New Fuels and Technologies Are the Focus of Assistant DOE Secretary Garman’s Recent Visit

David Garman, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Office, visited Argonne National Laboratory on March 21, 2003, to learn more about research, development, and deployment activities taking place at Argonne in support of key EERE strategic initiatives.

Garman’s visit included a discussion of biomass energy opportunities at Argonne’s Industrial Process and Recycling Facilities; demonstrations and discussion concerning fuel cell vehicle modeling, simulation, and hydrogen use at the Transportation Technology Research and Development Center and Advanced Powertrain Research Facility (APRF); a walkthrough of the Locomotive Engine Test Facility; and presentations showcasing innovative approaches to fuel cell design, auxiliary power, and hydrogen production at Argonne’s Fuel Cell/Hydrogen Production facilities.

Hydrogen production and utilization were recurring themes as Laboratory officials showed Garman how current Argonne research supports DOE’s work to promote fuel cell development, reduce dependence on oil imports, and increase use of alternative domestic energy sources such as biomass and hydrogen.

As Argonne's Laboratory Director Hermann Grunder (left) and Associate Laboratory Director Harvey Drucker (right) observe, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Energy David Garman (center) invokes a "Hardware-In-the-Loop" test of a hybrid-electric powertrain during a recent visit to the Advanced Powertrain Research Facility. The powertrain automatically drove the Federal Urban Drive Cycle speed trace that is used to assess vehicle energy economy and emissions.