condensation of water vapor was still theoretically possible, it was somewhat limited because the further growth of the large charged droplets was inhibited due to their high inherent water vapor pressure near the surface. A case study illustrated the potentials and limitation of the EVFX for droplets charged to the Rayleigh limit, for which the effective range of diameters resulted between 10 nm up to few micron.

Morcelli, Stefano↗

Modeling the Impact of Flexible CHP on the Future Electric Grid In California

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems provide electricity and process heat at more than 4,400 industrial and commercial facilities across the United States. Typically fueled with natural gas, a CHP system combines a prime mover (such as a reciprocating engine) with a generator and heat recovery equipment, allowing operation at very high efficiencies (65–85%). Traditionally, CHP systems have been configured to serve local electrical and thermal loads at the sites where they are deployed. Units are sized to ensure a high capacity factor for the equipment, and the electricity generated tends to be used on site. CHP units in the United States already generate over 12% of the nation’s electricity. However, CHP’s potential benefits could be much greater if power generated could be used beyond the site, because the analysis was performed under the assumption that sites could use all the thermal output. Analysis of a few key sectors confirmed that this assumption is valid (for more information, see Appendix E). Those benefits could include improved grid reliability and resilience, as well as lower-cost options for providing energy and other grid services. The potential benefits also align well with grid modernization objectives, as shown in Combined heat and power (CHP) systems provide electricity and process heat at more than 4,400 industrial and commercial facilities across the United States., and greater electrification of loads, driven by carbon reduction priorities.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

EMP-Resilient Electric Grid Transformer Analysis

The response of a high - voltage (HV) transformer to fast rise time voltages, such as that from a electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can result in interruption of power distribution and possibly system failure. To help identify these potential occurrences, it is necessary to develop a transformer model that not only captures the input/output response of the transformer but also the internal behavior. The model constructed should cover the frequency band of interest while capturing the internal physical and electrical characteristics. This broad-band, high-fidelity model would enable the prediction of unwanted effects through simulation. A proposed modeling scheme for a HV transformer is described in Part 1 of this report. Part 2 of this report details assessments of internal voltage and electrical field holdoff testing of transformer insulation dielectric breakdown, including comparison of low frequency (DC/60 Hz) holdoff to rise times characteristic of lightning (1 s) and EMP E1 transients (10 - 30 ns). This initial project is a path toward establishing electrical grid transformer failure criteria for EMP voltage transients. We developed modeling methods and measured breakdown electrical field statistical distributions for direct current, 60 Hz, lightning and EMP characteristic voltage rise times. Methods of nanosecond-scale capacitive discharge unit high voltage source development, suggestions for derating of 60 Hz insulation maximum electrical fields for EMP nanosecond pulse voltage withstand rating, and potential methods for increasing transformer resilience to such fast rise time pulses are described.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Cummins Electric Truck with Range-Extending Engine (ETREE) Project (Final Technical Report)

The Cummins Electric Truck with Range Extending Engine (ETREE) program designed, developed, and demonstrated a range extending electric vehicle that employs an electrified propulsion system installed in a class 6 commercial vehicle (Peterbilt 220). This project was relevant to industry and the greater public because at the time of the project there were two keys to widespread electrified commercial vehicle adoption yet to be realize: 1) For pure electrified vehicle adoption, battery improvements are needed: Cost must decrease, and energy density must increase. 2) Electric vehicles must overcome fleet operator risks such as: operations in cold climates, hilly terrain, or where majority of conventional trucks are replaced with electrified vehicles. In the near to medium term these adoption hurdles were address by the objectives of this project. A plug-in hybrid vehicle that could be operated in all electric mode for most of its workday optimizing the use of grid energy with the ability to supplement energy demand with the onboard range extending engine. This project’s architecture provided ability to match a conventional class 6 commercial vehicle range and performance characteristics prior to the ubiquitous adoption of battery electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well. Additionally, the vehicles produced as part of this project can be considered a prototype for a commercially viable heavily electrified commercial vehicle because most of the physical hardware used for the project is commercially available in the market today. The ETREE program met its main objectives and demonstrated 65% fuel consumption reduction as compared to a conventional class 6 vehicle while meeting performance and range expectations. This was achieved by drawing upon the strengths of the assembled team: Cummins, PACCAR, the Ohio State University, Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Sensitivity of Infrastructure Sectors to the Disruption of Commercial Electric Power

Electric power is crucial to the function of other infrastructures, as well as to the stability of the economy and the social order. Disruption of commercial electric power service, even for brief periods of time, can create significant consequences to the function of other sectors, and make living in some environments untenable. This analysis, conducted in 2017 for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) Initiative, focuses on describing the function of each of the other infrastructure sectors and subsectors, with an eye towards those elements of these sectors that depend on primary electric power service through the commercial electric power grid. It leverages the experience of Sandia analysts in analyzing historical disruptive events, and from the development of capabilities designed to identify the physical, logical, and geographic connectivity between infrastructures. The analysis goes on to identify alternatives for the provision of primary electric power service, and the redundancy of said alternatives, to provide a picture of the sector’s ability to withstand an extended disruption.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Feb. 2021 Electricity Blackouts and Natural Gas Shortages in Texas

An extreme winter storm and extended cold weather event hit Texas and the central United States February 8–19, 2021. This led to both exceptional energy demands and issues with electricity and natural gas supplies over several days. Residential space heating drove the increases in demand, with over 60% of Texas homes using electric heat pumps and 35% using natural gas furnaces. Supply issues were caused by freezing equipment and supply lines, impacting both natural gas supplies and most forms of electricity generation. [1] Natural gas supplies were especially important because natural gas also supplied about 50% of the electricity generating capacity in ERCOT, the primary grid operator in Texas. [2] Due to the supply shortages, wholesale electricity prices were forced to the ERCOT maximum of $\$9,000$ /MWh for over three days (recent range $\$20$–40/MWh), [3] and natural gas prices for physical delivery exceeded $\$400$ /MMBtu in some areas (recent range $\$3$–4/MMBtu). [4]

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Integrating Cambium Marginal Costs into Electric Sector Decisions: Opportunities to Integrate Cambium Marginal Cost Data into Berkeley Lab Analysis and Technical Assistance

NREL’s Cambium tool generates forward-looking simulations of marginal wholesale electricity costs associated with NREL’s Standard Scenarios. The scenarios include growing shares of variable renewable energy (VRE, i.e. wind and solar), among other power sector assumptions, between 2018 and 2050. The tool’s primary output—hourly costs at more than 130 balancing areas—could serve as public and transparent data source that supports electric-sector decision-making processes across the U.S. Berkeley Lab conducts a large range of analyses that use historical and forward-looking wholesale electricity prices to inform electric-sector decisions. In this report, Berkeley Lab uses its expertise to evaluate the Cambium cost data. We compare Cambium data with historical wholesale prices for the year 2018 and other modeled prices for the year 2030. We then present eight case studies in which Berkeley Lab researchers use Cambium data to replicate previous analyses based on other price datasets. We describe where primary findings and underlying key price dynamics align or differ, and highlight possible novel insights from the Cambium data. Finally, we qualitatively evaluate the suitability of Cambium costs in ten additional Berkeley Lab studies, though a direct comparison with alternative price data was not feasible at this time. The goal is to inform how electric-sector decision-makers and DOE program offices may be able to use this cohesive dataset, and to highlight what improvements to Cambium may make it even more useful.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Shielded and Low-Damping SPM Probes for Quantitative Electrical and Electrochemical Characterization (Phase IIA)

The purpose of this DOE SBIR award was to develop new scanning probe microscopy tools for the elucidation of electrical and electrochemical properties at the nanoscale. High performance probes are important for energy materials research. In both solar cells and batteries, the essential physics and chemistry occur at the nanoscale and nanoscale characterization tools are required for their elucidation. Two products were developed: an electrically shielded probe and an electrically conductive probe with low leakage currents. Our processes were based on post processing of existing probes and fabrication methods were tested, leading to a laser micromachining based approach that led to the first minimal viable product. We invented a method to make a reliable electrical contact that attaches a flexible printed circuit board to the chip. enable leak-free operation crucial when used in conductive liquids and electrolytes. This proprietary solution improves chip handling, reduces contamination, and maintains effective electrical contact. The probes fabricated in this Phase IIa are a minimal viable product which attracted attention from various tip manufacturers and instrument manufacturers alike.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding Your Utility Bills: Electricity

Electricity bills can often be difficult to decipher. Depending in the electricity provider, bills can be very long and detailed or extremely short, with only a few totals listed. Different charges can appear each month with no apparent explanation of how or why they are calculated. Learning how to read electricity bills and understand why different charges are assessed is key to maximizing cost savings through energy efficiency. This document provides guidance on the basics of understanding electricity bills and covers electricity generation, rate structures, usage trends, and savings opportunities. The information in this guide can be used to help companies collect and report their energy efficiency improvements to the DOE Better Plants Program.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

100% Carbon-Free Electricity for Sandia NM and KAFB Using Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) (SAND Report)

This report provides a design study to produce 100% carbon-free electricity for Sandia NM and Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) using concentrating solar power (CSP). Annual electricity requirements for both Sandia and KAFB are presented, along with specific load centers that consume a significant and continuous amount of energy. CSP plant designs of 50 MW and 100 MW are then discussed to meet the needs of Sandia NM and the combined electrical needs of both Sandia NM and KAFB. Probabilistic modeling is performed to evaluate inherent uncertainties in performance and cost parameters on total construction costs and the levelized cost of electricity. Total overnight construction costs are expected to range between ~$300M - $400M for the 50 MW CSP plant and between ~$500M - $800M for the 100 MW plant. Annual operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are estimated together with potential offsets in electrical costs and CO 2 emissions. Other considerations such as interconnections, land use and permitting, funding options, and potential agreements and partnerships with Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), and other entities are also discussed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Electric Drive Technologies Research: Bottom-Up Soft Magnetic Composites (FY2022 Annual Progress Report)

In order to meet 2025 goals for enhanced peak power (100 kW), specific power (50 kW/L), and reduced cost (3.3 $\$$/kW) in a motor that can operate at ≥ 20,000 rpm, improved soft magnetic materials must be developed. Better performing soft magnetic materials will also enable rare earth free electric motors. In fact, replacement of permanent magnets with soft magnetic materials was highlighted in the Electrical and Electronics Technical Team (EETT) Roadmap as a R&D pathway for meeting 2025 targets. Eddy current losses in conventional soft magnetic materials, such as silicon steel, begin to significantly impact motor efficiency as rotational speed increases. Soft magnetic composites (SMCs), which combine magnetic particles with an insulating matrix to boost electrical resistivity (ρ) and decrease eddy current losses, even at higher operating frequencies (or rotational speeds), are an attractive solution. Today, SMCs are being fabricated with values of ρ ranging between 10 -3 to 10 -1 μohm∙m, which is significantly higher than 3% silicon steel (~0.05 μohm∙m). The isotropic nature of SMCs is ideally suited for motors with 3D flux paths, such as axial flux motors. Additionally, the manufacturing cost of SMCs is low and they are highly amenable to advanced manufacturing and net-shaping into complex geometries, which further reduces manufacturing costs. There is still significant room for advancement in SMCs, and therefore additional improvements in electrical machine performance. For example, despite the inclusion of a non-magnetic insulating material, the electrical resistivities of SMCs are still far below that of soft ferrites (10 – 10 8 μohm∙m).

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

A Review of Water and Climate Change Analysis in Electric Utility Integrated Resource Planning

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which electric utility integrated resource plans (IRPs) evaluate the impact of water constraints on electric generation resource portfolios and the extent to which IRPs consider the impacts of climate change to generation and loads. This white paper reviewed 30 IRPs to determine best practices with respect to analyzing and reporting on potential water-based and climate change risks within the integrated resource planning process. Best practices from electric utility IRPs are identified and additional recommendations and considerations are put forth. In recent years, thermal generating facilities have experienced challenges with water availability: a shortage of cooling water, conditions in which incoming cooling water is too warm for optimal operation, and/or water discharge temperatures exceeding permit limits. S&P Global Market Intelligence recently reported on a study that identified for the year 2030, 98.2 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity at risk due to water stress. Climate change effects on hydrological cycles may adjust the timing, temperature, and volume of water availability for thermal electric cooling and for hydropower generation, which could further exacerbate the frequency and duration of operational constraints. Climate change can also impact the timing and intensity of electric loads that utilities must serve, most notably for heating and cooling.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Dielectrics Under Extreme Electric Fields: In Situ Studies on Nanoscale Mechanisms (Final Technical Report)

The lack of materials that can function reliably under extreme electric fields is a critical roadblock to achieving higher energy efficiency and extended service lifetime of devices in electricity generation, transmission, and consumption. Materials typically fail at two or three orders of magnitude below their theoretical dielectric breakdown strength. Identifying the origins of premature dielectric breakdown using state-of-the-art characterization tools will, therefore, enable the design and discovery of transformational materials capable of approaching their intrinsic limits. The vast improvement in the resolution power of imaging tools, combined with the recently developed in situ electric biasing technique, has made high resolution observations of dielectric breakdown as it happens possible. The overall goal of the project is to directly image the dynamic processes of defect formation, accumulation, and interaction with preexisting defects (e.g., dislocations, domain walls, and grain boundaries in crystalline dielectric films) under electric fields up to 1,000 MV/m with a temporal resolution better than 5 microseconds. Using the newly acquired, custom-made Hysitron PI95 transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimen holder, in situ TEM observations of breakdown at the sub nanometer resolution will be made on representative dielectric compounds with progressive complexities: the linear dielectric SiO 2 , CuO, and TiO 2 , the ferroelectric BaTiO 3 nanocrystals and nanocubes. Through direct observation of the breakdown event at high spatial and temporal resolutions, the nanoscale mechanisms for the failure of dielectrics under intense electric fields will be identified. The results of the project will be applied to the design and processing of new dielectric materials with higher efficiency, improved reliability, and a prolonged lifetime. Such new dielectrics are urgently needed for modernizing energy infrastructures.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Robust Combined Heat and Hybrid Power (CHHP) for High Electrical Efficiency Cogeneration

Georgia Tech (Prime Recipient), the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) investigated a hybrid fuel cell/ gas turbine system concept as a combined heat and hybrid power (CHHP) system for both robust and high power-to-process heat ratio cogeneration. The novelty of the proposed system entailed the distinct, elevated electrical efficiencies it maintains while simultaneously supporting a broad span of heating needs (e.g., supply temperatures) demanded across variable heat loads. The scope included: 1) leveraging a pioneering national lab facility configured for dynamic system operability development of hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine cycles; 2) enabling technology development to adjust and modulate the quality and quantity of thermal supply to bottoming heat loads via novel extreme temperature gas bypass valves. Hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine systems have primarily been reduced-to-practice in a constrained (e.g., initial proof-of-concept) manner and have still demonstrated considerable electrical efficiencies. However, these pre-pilot systems have focused upon electrical efficiencies and electrical power generation as the exclusive energy demand. Such hybrid systems had not been extensively researched or developed for flexible and variable operation consisting of both power and heat demands; however, these variable combined power and heat demands are characteristic of many types of manufacturers such as animal/poultry processing, bakeries and milk/flour/pastry manufacturing, textile mills, and electrochemical processing. Commercially, developing the system into a working combined heat and power system benefits these types of manufacturers by allowing them to meet their power and heat demands at a lower cost, higher efficiency, and/or through onsite generation. Therefore, the technical scope of this project was largely to study and facilitate these hybrid systems as combined heat and hybrid power (CHHP) systems that include dynamic operability for variable heat and power loads and/or grid dynamics for various types of manufacturers. Simulation results were used to predict the performance of the CHHP system and conceptually develop it to achieve desired dynamic operability. Experimentally, the primary goal was to design, manufacture, and experiment upon a high-temperature bypass valve. Experimental data included air mass flow rates through the valve orifice when the valve was changed to variable extent between fully closed and fully open. The experimental data was then used to create a semi-empirical computational model of the bypass valve. Concluded simulation goals for the research included developing computational heat exchanger models for the hybrid system inclusive of the bottoming heat exchanger and the recuperative heat exchanger, and then combining the computational recuperator model with the computational valve model. Afterwards, the computational models were then integrated to predict the dynamic operation of hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine cycles throughout a design space and reporting such. The scope stated in the preceding paragraph was packaged into five specific goals: 1) enabling the simulation of dynamic combined heat and power through the creation of computational, modular heat exchanger models; 2) simulation and exploration of the CHHP system’s performance by integrating the heat exchanger models with the national lab’s pre-existing hybrid system (computational) simulation, but without the recuperator bypass valve concept in order to initially determine how the (baseline) system behaves and can be controlled in order to meet variable heat and power demands; 3) development and initial deployment of the high-temperature recuperator bypass valve technology in order to confirm and characterize the approach; 4) usage of the experimental data for the valve to create a semi-empirical computational model for the bypass valve which could then be combined with the heat exchanger computational models; 5) repeat of the second task of simulating and exploring the system’s performance, but this time including the bypass valve to resolve its efficacy. Tasks were successfully completed, and the general notion of flexibly operating, high electrical efficiency CHHP was further corroborated. Supportive details are provided in the report.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Adoption of Plug-in Electric Vehicles: Local Fuel Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Across the U.S.

The dependence on gasoline-powered light-duty automobiles has made U.S. households vulnerable to the burden of fuel costs. Tailpipe emissions from these vehicles constitute 58% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., which are damaging to the environment (EPA, 2023). The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has been shown to effectively reduce fuel costs and GHG emissions. However, local effects on these benefits are not well understood by American consumers, potentially limiting adoption and therefore the realization of PEV benefits at scale (MacInnis & Krosnick, 2020; EY Americas, 2023). To fill this research gap, this study estimates the fuel cost savings and GHG emission reductions at the state and ZIP code levels by considering local fuel prices, vehicle class preference, average vehicle model year, fuel efficiencies, and driving intensities. The study's findings reveal that the adoption of PEVs can yield substantial benefits in terms of fuel cost savings and GHG emission reductions nationwide. Specifically, driving a battery electric vehicle (BEV) is estimated to result in annual savings of up to $\$2,200$, while driving a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can lead to savings up to $\$1,500$, when compared to an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) of equivalent size. Moreover, using population-weighted averages by ZIP code, BEVs and PHEVs show the potential to save 400 and 200 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mile, respectively, compared to a representative ICEV of the same class. The magnitude of fuel cost savings and emissions reduction vary by region due to various factors. Generally, regions with high gasoline prices, low electricity prices, preferences for larger vehicles, and high driving intensities tend to see relatively large fuel savings. The emissions reductions are more pronounced in areas with clean grids where consumer preferences lie with large vehicles. This regional variability underscores the importance of considering local contextual factors when assessing the potential benefits of PEV adoption. In more than 99% of U.S. ZIP codes, PEVs result in overall savings in fuel use (and subsequent costs) and GHG emissions. While not a central focus of this analysis, reductions in GHG tailpipe emissions from PEV adoption would also come with reductions in criteria pollutant emissions, contributing to improved local air quality depending on the PEV penetration, population density, and electricity generation infrastructure in the locality.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗