2008 January | NGV Global

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Monthly Archives: January 2008

Freightliner USA Announces Availability of CNG Step Van Chassis

January 31, 2008 – 8:14 am

USA

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) is increasing their alternative fuel offering, releasing a CNG-powered chassis for the walk-in van market featuring Cummins Westport’s 5.9L B-Gas-Plus engine and Dynetek fuel cylinders. FCCC’s MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered chasses will carry the same payload as their diesel-powered versions — 10,000 to 19,000 lbs. — with the same GVWR range of 14,140 to 30,000 lbs. FCCC already offers the MB-55 CNG-powered chassis for bus and shuttle applications. In early 2008, long term alternative fuel user, UPS will deploy 167 new FCCC CNG-powered walk-in vans in California, Texas, and Georgia.

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Technical Tour and TetraFuel Test Drive Highlights of NGV2008

January 31, 2008 – 7:54 am

Abstracts are currently being processed and specific program details are yet to be announced for NGV2008, June 3-5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but organizers have already released details of supplemental programs that will make the trip worthwhile. A technical tour will be available for delegates who wish to visit the laboratories of CENPES – Petrobras Research and Development Center- located in the University City, next to Galeão Airport and to UFRJ –Rio de Janeiro Federal University-, specially focused on laboratories for fuel control and vehicle testing, including gas emissions. In addition, there will be an optional test-drive of a tetra-fuel unit, capable of running on 100% natural gas, on a gasoline-25% alcohol mixture, on 100% alcohol, and on 100% gasoline. Brazil is at the forefront of this technology and is already demonstrating its viability in the commercial marketplace. Conference details at www.ibp.org.br/ngv2008 , Exhibition information at www.ngvgroup.com/ngv2008/en.php

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Where is Biomethane?

January 31, 2008 – 7:49 am

An article about biofuels by the Science Editor of the UK paper the Independent (16 Jan) was reprinted recently in the New Zealand Herald. The article deals with such issues as:
“Will biofuel help to prevent global warming, or will it make things worse?”
“What are biofuels and how they meant to help fight global warming?”
“What has gone wrong with the biofuel dream?”

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Leno Features NGVs on Website

January 31, 2008 – 7:29 am

Motoring enthusiast and host of the US NBC’s Tonight Show, Jay Leno has given natural gas vehicles the green light, featuring them in the alternative fuel section of his website, www.jaylenosgarage.com . One segment features an in-depth look at the Honda Civic GX and FuelMaker’s Phill home refueling appliance and includes a lively comments section with contributions from many happy natural gas vehicle users in the US. It’s only 6 and half minutes long so it’s ideal viewing for your coffee break. (see also the interview with alternative fuel guru, Ron Cogan from the Green Car Journal.)

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ENGO Report Includes OEM Natural Gas Vehicles Among Global Greenest

January 31, 2008 – 7:21 am

Canada

Canadian ENGO Pollution Probe has included OEM natural gas vehicles in its December 2007 study entitled, A Global Survey of Highly Fuel Efficient, Low Greenhouse Gas Emitting Vehicles. Of the estimated 250 vehicles identified with maximum fuel consumption ratings of 5.9 litres/100 km (40 miles per US gallon) or greenhouse gas emissions of 142 g CO2/km or less, 14 vehiclioes were OEM natural gas vehicles. Noteworthy as well was a reference to the potential for biomethane to further reduce CO2 emissions from natural gas vehicles. The report can be downloaded from: http://www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Air.htm.

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PG&E Wants Biomethane Help

January 31, 2008 – 7:18 am

USA, California

Californian utility Pacific Gas & Electric is looking for help with biomethane technology, specifically processes that can reliably and economically convert biomass material first into biogas and then into pipeline- and vehicle-quality biomethane. The utility is looking for responses to a request for information by February 20, and asks interested parties to register by February 22 for a biomethane workshop to be held in San Francisco on March 5. A Phase II RFI is to be issued March 21 with projected response deadline of May 2. Please contact Marc Kolb at PG&E, biomethane@pge.com.

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German Motorists Saving on Natural Gas Vehicles

January 31, 2008 – 7:16 am

Germany

Leading German motoring body ADAC has conducted a comprehensive study of natural gas vehicle use, concluding that motorists keen on alternative fuels in Germany can save an average of 3 cents per kilometer or 450 Euros per year compared with gasoline models. The study compared 16 compressed natural gas (CNG) models with their gasoline equivalent over an estimated 15,000 kms per year for four years. Comparisons with diesel equivalent vehicles showed savings of 300 Euros per year.

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Delhi to Enforce CNG Requirement for Out of Town Vehicles

January 31, 2008 – 7:12 am

India, Delhi

Commercial and public transport vehicles entering Delhi will soon have to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or face bans on travelling in the city. The Cutting Edge News reports that while the rules are apparently already in force, they have not been applied to date, but that situation is now to change. The report quotes Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as saying, “While CNG has benefited Delhi immensely, the effect of CNG gets mitigated when vehicles from other states not using CNG enter the city.”

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Biomass Upgrading to Biomethane

January 31, 2008 – 7:06 am

February 21 2008, Biogas Upgrading to Biomethane (6th Hanau Dialogue) conference hosted by the Institut für Solare Energieversorgungs Technik in Kassel, Germany. More information.

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China Natural Gas Acquires Two New CNG Filling Stations and One Compressor Station

January 31, 2008 – 7:00 am

USA & China

China Natural Gas, Inc. a provider of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicular fuel in Xi’an, China, has acquired two new CNG filling stations in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province and one compressor station in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, which has the daily processing capacity of 100,000 to 150,000 cubic meters of CNG. The acquisitions will bring the number of the company’s total CNG filling stations to 26 and the number of its compressor stations to two.

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Delhi Transport Corporation Issues Tenders For 3,500 CNG Buses

January 30, 2008 – 7:00 pm

India, Delhi

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) continues the modernization of their bus fleet, calling for tenders for the supply of a total of 3,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as the city prepares for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The fleet operator has issued two separate tenders during January for a total of 2,500 non air conditioned low floor CNG buses and 1,000 air conditioned low floor CNG buses. Delivery dates range from between 6 and 18 months from the issuance of a letter of acceptance. Closing dates for lodging of tenders are the 5th of March (1,000 non AC CNG buses) and 25th March (1,500 non AC CNG buses and 1,000 AC CNG buses). More information on the Delhi Transport Corporation website.

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AFS Scores Additional Compressed Natural Gas Projects for TATA Motors in India

January 29, 2008 – 7:00 pm

Canada & India

Alternative Fuel Systems (2004) Inc. (AFS) has been selected to develop and supply compressed natural gas (CNG) engine control systems for two additional vehicle models being launched by TATA Motors, India’s largest manufacturer of motor vehicles. These two projects are in addition to the TATA CNG ACE project announced late in 2007.

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China Natural Gas Secures $US40 Million Financing for LNG and CNG Expansion

January 29, 2008 – 7:00 pm

China & USA

China Natural Gas, Inc. a provider of pipeline natural gas for industrial, commercial and residential use and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicular fuel in Xi’an, China, has closed the first round of a $40 million debt financing with Abax Lotus, an affiliated entity of Abax Global Capital ("AGC).

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United Nations – New Informal Group to Handle Gaseous Fuels

January 28, 2008 – 7:00 pm

Dr Jeffrey Seisler is the CEO of Clean Fuels Consulting and is also Vice President Government Relations for IANGV.

Two new developments within the structure of the United Nations Working Party 29 on World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations will change the way natural gas vehicles and other alternative fuels are handled within the worldwide regulatory body. Up until 2008 the gaseous emissions-and-safety-based regulations (for NGVs and liquefied petroleum gas – LPG) have been handled within the Group of Experts on Pollution and Energy (GRPE), one of the groups within the WP29. As of June 2007 the activities outside of fuel and emissions, such as the all-important safety provisions associated with Regulations 110 and 115 will be handled by the Group of Experts on General Safety (GRSG). Additionally, a new Informal Group on Gaseous Fuelled Vehicles (GFV) was created within GRPE as a ‘fast-track’ measure for all the emissions-based regulations. These two new developments overall are positive, however, not without some new challenges.

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Sinoenergy Acquires Stake in CNG Wholesale Processing Plants, and Purchases New Manufacturing Site

January 27, 2008 – 7:00 pm

China, Beijing

Sinoenergy Corporation (Sinoenergy), a manufacturer of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle and gas station equipment and a designer, developer and operator of CNG filling stations in the People’s Republic of China, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Giant Power International Limited (GPI) for $US8.75 million. The Company signed a separate purchase agreement to acquire Qingdao Shan Yang Tai Chemistry Resources Development Co., Ltd. (QSYT) for $US5.33 million.

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