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ONR Partners with Car Industry to Test Energy-Efficient Vehicles

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090318-01
Release Date: 3/18/2009 9:00:00 AM

From the Office of Naval Research Corporate Strategic Communications

ARLINGTON (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) teamed up with an automobile industry leader to explore energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly viable transportation alternatives; a cutting-edge General Motors (GM) Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is the result of the partnership.

As the global automobile industry considers alternative energy sources to replace the traditional internal combustion engine, Jessie Pacheco, a mail clerk at Camp Pendleton, makes his rounds in the FCVs. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has sponsored the GM FCVs at Camp Pendleton since 2006; two more scheduled to arrive later this year.

"These vehicles are the future," said Pacheco. "It's great to see people drive by me, giving me the thumb's up, and asking 'Where can I get one?'"

"Fuel cell vehicle research is clearly a case where the Navy and Marine Corps needs are propelling advanced technology that also has potential benefit to the public," said Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research.

Within the Navy-Marine Corps Team, ONR has researched power and energy technology for decades. Often the improvements to power generation and fuel efficiency for ships, aircraft, vehicles and installations have direct civil application for public benefit.

"There is not a drop of oil in it," explained Shad Balch, a GM representative at Camp Pendleton. "The electric motor provides maximum instant torque right from the get go."

The efficiency of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell may prove to be twice that of an internal combustion engine, if not greater, added Balch.

From an operational perspective, the fuel cell vehicle is quiet yet powerful, emits only water vapor, uses fewer moving parts compared to a combustion engine and offers an alternative to the logistics chain associated with current military vehicles.

The addition of fuel cell vehicles to Camp Pendleton provides a glimpse into the future of advanced transportation technology that reduces reliance on petroleum and affords environmental stewardship benefits such as reduced air pollution and a smaller carbon footprint for Navy and Marine Corps bases.

"Partnering with the military gives us critical feedback from a truly unique application. This will help us as we engineer our next generation of fuel cell vehicles," Balch noted.

Technology underwrites the solutions to both national and naval energy needs. As an ONR program officer in the 1990s, Richard Carlin, Ph.D., recognized the potential of alternative fuel research to help meet the energy challenges of the future. Today, as ONR's director of power and energy research, Carlin is pleased to see the positive reaction to the fuel cell vehicle research program.

"This is an example of where the value of investment in science and technology can really pay off," said Carlin. "Besides the potential energy savings and increased power potential of fuel cell technology, the research and testing we are doing will address challenges like hydrogen production and delivery, durability and reliability, on board hydrogen storage and overall cost."

For example, through its testing ONR has made advances in the storage necessary for achieving greater range in fuel cell automobiles.

Dave Shifler, the program officer managing the alternative fuels initiatives at ONR, emphasizes that partnerships are essential when bringing a new technology forward.

"With the right partnerships, you can accomplish almost anything," stressed Shifler. "We have teamed with the Army from the beginning on this research, sharing technical support, contracting support and usage of the GM fuel cell vehicle."

ONR fuel cell research has not been limited to vehicles and spans the operational spectrum: from ground vehicles to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to man-portable power for Marines and afloat. Hydrogen powered fuel cell technology is one of many programs at ONR in the power and energy research field that is helping the Navy meet the energy needs of both the warfighter and the public.

ONR's partnerships in fuel cell vehicle research include: Headquarters Marine Corps; the Marine Corps Garrison Mobile Equipment office; Southwest Region Force Transportation; Naval Facilities Engineering Services Center, Port Hueneme; Department of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), South Coast Air Quality Management District; California Air Resources Board; California Fuel Cell Partnership; Defense Energy Support Center, General Motors; Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division; U.S. Fuel Cell Council; U.S. Army TARDEC/NAC, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Environment.

ONR provides the science and technology (S&T) necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological warfighting dominance. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in S&T with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1035 institutions of higher learning, and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1400 people, comprised of uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.