Spain, Madrid
Municipal vehicles switch to CNG
Spanish gas company Gas Natural will promote and develop the use of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicle in Pozuelo de Alarcon (Madrid), under an agreement signed with the municipality. The council of Pozuelo will carry out a progressive changeover from diesel to natural gas for municipal services fleet vehicles. Vehicles will initially fill up at the existing facility currently used by municipal garbage collection vehicles.
USA, California
To help improve regional air quality, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has entered a collaborative demonstration effort with California Cartage Co. (Cal Cartage) and Autocar to develop and put into service the nation’s first CNG trucks used to transport containers off-loaded from ships. Five trucks will be delivered in June 2008 and used to move containers between the San Pedro Bay ports, which include the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, to nearby freight-consolidation yards.
Spain, Valencia
Spain’s first public compressed natural gas (CNG) station has opened in Valencia. The launch follows an agreement reached in June 2007 between Gas Natural (Spains major natural gas supplier) and Valencia’s taxi cooperative (TAXCO). Gas Natural has invested 600,000 Euros in the facility for which compression equipment was supplied by Aspro GNC (Argentina).
Australia, Perth
Australian based parent of the Hythane company, Eden Energy has issued notices announcing the spinoff of ‘non-hydrogen’ assets in geothermal energy and upstream natural gas supply. Separate IPO and joint-venture arrangements are being set up to give Eden the ability to focus 100% of its energy and resources to fully developing its hydrogen technologies. Eden is putting considerable focus emerging Indian clean fuel market where the Company has already secured strategic alliances and development agreements with several Indian partners, including projects utilizing Hythane, their proprietary blend of hydrogen and methane.
EU research ministers have approved a regulation setting up a long-term public-private research partnership on hydrogen and fuel cells, with the aim of reducing the time to market for these technologies by 2-5 years and thus cutting CO2 emissions. EurActive reports that a Competitiveness Council on 25 February 2008 reached an agreement on the essential elements for the launch of the EU ‘Fuel Cells and Hydrogen’ joint technology initiative (JTI). The aim of the joint public-private research undertaking, agreed by the Council, is to speed up the development of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in Europe to enable their commercialisation between 2010 and 2020. The EU is set to contribute some €470 million to this research programme over the next six years and the private sector is expected to gather the same amount.
In order to give IANGV a higher profile in Europe and to facilitate representation with international organizations that have headquarters in Europe, IANGV has opened a branch office in Brussels. For many years, IANGV, with the support of ENGVA has attended a variety of meetings or has made representations to international organizations including: – International Gas Union (IGU now in Norway); UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE, Geneva); International Standardisation Organisation (ISO, Geneva);Committee of European Normalization (CEN, Brussels); Organisation Internationale Metrologie Legale (OIML, Paris); amd the International Energy Agency (IEA, Paris), European Union (EU, Brussels).
USA, California
Officials and local transportation agencies gathered to celebrate the grand opening of a new natural gas vehicle (NGV) in San Bernardino, California. The station, which is designed to dispense LNG and CNG, is part of the Interstate Clean Transportation Corridor (ICTC)– a planned network of alternative fuel stations along key roadways that service alternative fuel vehicle fleets that move freight in the western United States. Initially, the station will fuel 20 LNG city trash trucks, but the station will also be available to other public agencies and members of the public.
May 11-14, 2008
Rio All-Suite Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
The US Alternative Fuels Vehicle Institute reminds us that the early bird deadline for their 2008 conference and expo is coming up on 29 February. With a growing natural gas vehicle presence each year, the AF&V show continues to be an important event for the industry and alternative fuels in general. Visit the AF&V Conference and Expo website for more details.
August 21-23, 2008 in Lima, Peru
As at January 2008 there were 23 fuelling stations supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) to 24,000 vehicles in Peru. Growth is predicted to reach 60 CNG stations and 60,000 CNG vehicles by the end of 2008. "FIGAS" International Fair in Peru is organized every two years since 2004 and specializes in the promotion of natural gas, CNG and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The three-day exhibition will feature equipment and supplies for the industrial, vehicular and residential sectors. More information www.thaiscorp.com.
Czech Republic, Prague
By 2014, thousands of Czech state and municipal vehicles will be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) in line with an agreement signed by the government two years ago (see earlier NGV Global report ) with gas companies as part of the country’s plan to reduce carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, according to Czech daily Hospodarske noviny (HN).
USA, Washington DC.
New Website – What Do You Know About Hydrogen? H2 and You
Hydrogen Conference – 30 March April 3
The US National Hydrogen Association’s Hydrogen Education Foundation has launched a nationwide educational campaign to increase understanding about hydrogen. The initiative includes targeted public relations and the new, informative website: www.H2andYou.org . The website has been designed to act as a destination for those wanting to learn more about hydrogen while highlighting, in laymen’s terms, new ways hydrogen is being used today and how these uses relate to things people really care about. The site will answer common questions; present examples of market-ready hydrogen products that provide real energy solutions today; and offer video, podcasts and links to hydrogen news stories.
USA, California
Port truck emissions to be slashed by 80% in next 4 years
The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has passed a major initiative aimed at cleaning up emissions from trucks serving the port facility. The groundbreaking initiative includes finalizing previous plans to phase-in lower-polluting trucks, assessment of new container fees, and financing incentives for truck operators. Under the plan, the port expects to raise more than $2 billion in new funds to help defray the cost of assisting truck operators with the purchase of new trucks. Beginning October 1, 2008, pre-1989 trucks will no longer be permitted to provide service at the port. By 2012, all trucks serving the port will have to meet 2007 federal emission standards. That means trucks will have to either be post-2006 trucks or be retrofitted to meet the new emission limits. The port initiative includes a goal of ensuring that at least 50 percent of the trucks serving the port are cleaner, alternatively fueled vehicles, such as LNG trucks.
USA, California
Recognizing Honda’s application of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies, four Honda vehicles earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the "greenest vehicles of 2008" with the Civic GX natural gas car taking the title of the greenest vehicle for the fifth consecutive year. In the 11th annual ACEEE’s "Green Book® Online" ranking of environmentally responsible vehicles (available at www.greenercars.org ), the natural gas-powered Civic GX ranked first in the list of the 12 most environmentally-conscious vehicles available to the public.
Singapore
Taxi fleet operator expands into CNG refuelling
Local company Smart Energy has opened Mandai Station, Singapore’s largest compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling station today. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is pumped directly from Jurong Island to Smart’s 5,700 square metre mother station. The CNG station is the first on Singapore’s mainland and was followed a week later by another CNG station opened at Jalan Buroh by Sembcorp Gas. Sembcorp Gas also operates the CNG station on Jurong Island.
Japan
Honda Motor confirmed the introduction in the market of a sport automobile equipped with a hybrid original motor driven by natural gas and electricity. The vehicle prototype of the new generation, identified like the Compact Renaissance Zero (CR-Z) model which was exhibited in 40th Tokyo Motor Show in November 2007, will be produced and commercialized in 2009, with projected sales of 250 units in the first year. With the CR-Z Concept Honda explores the potential of a compact, lightweight sportscar that’s exciting to drive, but has minimal impact on the environment. The Honda CR-Z features the latest Honda hybrid IMA powertrain to deliver low emissions and impressive economy.
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