The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched the ‘Petroleum Reduction Planning Tool’ – an interactive Web application that allows fleet managers to evaluate the benefits associated with several alternative fuels, including compressed natural gas (CNG) – along with a variety of efficiency measures, such as idle reduction and fuel economy improvements.
The tool will be of assistance to fleet managers, municipalities and consumers considering alternative fuels and energy efficiency strategies for reducing petroleum use, vehicle emissions, and operating costs.
Once a user or fleet manager establishes a set of measurable objectives to meet their desired goals, he or she can save the plan, make adjustments as needed or continue to investigate different scenarios. Easy-to-read charts and tables display annual reductions in emissions, petroleum use and fuel costs. Additionally, each section of the tool links to educational resources that provide background information on each efficiency strategy and alternative fuel.
Click here to access the new tool which is located on the DOE’s redesigned Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) website. The AFDC website also has an updated Alternative Fueling Station Locator.
(This article compiled using information from a US DOE press release)
