Transportation Energy

Transportation Energy programs at Sandia share a common goal: reducing dependence on petroleum-based fuels and developing sustainable alternative fuels and increased efficiency of vehicle technologies.

The United States is at a critical juncture where pressing issues in energy security, climate change, and economic competitiveness are converging.  Aggressive national goals for reducing petroleum use by 25 percent by 2020 and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 will require major improvements in all aspects of our energy use. Meanwhile, the U.S. vehicle industry is under tremendous pressure from international competitors and unparalleled economic conditions.

On March 30, 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama issued the challenge of “…reducing our dependence on oil with cleaner alternative fuels and greater efficiency.”

No single technology solution will address the hurdles in front of us; the future calls for a variety of options available to consumers.  To that end, we have a broad portfolio of research activities related to achieving our transportation energy mission:

• Combustion
• Biofuels
• Hydrogen
• Vehicle Electrification
• Transportation Energy Systems Analysis