Preliminary assessment of the impact of flywheel energy storage technology on taxicab fleet operation in a large metropolitan city

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6608036· OSTI ID:6608036

Krupka, M C; Jackson, S V

The incorporation of flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) into automotive vehicles has been under consideration for some time. Previous studies have suggested that FESS can yield substantial benefits in automotive vehicle operation, particularly for urban driving. This study describes a preliminary assessment of the impacts resulting from incorporation of FESS into automotive fleets in a large metropolitan city. Specifically, the case of taxicab fleet operation within New York City is examined. Unique features of taxicab fleets and taxicab operational characteristics within New York City are described. A levelized life-cycle cost comparison between a standard internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) in present use as a taxicab in NY and a projected FESS/ICEV taxicab has been generated. Potential energy-savings and environmental benefits are discussed, and potential institutional barriers to FESS implementation are identified. The levelized life-cycle cost comparison suggests that: FESS/ICEV costs are 3.3 cent/paid mile less than that of the ICEV; the capital costs represent a small fraction of the total and are less than fuel costs in both categories; and the cost of driving and dispatch is the major cost in both categories. Sensitivity studies performed on several parameters emphasize the value of FESS in taxicab operation in New York City. An assumed 50% increase in fuel economy (miles/gallon) translates to a 33.3% savings in fuel purchase for the same annual accumulated mileage by New York City licensed taxicabs. For approx. 12,000 vehicles at $1.20/gallon, annual savings amount to approx. $30 x 10/sup 6/ (approx. 25 x 10/sup 6/ gallons). Environmental improvement in the form of reduction emissions is to be expected with the introduction of FESS/ICEV taxicabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6608036
• Report Number(s): LA-8722-MS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290700 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Transport & Storage
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330400 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Hybrid Systems
330500* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Flywheel Propulsion
AUTOMOBILES
COST
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY STORAGE
ENGINES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEEL-POWERED VEHICLES
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL ECONOMY
HEAT ENGINES
HYBRID SYSTEMS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
NEW YORK
NEW YORK CITY
NORTH AMERICA
STORAGE
TAXICABS
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
URBAN AREAS
USA
VEHICLES