8 conversion workshops operational by end of 2008
UAE, Abu Dhabi
Natural gas’s popularity as an alternative fuel in the Middle East continues to rise with the Technical Committee Responsible for Implementing Compressed Natural Gas as a Cleaner Alternative holding its 14th meeting on December 25, 2007. Committee members discussed the progress achieved so far in terms of reaching Abu Dhabi Emirate’s goal of having 20% of the Abu Dhabi Government cars converted to run on CNG by January, 2012.
After years of almost no growth in natural gas vehicle (NGV) numbers, Mexico is set to increase numbers tenfold between now and 2016. The Mexican Energy Secretariat (SENER) has released a vision for the future, outlining annual growth projections of 24%. NGV numbers are expected to rise by 25,600 from 2,800 now to 28,400 by 2016. Though the numbers are still modest by international standards, SENER has put natural gas in the alternative fuel policy spotlight. Significantly, SENER projects a 10% decline in propane (LPG) use for vehicles over the same period.
The Board of the Town of Brookhaven (Long Island, NY) has passed a resolution that all contracts for the collection of refuse, recyclables and yard waste for their 35 collection bid areas (CBAs) must utilize CNG trucks. The resolution authorizes the Department of Waste Management to prepare bids for the collection-contracts that require the carters to utilize CNG vehicles. The new contract will take effect on January 1, 2009.
USA & Thailand
Omnitek Engineering, Corp. and Omnitek Engineering Thailand Co. Ltd., have entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement in Thailand to sell Omnitek’s proprietary diesel-to–natural gas engine conversion kits and new natural gas engines used to repower existing diesel trucks and buses. Omnitek (USA) reports a 15% interest in the JV. Omnitek (USA) develops and supplies new natural gas engines and a proprietary alternative fuel technology which converts diesel engines to operate on natural gas, propane or hydrogen.
Iran, Teheran
Iranian motorist could see and end to fuel rationing by March with increased use of natural gas vehicles contributing to reduced demand for gasoline. Reuters quotes Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh as saying that the government was working to increase natural gas vehicle and refuelling station numbers in response to demand from motorists. Gasoline rationing was introduced earlier this year to reduce demand from imported refined fuel and to ease the fiscal strain caused by heavy government subsidies.
Argentina, Buenos Aires
Argentinean compressor and dispenser manufacturer Aspro has had a record year, selling more than 2,800 natural gas compressors worldwide this year. The company now has equipment in more than 28 countries, with their latest installation in Bagnoli, Italy, where their local partner Samtech S.R.L. has installed the unit at an AF Petroli refueling station. The company has also released a new line of dispensers, boasting lightweight stainless steel chassis allowing for faster and easier maintenance.
India, Agra
The city of Agra, home to India’s Taj Mahal, is heaing towards cleaner air, with mandated requiring commercial vehicles to use natural gas due to come into force on January 1. IANS reports that the The Uttar Pradesh State Transport Authority has issued a directive ordering that tempos, buses, auto-rickshaws and other public transport and commercial vehicles will have to switch over to compressed natural gas (CNG) from Jan 1, 2008.
India, New Delhi
Delhi retail gas networker Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) continues to increase their compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling network, expecting to add another 25-30 stations to their network in the next 2-3 years. Om Narayan, MD, Indraprastha Gas, interviewed on CNBC-TV18 earlier this month, said the company is in the process of acquiring land to accomodate their plans. Narayan said IGL is currently spending 1.68 billion Rupees ($US 42.5 million) on expansion in the National Capital Territory and the National Capital Region.
Dates set for January meetings – stakeholders invited
NGV Global on Oct 23 published an article advising that ENGVA in early 2008 would be replaced by a new European NGV association. It is now time to provide some further news in this regard. At the ENGVA Board of Directors (BoD) meeting held on November 15 discussions were held both about the winding down in 2008 of ENGVA, and the new organisation (agenda, structure, location, manning and statutes)
At the end of NGV Global’s second full year of distribution on behalf of the IANGV the newsletter has almost 10,000 subscribers receiving weekly issues. Whenever this is pointed out to IANGV members or people in the NGV industry, praise and thanks are invariably conveyed for the quality and usefulness of the newsletter. Hence I believe that IANGV certainly made the right decision back in 2005 to commence this new initiative.
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Philippines motorists will soon benefit from natural gas powered three wheelers following the launch of a conversion project using Energtek Inc. adsorbed natural gas (ANG) technology. The project was launched in partnership with the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines and the Philippines National Oil Company Exploration Corporation.
Peru, Lima
Natural gas is continuing to prove its diversity as an alternative fuel, demonstrating that altitude and weight are no barrier to its use. Trials of rail locomotives running on natural gas in Peru appear to have been successful, with Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA), the consortium operating a railway in Peru linking the port of Callao to Huancayo and Cerro de Pasco, apparently putting a locomotive running on compressed natural gas into operation. Livinginperu.com quotes a company executive as saying that the initiative will produce carbon dioxide reductions of seven thousand tons over the use of diesel engines. The report says the company has plans to purchase 5 of the locomotives and also implies that the company will convert their entire fleet to natural gas during the course of 2008.
Mozambique, Matola
Compressed natural gas dispenser manufacturer Compac has commissioned their first CNG dispenser in Mozambique, making it the only operational CNG dispenser in the country. Compac supplied one of their 15 kg/min models to Matola Gas Company (MGC) for bus filling in the Matola-Maputo area replacing another dispenser which had been damaged by fire. Mozambique is one of several countries in Africa currently making inroads into using natural gas as an alternative fuel.
Thailand, Bangkok
US based engine and conversion system developer Omnitek Engineering, Corp. has appoint CYT Gas Tech Co. Ltd. (CGT) the exclusive Omnitek natural gas engine warranty and engine parts distribution center for Thailand, as well as a non-exclusive dealer for Omnitek’s CNG engines. Omnitek develops and supplies new natural gas engines and a proprietary technology which converts diesel engines to operate on natural gas, propane or hydrogen.
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