Canada, Vancouver
A study by California-based TIAX LLC has confirmed a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in LNG trucks featuring a Westport ISX G engine and LNG fuel system based on a 10 year, 400,000 mile scenario. Under this scenario, a typical Westport LNG-equipped natural gas truck operating at the San Pedro Bay ports in California will realize reductions of 21 tonnes of GHG emissions per year compared to an equivalent diesel truck.
Yet another piece in the jigsaw of NGV standards had just been published. “Compressed gaseous fuel measuring systems for vehicles” OIML R 139 has been published by the International Organization for Legal Metrology. This standard can be downloaded at no cost from www.oiml.org/publications/ document 139-e. The history of this standard starts in 1999 with the first committee draft of the standard being completed in 2000.
USA, California
Following is an edited version of a report filed by IANGV Technical Committee Chair, Alex Lawson, on the US Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum recently re-established after a hiatus of several years.Â
Background
This Forum grew from its precursor, the Next Generation NGV program (NGNGV) held prior to 2002. One goal of the activity was to develop advanced, commercially viable, medium- and heavy duty natural gas engines and vehicles that would meet EPA 2007/2010 heavy-duty emission levels. Another goal was to develop production-intent natural gas engines that meet current emission levels and can be deployed commercially in the near term to gain immediate petroleum displacement and emission reduction benefits.
Australia, Melbourne
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is being considered by GM’s Australian arm, GM Holden as part of an all-new small car in Australia alongside the country’s best-selling Holden Commodore range. The second carline will start in the third quarter of 2010 with support from the Federal and South Australian Governments. The Federal Government funding is provided under the Green Car Innovation Fund announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The vehicle will be based on General Motors’ global Delta small car platform and feature new technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse emissions. Start-stop hybrid technology and capacity to run on alternative fuels such as CNG, E85, diesel, and LPG are all being considered for the vehicle’s development. The new front-wheel-drive vehicle will be built as a sedan and hatch at GM Holden’s Elizabeth manufacturing facility in South Australia. Design and engineering work will take place at the company’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, Victoria. See Holden’s press release for more details.
USA, Seal Beach, CA
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has been awarded an 18-month contract extension to continue supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel to Sun Metro, the public transit bus agency serving the City of El Paso, Texas and neighboring New Mexico communities. Clean Energy has been under contract to Sun Metro since December 2003, with fleet fuel consumption now topping 4.6 million LNG gallons annually.
USA, Santa Ana
Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. Italian operating subsidiary, MTM S.r.L., has signed an agreement to acquire Argentine based parent company of the Tomasetto Achille brand, Distribuidora Shopping S.A. (DS), a privately held manufacturer of components and systems for the compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle market. The transaction, which is expected to close in January 2009, is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction value of $22 million is subject to adjustment for any closing indebtedness and the selling shareholders will receive $10.0 million of Fuel Systems common stock as part of the purchase consideration.
Russia, Moscow
On November 17, 2008 the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed two Directives which will help to expand the national natural gas vehicle (NGV) market. Directive # 1662-R approved the Concept of the long term socio-economic development of the Russian Federation till 2020. Chapter 6 of the Concept “Development of the energy infrastructure and building up of energy efficiency of the economy” provides that “stimulation of the use of natural gas as a motor fuel” shall be one of the priorities. Another Directive signed a few moments after the socio-economic Concept determined priorities for the Russian government till 2012.
Among other tasks Directive # 1663-R instructs the Government to prepare a Federal energy saving program, introduce innovative energy efficient technologies and develop NGV-related incentives.
Australia, Perth
Advanced Engine Components Limited (AEC) has entered a formal ten year Purchase Agreement with Tata Motors Limited (TML) of India. The terms of the Agreement are consistent with a Letter of Intent (LOI) announced on 31 October 2008. Pursuant to the LOI, AEC will design, develop, test and certify compressed natural gas (CNG) kits as part of the natural gas vehicle system (NGVS). The NGVS is for naturally aspirated and turbo charged CNG versions of TML’s four and six cylinder engines for commercial vehicle application. Quantities and pricing were set in the LOI.
Chile and Venezuela now represented
The Executive Council of the Latin American NGV Association has expanded to include representatives from Chile and Venezuala, joining current representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Colombia. Gerardo Muñoz, Metrogas (Chile) Deputy Manager of NGVs, and Pedro Mellado, General Director of GASMOVIL91 and President of the Venezuelan NGV Association, have both joined the Executive, which now has representation from all active South American NGV markets. The new representatives have extensive experience and knowledge of the NGV industry, with strong participation in all aspects of their development and progress since programs commenced in the region. Both Chile and Venezuala had strong NGV programs in the past which halted or declined as a result of natural gas supply interruptions and policy changes respectively. 2009 will see programs reinvigorated in both countries.
This month marks the end of an era for the IANGV with the retirement of Dr. Garth Harris, the inaugural Secretary-General of the Association. Garth has been with the IANGV since even before it was formed, having played a key role in the formation of the Association and bringing about some funding arrangements from the New Zealand government that allowed the organisation to be formed in New Zealand in 1986. Since that time Garth has held the position of Secretary-General, and it would be fair to say he had seen the industry goes through several evolutionary stages, reaching the point where we now have more than 9 million natural gas vehicles operating around the world.
United Arab Emirates
At least 16 more CNG fueling stations are planned for the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, and two other UAE cities. 9 of the 16 will house compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion and installation workshops. More stations are being mooted in a national drive to reduce air pollution. The Technical Committee responsible for implementing CNG as a cleaner alternative says significant progress has been made regarding the implementation of CNG as an alternative fuel in cars in the UAE.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor plans to launch a compressed natural gas (CNG)-based variant of its multi-utility vehicle, Innova, by end of January 2009. As reported on www.sify.com the company will tie up with Minda Industries to provide CNG kits for its model. “The CNG Innova should be launched commercially some time in January end. At present, we are conducting test trials of the model,” said Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director (Marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd.
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USA, Seal Beach CA
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has been awarded a five-year contract with a five-year option for compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling services by Central Jersey Waste & Recycling Inc. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, the firm provides waste hauling and recycling services for central New Jersey, including the town of Hamilton, which has mandated alternative fuel use. According to Michael Fiumefreddo, Central Jersey Waste Vice President, the firm considers this new venture “an environmental alternative that will reshape the waste and recycling industry in New Jersey and force our competitors to step up and act more responsibly.”
USA, Iowa City
The US National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has announced two new additions to the Transit Bus Certification Test Series: Compressed Natural Gas Engines (H1) and Preventive Maintenance and Inspection (H8). “These new additions to our Transit Bus Series complete the requirements for a Master Technician Status,†says Tim Zilke, ASE president & CEO.
The Compressed Natural Gas Engines (H1) test content will cover the following areas:
India, New Delhi
A Reciprocal Common Transport Agreement between Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which makes provision for plying of auto rickshaws, taxis and buses between these states without any payment of additional permit fees, has been enacted. The agreement only applies to vehicles that are CNG-powered and compliant with the prevailing Euro norms. According to a report from Times of India, auto-rickshaw license numbers are capped: between Delhi-Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-Haryana 4,000 autos from either state are allowed, 1,000 autos between Uttar Pradesh and Haryana while between Rajasthan and Haryana 500 autos from either state are allowed. Buses will need to pay taxes at uniform rates but until that rate has been finalized, the existing rates will continue.
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