Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) News
Printer Friendly VersionSouthwest Research Institute wins $14 million, 5-year EPA contract for advanced engine testing, optimization
San Antonio -- Dec. 4, 2003 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) a five-year contract worth up to $14.3 million to provide engineering support in developing advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient automotive technology.
This clean automotive technology program will research and test the potential of hybrid vehicle technologies. The Institute has teamed with AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc., a subcontractor for this project, and will provide staff to work at the EPA's National Vehicle and Fuels Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"The primary focus of this contract will be to test and develop high-efficiency engines with low emissions rates," said Gary Stecklein, director of SwRI's Department of Vehicle Systems Research. "We will test and optimize advanced technology engines, powertrains and hydraulic pump motors."
Since 1994, the Department of Vehicle Systems Research has supported the EPA on improving vehicle and engine designs.
"This contract expands our existing base of EPA work," said Bob Burrahm, work assignment manager of the EPA project and Program Manager in SwRI's Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division. "We have been providing electronic engine management and controls expertise to the EPA for nearly a decade and already have engineers in Ann Arbor to support these efforts. This new award goes beyond electronic controls into basic combustion and hardware development and optimization."
As an independent, multidisciplinary research, development and testing organization, SwRI offers an unbiased, third-party perspective. The Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division has achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized quality standard, and ISO 14001, an environmental management system standard. In addition, SwRI has the expertise to perform combustion visualization, detailed airflow analysis, combustion bomb testing, and competitive engine and vehicle benchmarking. The division also develops specialized instruments, control systems, test apparatus, and data acquisition systems to help achieve engine and vehicle performance and emissions goals.
AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc. is the world's largest privately owned, independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel, alternative fuel powertrain systems as well as fuel cell and hybrid technologies. The company also manufactures powertrain instrumentation and test systems. AVL's North American headquarters is located in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth, Mich., with an additional test center in Ann Arbor. AVL has 2,850 employees worldwide. For more information about AVL, contact Amy Howell at (734) 414-9608.
For more information, contact Tracey Whelan, Communications Department, (210) 522-2256, Fax (210) 522-3547, PO Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510.
