Comparing emission reduction among energy solutions

CO2 sign by a field

Alternative solutions to maximize power and reduce emissions

Alternative solutions to maximize power and reduce emissions

Which energy solutions provide the ideal combination of maximum power performance that enhances efficiency while also minimizing or eliminating emissions?

The right answer for a company’s power needs depends, of course, on the application, the company’s access to lower carbon options and the budget at their disposal. 

There are a range of cleaner energy solutions that can greatly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and can enable companies to meet sustainability goals.  

We will take a look at four of those in this article: advanced internal combustion engines (ICE), ICE-battery hybrids, fuel cell systems and battery-electric systems. 

Adopting these cleaner energy solutions today can make an immediate, positive impact on the environment. They also can enable companies to achieve energy transition initiatives. 

Advanced internal combustion engines: Cleaner power

Conventional ICEs provide the reliable power needed for mining, rail, oil and gas, defense, marine and power generation equipment. 

But ICEs are some of the largest sources of emissions. For example, they produce direct emissions through their tailpipes or exhaust pipes. ICE systems account for 25% of harmful emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These emissions include nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to ozone depletion. Particulate matter (PM) impacts air quality issues. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) contribute to climate change. 

ICE designs are optimized and so widely adopted that they are not likely to be replaced in the near term. They can be cleaner, however, with advanced solutions and lower carbon alternative fuels. Among them: natural gas engines offer dependable, clean and quiet performance, as well as low emissions. Natural gas, while a fossil fuel, also provides high efficiency, low total fuel costs and reduced dependence on imported oil. Hydrogen, renewable diesel and biofuels also show much potential as clean-burning alternatives to fossil fuels for ICEs. 

Additional benefits are the extensive ICE knowledge base and training available to support operators and technicians.

Discover more alternative fuels.

ICE-battery hybrids reduce fossil fuel consumption

Another proven solution, ICE-battery hybrids, can power a range of applications, within the power generation and industrial markets.

An ICE-battery hybrid typically burns less fuel than conventional power systems. It generates and stores energy in a battery. ICE-battery hybrid systems can further boost efficiency by recovering energy through regenerative braking. 

These closed-loop systems draw upon the energy stored in the battery to power electric motors that supplement ICEs. Fuel consumption, operational expenses and total cost of ownership (TCO) are therefore reduced. 

The batteries within ICE-battery hybrid systems can be self-charging, charged by engine power within the system or they are plug-in systems where the battery is charged by grid power. This further reduces the need to burn conventional fossil fuels.

Industrial processes can be powered from the battery. This enables generators driven by ICEs to be downsized. Fewer emissions are released as a result.

Fuel cell systems accelerate energy transition

Fuel cell-battery hybrids and fuel cell generators that are powered by hydrogen emit only water vapor and warm air. They also are more efficient than conventional ICE systems.

To get the full environmental benefits of hydrogen, it must be produced using lower emission sources of energy such as natural gas, wind and solar.
Yet a significant challenge to overcome is the lack of infrastructure to fuel the hydrogen fuel cell systems. Nevertheless, hydrogen is expected to play an important role in rail, marine, mining and power generation markets. 

Hydrogen fuel cells are one of the commonly known fuel cells. They convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a reaction from a continuous supply of a fuel and an oxidizer. 

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are another example. They are a highly efficient, environmentally friendly technology. They can be designed for smaller-scale as well as large-scale power generation from natural gas or coal-derived synthesis gas.

The costs of fuel cell systems are expected to decline as adoption grows across industries. That will make them more competitive with ICE solutions.
Likewise, adoption of hydrogen fuel cells can help to diversify energy generation options.

Battery-electric systems minimize emissions

Applications can run on battery-electric solutions that store energy to power systems. 

They release no exhaust system emissions. However, the batteries are primarily charged by plugging into electricity grids which release emissions at the point of power generation. 

The majority of electricity in many regions of the world is generated by burning fossil fuels. Therefore, battery-electric solutions can provide a cleaner alternative when the sources of electricity have a lower carbon footprint. Alternative sources include hydropower, nuclear, solar and wind. 

The purchase price of battery-electric systems is typically more expensive than similar conventional power systems. However, total lifecycle costs can be reduced through fuel savings, tax credits and other regional incentives.

Solutions for every energy requirement 

The buildup of CO2 and other GHGs is warming the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the climatic changes that we are experiencing today. 

Companies can choose to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions from their operations, facilities and fleets. This requires investing in solutions ranging from advanced engines to hybrid systems that pair ICE and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies with batteries, and to pure battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell systems that release no local emissions.

Today, there are options well-suited for wherever companies are at on their energy transition journey.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

The 15 White Coats Partners with Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore, powered by Cummins, to bring African American literature to Indianapolis Schools

mobile bookstore

The RESILIENT READERS BOOK CLUB is a school age book gifting initiative created by the nationally renowned The 15 White Coats and Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore to provide access to high quality Black literature through book boxes placed inside of youth centered organizations. The Indianapolis launch is made possible by global power leader Cummins Inc., through its Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative. We are all committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Moreover, we are committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact in the city of Indianapolis, IN.

Who

In 2019, The 15 White Coats (www.the15whitecoats.org), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to diversify medicine through mentorship, literacy accessibility, and economic assistance. The 15 White Coats started after a photo of 15 Tulane School of Medicine African-American medical students posing in front of plantation slave quarters went viral. The organization has helped over 2000 students with over $500,000 in scholarships to help with entering the healthcare field, whether it’s physicians, dentists, PAs, optometrists, NPs, nurses, etc. Moreover, nearly 10,000 15 White Coats photos have been distributed to schools, students, institutions, and businesses worldwide. 

The non-profit has been featured by Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, New Orleans Times-Picayune, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, U.S. Today, AAMC, AMA and People Magazine.

Visit their site to learn more. 


Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore is a bookstore on wheels sharing stories that uplift Black life, Black heritage, and Black joy. Described as a "bookstore on wheels with ice cream truck energy” owner, Natalie Pipkin is on a mission to provide access and awareness to Black stories as well as excitement and engagement around reading, Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore debuted as Indiana's first bookstore on wheels June 2022 and is the first of its kind in the region. Since its initial online launch in December 2020, Black Worldschoolers has been a recipient of the Jrue & Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund, featured in Sports Illustrated, Scripps News, The Indianapolis Star, WFYI, FOX59 and WRTV. 

Visit the Black Worldschoolers site to learn more.


Cummins Inc., is a 104-year-old global power technology leader, with complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 73,600 people and is committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality ofopportunity. Cummins has a deeply rooted history in fighting for social justice, serving its communities and living the company’s core values of diversity and inclusion.

In October 2020, Cummins Inc. launched Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) so Cummins could take a leading role in the work to dismantle systemic discrimination against the Black community in the U.S. As a first step in this journey, CARE brings together all Cummins' capabilities - its people, its balance sheet and the company’s philanthropy - to drive racial equity and combat the impact of racism on its people, communities, and economy. 

Through CARE, Cummins is taking decisive action to address, and spearhead change throughout targeted CARE communities in the U.S., across four impact areas:

  • Police reform
  • Criminal justice reform
  • Economic empowerment
  • Social justice reform

Through CARE’s efforts, Cummins is dedicated to improving communities in which it operates to have a direct impact on the lives of its employees and its neighbors.

WHY

According to Indiana’s National Assessment Educational Progress (NAEP), only 33% of 4th graders in Indiana read at or above a proficient level, with Black students among those suffering most. The NAEP results reflect the reality of educational inequities created by centuries of systemic racism that are still present today. How do we begin to engage and excite youth in the area of reading? High quality, culturally relevant books that can serve as mirrors and motivation to a historically left out population is a start. The Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood of Indianapolis has a scarcity of books in places where Black children are present and a lack of stories that positively reflect the youth within the communities.

This partnership is created to provide children and families access to enjoyable books, powerful stories and meaningful community interaction that will cultivate, a joy for reading, a healthy sense of self, fruitful lives and future aspirations. We will display boxes containing 15 curated books for K-3rd graders as designed by The 15 White Coats & Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore.

Employees from the Cummins Community Involvement Team (CIT) along with volunteers within partnering organizations will deliver the threetiered book boxes and read stories aloud to the children at site locations throughout the year. Locations in the Martindale-Brightwood community as identified by the Edna Martin Christian Center, Kipp Indy, and other local partners. The partnership will host a literacy event in collaboration with Kipp Indy Schools in Spring 2023 to bring in the Mobile Bookstore and National Book Award Finalist, Author, Derrick Barnes. 

Resilient Readers Book Club is a book gifting initiative for school age children created by the nationally renowned, The 15 White Coats and Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore, providing access to culturally relevant literature to inspire the youth of tomorrow. The Indianapolis area launch will take place March 6th 3 pm-6pm at KIPP Indy Legacy High School, and is powered by Cummins Inc.

We are inviting local and national media outlets to attend this groundbreaking event as well as to print details in order to raise awareness to the importance of having access to culturally relevant literature within our communities.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo), contact Dr. Russell J. Ledet at contact@the15whitecoats.org..

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

Cummins’ Statement on South Carolina’s Proposed Abortion Ban

""

Over the past few months, Cummins has been communicating internally to our employees, and publicly, our concerns with laws and proposals that limit the ability of people to make decisions about their reproductive healthcare. We are very concerned with the proposed legislation in South Carolina that would limit reproductive healthcare access. 

If passed, this legislation will impact our employees, our communities and impede our ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce in South Carolina. Cummins believes that women should have the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions as a matter of gender equity, ensuring that women have the same opportunity as others to participate fully in the workforce and that our workforce is diverse. South Carolina’s proposed legislation is contrary to this goal.

For Cummins to be successful it is critical that we have a safe and welcoming workplace, and communities where we embrace our differences and enable all employees to thrive. As we continue to grow our footprint with a focus on selecting communities that align with our values and business goals, this law will be considered in our decision-making process.

We want to make it clear that Cummins will continue to provide our employees with access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of where they live and are able to make healthcare decisions based on what they believe is right for them.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

Redirecting to
cummins.com

The information you are looking for is on
cummins.com

We are launching that site for you now.

Thank you.