Nigel Clark

Energy Consultant to
Transport Energy Strategies

Nigel Clark holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Natal in South Africa. His broad expertise is in energy systems research and development, with emphasis on engines, fuels, emissions, and transportation. Dr. Clark consults in the areas of fuels, engines and emissions, providing analysis, modeling, review, seminars, expert opinion and business evaluations. His most recent contributions have been in ethanol emissions, marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, emissions inventory, and engine controls. He served on the faculty of West Virginia University (WVU) for 34 years, is now the George Berry Chair Emeritus in the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Early in his academic career, Professor Clark was honored as a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator by George H.W. Bush. 

As a research leader, he has conducted programs for the Departments of Energy, Defense and Transportation, the EPA, NASA, CARB, numerous state governments, federal government laboratories, the Environmental Defense Fund, the World Bank, the International Council on Clean Transportation, the Coordinating Research Council, and major energy corporations and engine manufacturers. These programs have addressed conventional and alternative fuels for light-duty vehicles, trucks, buses and locomotives, as well as stationary and marine engines. Nigel’s research included the measurement, quantification and estimation of emissions, with emphasis on real-world impacts, and he has developed test procedures and schedules that are employed widely today. He has extensive experience in the deployment of natural gas and renewable fuels for transportation and has played a major role in advancing free piston engine design for electric generation. He holds patents in engine design and emissions control. 

Dr. Clark has served on National Academies committees addressing vehicle fuel efficiency, is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and has authored or co-authored over 500 papers and technical presentations.

Selected Publications & Studies:

  • DELGADO, O., THOMPSON, G., and CLARK, N.N., “Modeling Transit Bus Fuel Consumption Based on Cycle Properties,” Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, Vol. 61, April 2011, pp. 443-452.CLARK, N.N., McKAIN, D.L., KLEIN, T., and HIGGINS, T., “Quantification of Gasoline-Ethanol Blend Emissions Effects,” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2020.1754964
  • NUSZKOWSKI, J., THOMPSON, G.J., TINCHER, R., and CLARK, N.N., “Heat Release and Emission Characteristics of B20 Biodiesel Fuels During Steady State and Transient Operation,” Society of Automotive Engineers Paper 2008-01-1377, SAE International Congress and Exposition, Detroit, MI, April 2008
  • CLARK, N.N., ATKINSON, C.M., THOMPSON, G.J., and NINE, R.D., “Transient Emissions Comparisons of Alternative Compression Ignition Fuels,” 1999 SAE Transactions, Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, Vol. 108, pp. 468-482
  • DURBIN, T., JIANG, Y., YANG, J., TAN, Y., YOON, S., CHANG, H., COLLINS, J., MALDONADO, H., CARLOCK, M., CLARK, N.N., McKAIN, D.L., COCKER III, D., KARAVALAKIS, G., and JOHNSON, K. “Evaluation of Emissions Benefits of OBD-based Repairs for Potential Application in a Heavy-duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program” Atmospheric Environment, Volume 247, 15 February 2021, 118186, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118186
  • CLARK, N.N., HIGGINS, T., KLEIN, T., McKAIN, D.L., “Emissions from Low- and Mid-level Blends of Anhydrous Ethanol in Gasoline,” SAE World Congress, SAE Paper 2019-01-0997
  • JOHNSON, D.R., HELTZEL, R., NIX, A.C., CLARK, N.N. and DARZI, M., “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency of In-Use High Horsepower Diesel, Dual Fuel, and Natural Gas Engines for Unconventional Well Development.” Applied Energy, Vol. 206, pp. 739-750, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.08.234LI, H., LIU, S., LIEW, C., GATTS, T., WAYNE, W.S., CLARK, N.N., and NUSZKOWSKI, J., “An Investigation of the Combustion Process of a Heavy-Duty Dual Fuel Engine supplemented with Natural Gas or Hydrogen.” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 42, pp.3352-3362, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.12.115
  • PAVLENKO, N., COMER, B., ZHOU, Y., CLARK, N., and RUTHERFORD, D., “The Climate Implications of using LNG as a Marine Fuel,” International Council on Clean Transportation Working Paper 2020-02, January 2020.