Electric- Drive Vehicles: Technologies & Policies Public Policy 290-1 (717540200)/ Urban Planning 249-2 (725295201) Spring 2013 Lecture: Course Website: Instructor: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00 3:15pm Public Affairs Bldg. Room 4357 https://ccle.ucla.edu/course/view/13s- PUBPLC290-1?section=0 Brett Williams, MPhil (cantab), PhD Assistant Adjunct Professor, Public Policy EV & Alt.- Fuel Initiative Director, Luskin Center for Innovation bdw@ucla.edu Office: 3323K Public Affairs Bldg. Office hours: T 4 5pm, R 10 11am, and by appointment Course Summary This course will introduce students interested in policymaking, strategic planning, or innovation to the basic scientific and technical concepts required to understand and think critically about policies and strategies related to advanced clean vehicle technologies. It will focus on electric- drive vehicles (hybrid, plug- in- hybrid, battery, and fuel- cell electric vehicles) in a California context that includes such groundbreaking policies as the Zero Emission Vehicle regulations / Advanced Clean Car program, AB32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act), the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and new national fuel- efficiency and greenhouse- gas emission standards. Further Detail This course explores and applies the basic scientific and engineering concepts necessary to properly understand policies and strategies related to transportation technologies and related energy systems. It is designed guide students of public policy, planning, management, and related disciplines to a greater understanding of technological systems and their environmental impacts, and to increase the back of the envelope /spreadsheet numeracy that will guide future thinking as leaders, analysts, and/or consumers. The course also aims to improve literacy about transportation energy systems and related policies and business strategies. As such, it may also be of interest to students with greater levels of scientific experience desiring subject- specific and/or interdisciplinary training. The particular focus of this course is the electric- drive vehicle. Electric- drive vehicles, or EVs, include hybrid, plug- in- hybrid, all- battery, and fuel- cell EVs. In order to provide context for the exploration of this set of particularly pertinent advanced alternative vehicle technologies, we will first briefly investigate the use of petroleum- based fuels in internal combustion engines. Our study of the automobile will offer an understanding of its basic workings, conversion from fuel energy to vehicle propulsion, emissions, and factors that contribute to fuel economy. We will then examine electric- drive alternatives, starting with conventional all- gasoline hybrid vehicles, and progressing to plug- in hybrids, all- battery EVs, and fuel- cell EVs. Technological issues will be discussed, as will up- to- date commercialization status and vehicle sales analysis. Electricity and hydrogen will be contrasted to gasoline as fuel, as will their respective
infrastructures for refueling/recharging. Depending on available time and student interest, biofuels and other alternative combustion fuels may be examined, as may broader application of electric- drive technologies to a variety of transportation systems. Upon completion of the course, students will be well grounded in such technological concepts of vehicle efficiency, fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, electric- drive propulsion, and refueling infrastructure. This discussion will take place in the context of a rich policy environment that includes such groundbreaking policies as California s Zero Emission Vehicle regulations / Advanced Clean Car program, AB32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act), and Low Carbon Fuel Standard, as well as new national fuel- efficiency and greenhouse- gas emission standards. Coursework will therefore include aspects of both technology and policy analysis. Prerequisites The subject matter requires a basic competency in mathematics, but has no prerequisites in physics, chemistry, or engineering. Spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) will be likely be used. Writing and presentation skills will also significantly contribute to the course grade. Course Readings In general, readings will be available via pdfs and links posted on the course website. Two supplementary texts have also been requested for the Reserves section of the Research Library that provide background on energy, the environment, and climate. Course Grading (subject to change) I. Assignments (50% in total) II. Student lectures (10%) III. Class participation (5%) IV. Exams and quizzes (up to 15% total) V. Final project (20%) Assignments Assignments are due in class (or via email to the instructor) at the beginning of class on the due dates. Student Lectures As a graduate student it is important to develop a variety of analytical and communication skills. Distillation and communication of technical subjects is particularly useful. Each student will therefore be responsible for lecturing for half a class once during the quarter, as part of a two- person team. Teams will be drawn by lottery. They may choose from a list of topics to be provided (draft list below) or suggest their own for consideration by the instructor (encouraged, but not all ideas will be accepted). The lecturing team will provide articles for the class to read prior to their lecture. Lecture format is flexible (e.g., can include creative exercises), but must include a technical overview, a policy overview, and facilitation of class discussion/q&a/other learning activity.
The lecturing environment will be respectful and participation by non- participating students will be encouraged as part of the overall participation portion of the grade. Possible Student Lecture Topics might include (DRAFT): Medium- duty vehicles (e.g., delivery trucks) Heavy duty vehicles (e.g., buses and large trucks) Fleets Rail Aviation Marine Freight Neighborhood electric vehicles New Mobility vehicles and systems Technologies for automobile safety Air pollution control technologies o Gasoline (SI) engines o Diesel (CI) engines Hydrogen infrastructure strategies (production, distribution, fueling of vehicles) Electricity infrastructure strategies (production, distribution, fueling of vehicles) Biofuel, natural- gas, or flex- fueled hybrids Projecting technology impact: Consumer adoption Transition barriers Market diffusion Test versus real- world performance Class Participation Active participation increases learning, provides the instructor with information about student comprehension and the effectiveness of teaching (particularly for a new course), and creates a more dynamic environment. For these reasons and, perhaps more importantly, in order to help student lecture teams achieve successful presentation/moderation experiences, active engagement will be incentivized with a portion of the grade. Exams & Quizzes The grade will primarily be determined based on activities that allow the use of ample time and resources, in some cases including collaboration with other students. This will be supplemented by assessment of individual literacy and competency in course topics through examination. The number and structure of the exams is to be determined but are not expected to account for more than 15% of the grade in total. Final Projects A final project will allow students to integrate material from assignments, lectures, spreadsheet calculations, and outside research into an individualized electric- drive- vehicle design, impact, & policy implications report.
DRAFT Class Schedule (Spring 2013) Week Class Date Topic Possible subtopics 1 1 2- Apr Intro Conceptual overview of the course. Some perspectives on transportation energy use and impacts. Motivation and goals of the course. What do you want to learn? 2 4- Apr Principles of energy Motion, forces, power, work, energy, efficiency, units 2 3 9- Apr Conventional: well- to- tank Fuel- cycle analysis, reserves, extraction, transportation, security, refining, delivery, dispensing 3 4 11- Apr Conventional: tank- to- wheels Fuel energy, combustion, thermodynamic principles, engine cycles and types, operation and performance, emissions, advanced ICEs 3 5 16- Apr Vehicular energy (road loads) Forces (drag, aero, inertia), power, energy; reducing road- load 6 18- Apr Improving powertrains: hybrid EVs Typologies, configurations, motors, products, sales 4 7 23- Apr Plug- in- hybrid and all- battery EVs Typologies, configurations, batteries, products, characteristics, sales 8 25- Apr Fuel- cell EVs Configurations, fuel- cells, products, characteristics, sales 5 9 30- Apr Hydrogen fuel Qualities, safety, dispensing, delivery, production, fuel- cycle analysis 10 2- May Electric fuel Qualities, safety, dispensing, delivery, production, fuel- cycle analysis 6 11 7- May Student lectures (2 teams) Picked by student teams of 2 12 9- May Midterm exam. AB32, LCFS Climate, emissions, freight, other modes, fuel alternatives, fuel- cycle analysis, uncertainty 7 13 14- May CAFE and federal GHG regulations Calculation, GHG harmonization, analysis, fuel efficiency vs. economy 14 16- May Guest lecture: Prof. Wachs How to charge PEVs for road use? 8 15 21- May Student lectures (2 teams) Picked by student teams of 2 16 23- May ZEV regs and Advanced Clean Cars Emissions, ZEV regulations, Clean Fuel Outlet 9 17 28- May Student lectures (2 teams) Picked by student teams of 2 18 30- May PEV readiness planning Infrastructure design, NPV viability analysis; incentives, zoning, building, permitting, parking, and utility policies 10 19 4- Jun Student lectures (2 teams) Picked by student teams of 2 20 6- Jun Student lectures and wrap- up Picked by student teams of 2 Finals Final exam?? [We ll see]
Course Readings & Resources (roughly in class sequence, not order of importance; a partial and evolving list see updates to this document, the course website, and lectures for more details on required vs. recommended readings, etc.) Required U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2012) Energy Explained website: http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm Lewin (1999) physics of motion lecture: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01- physics- i- classical- mechanics- fall- 1999/video- lectures/lecture- 2/ Skurich (2010) Rolling resistance and tires: http://www.tirereview.com/article/72012/rolling_resistance_what_really_makes_a_tire_fuelefficient.aspx Recommended Carnesale America s Climate Choices: http://www.environment.ucla.edu/videos/article.asp?parentid=13018 Sebastian Pole to Pole: http://www.environment.ucla.edu/videos/article.asp?parentid=16154 Additional resources (not necessarily required): (roughly in class sequence, not order of importance) CEC s Glossary of Energy Terms: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/tools Lindsey (2009) Description of Earth's energy balance: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/energybalance/ Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) (2012) Flowcharts (carbon and energy): https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/index.html Lewin (1999) Classical Mechanics (introductory MIT physics lectures; also available for free on itunes U) http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01- physics- i- classical- mechanics- fall- 1999/video- lectures New Mexico Solar Energy Association (NWSEA) Curricula (especially: Energy Concepts Primer, Introduction to DC Energy) http://www.nmsea.org/curriculum/primer/energy_physics_primer.htm Georgia State University HyperPhysics (mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity & magnetism sections): http://hyperphysics.phy- astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html Keveney Animated Engines: http://www.animatedengines.com/index.html Brain How Automobiles Work http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automobile.htm
Fowler (2008) Carnot Cycle animation: http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlets/carnot.htm Woodbank Electropaedia http://www.mpoweruk.com/heat_engines.htm Misc. other useful information (e.g., for problem sets and final project) Davis et al. (2012) Transportation Energy Data Book (pdf and data): http://cta.ornl.gov/data/index.shtml EPA (2013) Dynamometer Drive Schedules: http://www.epa.gov/nvfel/testing/dynamometer.htm EPA and DOE (2013) Download Fuel Economy Data: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/download.shtml U.S. Department of Energy s Alternative Fuel Data Center tools: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/tools U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2012) Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database (egrid) (power- plant characteristics) http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy- resources/egrid/index.html IEA s stats page: http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp General education Turning Numbers Into Knowledge: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving by Jonathan Koomey, Analytics Press, Oakland, 2001. Consider a Spherical Cow: A Course in Environmental Problem Solving by John Harte, University Science Books, 1988. Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Lessons in Environmental Problem Solving by John Harte, University Science Books, 2001. Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher, by Richard P. Feynman, Addison- Wesley, 1995. Naked Scientists podcasts, Cambridge University (various).