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Study Finds Strong Synergy Between Spark Ignition Engine Downsizing and Low-to-Moderate Alcohol Blend Fuels

Green Car Congress

A study by engineers from Mahle Powertrain Ltd and BP found strong synergy between spark ignition (SI) engine downsizing and fuel containing low-to-moderate amounts of alcohol, including ethanol and butanol. The researchers found that the combination of technologies allowed improvements in fuel economy over the engine drive cycle.

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DOE to award up to $4.5M to increase acceptance and deployment of alt fuel vehicles

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million ( DE-FOA-0000951 ) to create and implement high impact and highly innovative approaches to increase the acceptance and deployment of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). The alternative fuel types to be addressed under this FOA are specified by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and are: Methanol, ethanol, and other alcohols.

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DOE to award up to $4.5M to projects for alt fuel and advanced vehicle deployment

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement ( DE-FOA-0001097 ) entitled “Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Deployment Initiatives”. Blends of 85% or more of alcohol with gasoline.

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Co-Optima releases capstone report on first 4 years of work

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For the past four years, the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) National Laboratory consortium has focused research efforts primarily on turbocharged (boosted) spark-ignition (SI) engines for light-duty vehicles. The report highlights researchers’ answers to three vital questions: What fuels do engines want?

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Team from GM, Ford, FCA reviews how to calculate engine efficiency benefits of high octane fuels

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A team of engineers from GM Powertrain, Ford and FCA have published a detailed review of how to estimate the engine efficiency benefits of higher octane fuel—e.g., fuel with higher ethanol content—for part- and full-load operation for different engine types and fuel assumptions. —Leone et al.

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