VICTORIA IBIDUNI IBRAHIM | ROOM C400 | DEC 14, 2023 |13:00 – 13:30
PROJECT MENTORS: DOMINIC GIROUX, ESHITA SWAIN, JULIAN FERNANDEZ-ORJUELA, SAUMYA BHAVSAR – WSP IN CANADA
ABSTRACT
In response to Canada’s road transportation sector contributing 156 megatonnes of CO2e emissions in 2019 [1], this capstone project undertakes a comparative operational analysis of Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), H2-ICE, and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The project focuses on assessing the real-world performance of these technologies across various vehicular categories, including Light-Duty, Medium-Duty, Heavy-Duty, and Specialty Vehicles. Utilizing a decision-making framework that categorizes key operational factors within the Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Social (TEES) domains, this project aims to comprehensively assess the operational aspects of HFCVs, H2-ICE, and BEVs, addressing the urgent need to optimize energy technologies in the mobility sector.
INTRODUCTION
In Canada, road transportation is a major contributor to CO2e emissions, which has a significant environmental impact. To address this issue, this project focuses on conducting a comparative operational analysis of alternative energy technologies in road vehicles. The focus is on medium and heavy-duty vehicles as they contribute significantly to transportation emissions. The project uses a decision-making framework that considers technical, environmental, economic, and social criteria. This framework is further enhanced by insights from interviews with fleet managers to facilitate a detailed evaluation of Hydrogen fuel cell systems (HFCS), Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The analysis prioritizes providing actionable insights for fleet owners and addresses the need for sustainable energy technologies in the mobility sector. The broader objective is to contribute to global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability in road transportation.
OBJECTIVE
The project aims to provide a detailed and data-driven analysis of alternative energy technologies in road transportation, focusing on their operational performance and suitability for different vehicle classes, particularly medium and heavy-duty vehicles, with the overarching goal of contributing to environmental sustainability and efficient energy use in the transportation sector.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology for this project is centered around a meticulously developed decision-making framework, which includes a comprehensive set of criteria: technical, environmental, economic, and social. Each of these criteria is further broken down into weighted sub-criteria, established based on insights from fleet manager interviews. The project employs a vehicle classification system based on weight, with a particular focus on medium and heavy-duty vehicles, as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. A key aspect of the methodology is the operational performance assessment, which involves a detailed evaluation of Hydrogen fuel cell systems (HFCS), Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). This assessment examines a range of factors, including technical viability, economic feasibility, environmental impact, and social implications. Data collection is a critical part of this process, drawing from diverse sources such as industry reports and technical data sheets, to quantitatively score and compare the different energy technologies. The methodology also acknowledges current limitations in data availability and the nascent stage of certain technologies, setting the stage for future expansion of the framework to enable a more dynamic and comprehensive analysis.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCE LIST
- Transport Canada (2023, October). Transportation in Canada 2021 Greenhouse gas emissions. Tc.Canada.ca.