Review energy conversion numbers for transportation sector

[robfairh]

Currently, the model uses the following numbers for converting electricity and hydrogen into gasoline:

• 1 kWh produces the same energy as 0.031 gallons of gasoline.
• 1 kg of Hydrogen produces the same energy as 1 gallon of gasoline.

While this is true for energy conversion and can be used for the energy storage analysis, it might not be true for the transportation sector analysis, as the ICEV (Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle), EV (Electric Vehicle), and FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) don't have the same efficiencies.

A more realistic analysis should be considered. For example:

• An ICEV has an average efficiency of 30 mpg or 0.033 gallons/mile.
• An EV has a range of 250 miles with a 75 kWh battery pack or an efficiency of 0.3 kWh/mile.
• An FCEV has a range of 403 miles with a 5.6 kg or an efficiency of 0.0139 kg/mile.

Then if we calculate the equivalency between technologies, we obtain the following numbers:

• EV: 1/30 / 0.3 = 1/9 = 0.111 gallons/kWh
• FCEV:1/30 / 0.139 = 2.39 gallons/kg

which proves that EV and FCEVs are actually more efficient than ICEVs.

This issue can be closed when the model considers more realistic numbers for the energy equivalency of the different technologies. More specifically, when the entries for the table Efficiency are updated for the technologies ELCVCL and H2VCL.

[robfairh]

Changes in those values may affect the entries in table CostInvest as well.