Volpe Center Supports Biomass Board, U.S. DOT Alternative Fuels Initiatives
The Federal Biomass Research & Development (R&D) Board, a congressionally mandated interagency organization, tasked the U.S. DOT with organizing a Federal Biofuels Distribution Infrastructure Interagency Working Group (DI-IWG) to evolve bio-based fuel production technologies and processes in accordance with the Board’s National Biofuels Action Plan (BNAP).
The Volpe Center assembled the DI-IWG, which includes over 40 participants from across the Federal government, to research impediments to biofuels transport from the point of domestic production to the point of retail sale. The Volpe Center led three key areas of study on behalf of the DI-IWG: 1) assessment of the feasibility of pipeline use for biofuels transport; 2) identification of short- and long-term multimodal infrastructure bottlenecks inhibiting biofuels development; and 3) documentation of existing Federal Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based assets that may better link transportation infrastructure, biofuels demand, and resources such as feedstock and water. Volpe Center experts reported DI-IWG efforts to the Biomass R&D Board in December 2008.
Recently the Volpe Center supported the U.S. DOT's and RITA's leadership of national and international industry committees and working groups, including the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee, the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, the Federal Interagency Working Group on Alternative Fuels, the International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy Regulations, Codes, and Standards subcommittee, and many others.
In addition to thought leadership activities, the Volpe Center supported the highly successful Hydrogen Drive 2008 in Sacramento, California. The event enabled local and national media and other interested parties to experience hydrogen powered vehicles from major automotive manufacturers in real-world operation.
The event was followed by Hydrogen Road Tour 2008, a 13-day, 31-stop event covering 18 states from Maine to California. The road tour included nine different original equipment manufacturer vehicles, which were driven cross country to increase awareness of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Volpe Center provided planning, logistics support, and staffing for this event.
The Hydrogen Road Tour 2008 stops at the Volpe Center. (
Volpe Center photo)
