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Future transportation technologies will rely on clean and flexible fuel, advanced conventional and hybrid powertrains, and higher performance and durable materials. These advanced transportation technologies are currently being evaluated by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Program and Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Infrastructure Technologies Program. The work of these programs is very technical in nature and requires extensive knowledge of diverse and highly complex technologies. SENTECH uses its team of analytical, engineering, and outreach experts to work with clients to extend the technical capabilities of fuel cell, advanced engines, and hybrid vehicles to power this proposed future transportation system and to enable the U.S. transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets.
Our experienced staff has developed technical reports assessing the status of new technologies, performing economic analyses and technical evaluations, preparing program plans, and conducting outreach activities. During this work, SENTECH has assisted clients in establishing goals and objectives; identifying technical, economic, and institutional barriers; establishing targets to overcome these barriers; and establishing specific milestones to track the progress. Our company has received superior performance recognitions in addressing stakeholder needs; responding to local and national level issues; supporting various technical teams comprised of automakers, national labs, and other stakeholders; and organizing technical merit reviews and assisting in national level topical reports like the Fuel Cell Report to Congress and Five-Year Strategic R&D Program Plans.
The SENTECH staff actively participates in various government/industry “Tech Teams” working on vehicle simulations and advanced fuel cell, hydrogen, powertrains, and energy storage technologies. This work requires interaction with representatives from various national laboratories, auto manufacturers, and energy companies on regular basis. In addition, SENTECH is assisting in education and outreach activities at DOE and has been responsible for developing documentaries, educational CDs, and outreach plans to inform stakeholders of the importance of DOE's transportation program. SENTECH also supports collaborative government/industry and government/government activities including the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee, and International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy.
Our staff also promotes advanced transportation technologies through their involvement in not-for-profit organizations. Currently, staff members hold positions on the Board of Directors for the Center for Transportation and Environment and are represented in the memberships of the National Hydrogen Association, Society of Automotive Engineers, American Society of Engineering Management, and Project Management Institute.
SENTECH’s experimental research team is taking aim at revolutionizing the automotive industry by advancing the state-of-the-art in carbon fiber manufacturing. Carbon fiber composites can be used to lightweight vehicles, potentially lowering fuel consumption and emissions. As a research partner in this effort with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, SENTECH has made significant progress in making low-cost carbon fiber a reality.
Federal agencies must comply with various, and sometimes competing, fleet regulations to increase alternative fuel use and reduce petroleum use. DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is charged with providing guidance to agencies on how to comply with regulations and track their progress. The SENTECH team assists FEMP in the development of guidance documents to assist fleet managers in successfully meeting federal requirements. In addition, the staff coordinates technology testing programs for potential fleet implementation and organizes industry forums to accelerate the development of alternative fuel infrastructure.
SENTECH offers a depth of technical expertise in advanced batteries, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells. The staff develops requests for proposal, reviews proposals and DOE-funded R&D projects, and responds to requests from the public and Congress. Market transformation activities are also undertaken that require collaboration with other federal agencies and development of financing models to facilitate deployments of early market commercial fuel cell products. SENTECH also develops program presentations and reports for various offices and manages education and outreach activities.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) offer significant improvements in fuel economy, convenient low-cost recharging capabilities, potential environmental benefits, and decreased reliance on imported petroleum. In addition, it may be a technology that can improve the reliability and power quality of the electric grid. Despite these potential benefits, the comparatively high initial cost of PHEVs (due to expensive batteries) presents a major market barrier to their widespread commercialization and adoption by consumers. SENTECH is currently partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ohio State University's Center for Automotive Research, and others in an in-depth study to identify value propositions capable of achieving a sustainable market for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2030. Reports and news articles relating to this work are available at the PHEV Value Proposition Study website.
To learn more about our Advanced Transportation work, contact Dick Ziegler at 865-671-5650, ext. 101.
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