ITEE seminar: Andrew Simpson, 10.00AM, Thu 06 Nov 2003

Comparing Future Alternative Fuels and Powertrain Technologies for Vehicles

Speaker: Andrew Simpson, ITEE

When: 10.00AM, Thursday 06 Nov 2003

Venue: 78-420

Host: Dr Geoff Walker

Abstract:

  The Australian light-duty vehicle sector is predominantly fuelled by
  liquid hydrocarbon fuels derived from crude oil.  However, growing
  concern over the environmental impacts and oil-dependence associated
  with widespread automobile use has prompted the investigation of
  alternative fuels and powertrain technologies for motor vehicles.  A
  variety of candidate fuels and technologies are being considered for
  their ability to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and regulated
  air pollutants, meanwhile promoting energy independence through the
  displacement of oil imports.

  This seminar will present the results of a recent study conducted at
  The University of Queensland to compare the energy and emissions
  performance of a variety of alternative fuels and powertrain
  technologies in the Australian context.  The alternative fuels
  considered includes: unleaded petrol, diesel, LPG, natural gas,
  hydrogen, electricity, methanol, ethanol and biodiesel.  The
  powertrain technologies include: advanced internal combustion engine
  vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles and
  battery-electric vehicles.  The relative performance of various fuel
  pathways will be presented in terms of their full-cycle or
  "well-to-wheels" energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Biography:

  Andrew Simpson is a researcher in sustainable vehicle technologies
  and energy systems in the School of Information Technology and
  Electrical Engineering (ITEE) at The University of Queensland.  In
  2000, he received his BE (Mechanical) degree with first-class
  honours from The University of Queensland.  During his degree, he
  was awarded the Shell Prize in thermodynamics and heat transfer and
  the Kinhill Prize for best honours thesis in mechanical engineering.
  He was also a coordinating member of the SunShark solar car team
  from 1997-2000.  In 2000, he commenced a PhD and co-founded the
  University's Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG), and has since
  managed the UltraCommuter sustainable concept vehicle project.  He
  also lectures in electrical power systems within the School of ITEE.
  Andrew is currently near completion of his PhD thesis, and his
  expertise includes the assessment of alternative fuels and
  powertrain technologies in terms of their performance, efficiency,
  emissions and cost.

Contact:

Dr Geoff Walker, seminar host (walkerg@itee.uq.edu.au)
or Guido Governatori (ITEE seminar co-ordinator) (guido@itee.uq.edu.au)

ITEE seminar web page: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~seminar

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