Sunday, April 29, 2012


Week 4 Recap

                This week in our meeting we began to compile data which we acquired from the GREET 1 model.   Looking at the data given, we came to the conclusion that it might be necessary to come up with some sort of grading system for the various fuel sources.  The reason we are looking into developing this, is because we have no measure of which data points carry the most weight, and should be treated as larger contributors to the overall “score” of a fuel.  As an example, a full electric car has practically no CO2 emissions when compared with a gasoline-powered car, but expends considerably more energy during the production of its “fuel”.  Our grading system will need to compare the significance of the various data points in order to properly weigh them against one another.
                So having gotten this far into the data, we expect to be posting our findings to the blog very soon.  The task of generating our grading system is now one of the deliverables for the coming weeks as well.  The method of our grading system shall be made available with the results.  In order to better prepare our data, we will also be starting to layout our final presentation, which should help us develop charts and tables from our data.

Assignments:
  • Bryan and Eric will be working on the development of our data through the grading system.
  • Tiancheng and Ross will be starting our final presentation to help us understand what we need to make our data more presentable.
  • Dan will be continuing construction on the blog.  Consolidating pages, and editing.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012


Week 3 Recap

In our meeting this week, we discussed the features of the GREET models that we had been researching.  We were able to come to the conclusion that the information provided to us by the model would prove invaluable in our efforts to investigate the various fuels systems.  The most important feature to note from the models were their ability not only to look at the efficiency of a vehicles operation, but also the impacts, emissions, and energy used just to create the vehicles which employ them.  It is also important to note that the list of considerations that went into the generation of these models goes way beyond just these few.  We will provide a much more in-depth look into the GREET models which will be available on this blog in the coming weeks.
Based on the results that we were starting to see from the GREET models, we decided that it would be prudent to start planning our next course of action.  Because we intend on providing an answer to the alternative energy question, we will be trying to generate numbers to simulate the costs associated with updating  the country’s infrastructure to accommodate the best solution.
 
Assignments:
  • ·         Ross, Bryan, and Tiancheng will be compiling the data that they have been given by the GREET 1 simulation.  From the data they will be pooling together the key components that are relevant to our study and creating a table. 
  • ·         Eric will finish analyzing the second model, GREET 2.7, which focuses on the creation, usage, and eventual recycling of the vehicle chassis itself.  This model should help further illustrate the differences between the vehicle types we are looking at.
  • ·         Dan will be focusing on maintenance and renovation of the project website.  In addition to this, he will also be assisting Eric with the research into GREET 2.7.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Week 2 Recap

         After reviewing our preliminary research, the group had a much better handle on what we were confronting.  As we discussed the problems and benefits of each of our assigned systems, we were beginning to see why an alternative system has yet to take over the industry from gasoline.  While most people consider any other source of energy for transportation to be a leap past the fossil fuel pot hole, many of the alternative just aren't able to compete.  Allow us to whitewash gasoline for a moment and present some reasons why gasoline is the "best" choice for the industry:
  • Convenience
    • Replenishing the system takes minutes
    • System can be used immediately whenever it is needed
  • Power
    • Strong enough to enable large vehicles
  • Comfort
    • excess heat from engine used in heating vehicles cabin
    • large engines capable of running AC compressors 
          Some people are probably screaming about some of the points made above, please allow me to explain.  These pieces are not listed to suggest that no other source is capable of meeting them, but rather to point out the fundamental issue with the alternative fuel discussion: The bar has been set!  Nearing the end of it's reign over the transportation industry, gasoline was able to set the precedent that any aspiring replacement system would have to meet before it could every hope to replace it.  If it were not for the benefits that we have all come to enjoy from gasoline, we would not consider switching to an alternate a compromise or sacrifice.
          Now the question becomes:  Will the ever increasing strain of fossil fuels force the industry to shift, or will another system arise to pick up where gasoline has fallen?  This leads our group further down the rabbit hole exploring different methods of comparison between the various contenders to the forefront of the automotive industry.  We will be looking at both of the greet models along with various other sources to help us answer our question.

Assignments:
  • Dan and Eric will be looking at GREET 2.7 which covers the cradle to grave cycle of the vehicles themselves
  • Bryan, Tiancheng, and Ross will be looking at GREET 1 2011 which focuses on the production, transportation, implementation, and emissions of the various fuel sources

Friday, April 6, 2012


            Here is what our group has accomplished in week 1.  From the list below, each member will be doing research into the various modes of automotive power systems.  From this research, we hope to be able to get a better handle on what the various systems are really all about so that we can better understand how to move forward with our assignment.
Contact List:
·       Ross            rm822@drexel.edu
o   Hydrogen fuel cells
·       Bryan          bca36@drexel.edu
o   Bio fuels
·       Tiancheng (Steven)      ts636@drexel.edu
o   Hybrid systems
·       Eric             els82@drexel.edu
o   Electric
·       Dan            das425@drexel.edu
o   Gasoline

Objectives for week 2:
Please gather the following and type up to post on the blog.  I am not sure how it works yet, but if we can, please post the document straight to the blog so we can all get to your work.  Relevant pictures would be awesome, just save the details about the image so we can cite them later.