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From page 6...
... 6This section discusses the main characteristics of the alternative fuels considered in this study: • Status of technology • Infrastructure and equipment requirements • Potential environmental benefits • Conditions under which alternative fuels are cost competitive • Potential challenges • Potential user groups Each characteristic is covered to some extent within Sections 2.1 through 2.4. Potential user groups and an overview of the current status of fueling infrastructure for alternative fuels in the United States are discussed in more detail in Sections 2.5 and 2.6, respectively.
From page 7...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 7 initiatives include using new feedstocks such as algae and municipal solid waste, using carbon monoxide from the production of iron, and converting sugars into jet fuel.
From page 8...
... 8 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs What new infrastructure and equipment will be required to store and distribute alternative jet fuels manufactured by the FT process? No changes to existing (1)
From page 9...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 9 What challenges are associated with utilizing the FT process to manufacture alternative jet fuels?
From page 10...
... 10 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs What new infrastructure and equipment will be required to store and distribute alternative jet fuels manufactured by the HEFA process? No changes to existing (1)
From page 11...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 11 • Availability of an existing refinery whose infrastructure can be used by the HEFA facility; and • Substantial demand for co-products.
From page 12...
... 12 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs What is the status of ATJ technology? Alcohol to jet fuel technology is unproven at commercial scale but is very promising.
From page 13...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 13 • The impact of crop-based ATJ feedstocks on water availability and pollution may be controversial because of the increasingly visible water-energy-food nexus (see the discussion in Section 5.5.3.2)
From page 14...
... 14 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs What are some challenges associated with utilizing FRJ fuels? Some challenges associated with this technology include the following: • The technology is young.
From page 15...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 15 • Minimal feedstock transportation costs; or • Adequate demand for co-products.
From page 16...
... 16 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs It is important to make a distinction between green diesel as a co-product from an FT or HEFA process and "biodiesel." See Section 2.4.2 for a discussion of the latter. What is the status of technology for green diesel?
From page 17...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 17 What potential challenges are associated with green diesel?
From page 18...
... 18 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs pure biodiesel (B100) or high-concentration biodiesel blends are not for several reasons.
From page 19...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 19 • Diesel engine warranties often restrict the concentration of biodiesel permitted in the fuel.
From page 20...
... 20 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs January 2011 (though this is still a small fraction of the approximately 140,000 publicly accessible gasoline stations in the United States)
From page 21...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 21 As of January 2012, a gallon of E85 cost $3.14, compared to $3.37 for a gallon of conventional gasoline.
From page 22...
... 22 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs What is the status of CNG technology? CNG is available in commercial scale because a wide-ranging, extensive network of pipelines exists in the United States for natural gas transport and delivery.
From page 23...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 23 • A consequence of the relatively low number of CNG-powered vehicles is a much less mature refueling infrastructure.
From page 24...
... 24 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs The water impact of LPG depends on the way it was extracted. Hydrocarbons extracted via conventional drilling methods consume the least water/BTU relative to other transportation fuels (DOE 2006)
From page 25...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 25 What is the status of electricity technology?
From page 26...
... 26 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs Who are the potential user groups of electricity? Electricity is used (or could be used)
From page 27...
... What Are the Main characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 27 For conversion to other types of alternative fuels that would require investment in dedicated vehicles, such as CNG or electricity, further incentives from the airport and local and federal programs may be required.
From page 28...
... 28 Assessing Opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs fuels to off-airport customers has the potential to strengthen the financial position of airports that choose to explore it. When considering the motivations for operators to switch to alternative fuels, especially for surface transportation, it is important to keep in mind conclusions from observations and past experience: • When purchasing a vehicle, a buyer becomes committed to using specific types of fuel, e.g., diesel or gasoline, as the vehicle cannot be switched between the two.
From page 29...
... What Are the Main Characteristics of Alternative Fuels? 29 For illustration purposes, it is useful to compare the penetration of alternative fuel infrastructure to that of conventional fuel.
From page 30...
... 30 Assessing opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs trucks. These disadvantages have, in the past, held down demand for what is a viable alternative fuel.

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