Monthly Archives: June 2009

Momentum Carries Clean Air Power Forward

June 30, 2009 – 6:54 pm | United Kingdom, High Wycombe
Clean Air Power's injectors installed on a Volvo e9

Clean Air Power's injectors installed on a Volvo e9

Clean Air Power Ltd (CAP) has released its 2008 Annual Report, with solid results buoyed up by the growing global  interest in alternative fuel technologies. Group Revenue increased 38% over 2007; the Gross Profit Margin was up 46%. 2009 is providing positive results to date. Chairman Rodney Westhead states, “The most important element of the Company’s activity in 2009 is likely to be the delivery of our obligations under the recently signed Letter of Intent with Volvo. Engineering activity on the development of products, in conjunction with Volvo, is already well under way.”


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World’s Largest LNG/CNG Truck Fueling Station Opens in California

June 30, 2009 – 6:45 pm | USA, Seal Beach

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.,  has opened what is reputed to be the world’s largest natural gas truck fueling station, on a 2.9-acre site adjacent to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The new public access station, configured to fuel trucks on a 24/7 basis, features two 25,000-gallon liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks, six LNG dispensers, and two compressed natural gas (CNG) dispensers. In its press release Clean Energy states the facility has been specifically designed to support the goals of the San Pedro Bay Ports’ Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) and Clean Truck programs.


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US Government Accountability Office Casts Doubt on Plug-in Hybrid EVs

June 30, 2009 – 3:27 am | USA

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has examined and reported (GAO-09-493) on the implications of implementing the government’s goal for federal agencies to use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) when available, casting doubt on their suitability for carbon emissions reduction. Two weeks after the GAO report was released, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced loans of US$8 billion in a government-industry partnership, that will be primarily invested by recipients Ford, Nissan and Tesla toward hybrid EVs and battery development. Although there may be unreported alternative fuel initiatives yet to be considered by DOE, such as for compressed natural gas and liquified natural gas, the GAO report suggests the government’s emphasis on EVs to meet the target of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2016 could leave some disappointed.


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Brazil’s Sulgás Offers Incentives to Boost Natural Gas Conversions

June 29, 2009 – 11:48 pm | Brazil, Porto Alegre

Free or discounted fuel, conversion discounts…

The Gas Company of Rio Grande do Sul (Sulgás) has commenced a new initiative to expand sales in the natural gas vehicle sector. The program — GNV: Sinal Verde para a Economia (CNG: Green Sign for the Economy) — was launched in collaboration with a network of fuelling stations, vehicle converters and distributors of natural gas vehicle equipment for commencement 1 July.


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2009 National Biomethane Summit in USA Attracts Plenty of Attention

June 29, 2009 – 6:49 pm | Source: Fleets and Fuels | USA, Sacramento

The Power and Potential of Biomethane Impresses Hundreds of Attendees at Inaugural National Biomethane Summit

The National Biomethane Summit exceeded attendance expectations in Sacramento last week with hundreds of attendees soaking up information from national and international presenters and industry stakeholders. Accolades were abundant, summed up by Fleets and Fuels’ in their event report: “a sizable role may be foreseen for biomethane, which has the lowest carbon footprint of any available alternative fuel — far better even than electricity, in the eyes of California. Such was the verdict at last week’s first-ever National Biomethane Summit in Sacramento.” Hosted by the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership (CNGVP) — an alliance of stakeholders working to increase and strengthen the deployment of low-emission natural gas vehicles — attendees learned and discussed how this ultra-low carbon vehicle fuel can achieve significant well-to-wheel reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.


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Xperion Promotes Lightweight Composite ‘X-Store’ Cylinder

June 29, 2009 – 2:14 am | Source: Fleets & Fuels | Germany, Herford
Xperion's X-Store type IV cng cylinder

Xperion's X-Store type IV cng cylinder

Xperion GMBH of Germany is establishing a global network to promote a new line of robust lightweight compressed natural gas fuel cylinders, according to a Fleets & Fuels report. Xperion’s patented hybrid composite (X-Store brand) cylinders weigh from 0.25 to 0.45 kilograms per liter. Executive VP Dietmar Müller said in a statement to F&F, “Traditionally, Type III and Type IV cylinders can cost two to three times the price of Type I steel cylinders. With our hybrid design using a weight/cost optimized ratio of high strength reinforcements, we are able to significantly reduce the extra cost associated with composite tanks.”


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USA’s Estimate of Domestic Natural Gas Reserves Grows 35%

June 28, 2009 – 11:52 pm | USA

The Colorado-based Potential Gas Committee (PGC) has released its biennial report, analyzing potential resources for domestic natural gas in the US. According to the committee’s assessment, the U.S. currently has a total potential gas supply of 2,074 trillion cubic feet, up 35 percent from the last estimated released in 2007. The U.S. currently uses about 23 TCF of natural gas per year. The new resource base figure represents the highest estimate of natural gas supply ever reported since the Committee began reporting 44 years ago. The report follows several other major reports concerning increased natural gas supplies.
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Biomethane for Fuel Boosted by Legislation in Germany

June 28, 2009 – 6:47 pm | Source: Biogasmax | Germany

Following a new legal framework adopted beginning of 2009, presented to Biogasmax by the European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER), biomethane production plants should continue to increase in the next few years. The legislation is expected to give a strong impetus to biomethane as a vehicle fuel. The new national energy policy has set up ambitious goals towards biomethane development: 6 billion m3 of biométhane in 2020 (6% of the national needs of gas), 10 billion m3 in 2030 (10% of the national needs of gas).  Amongst the 4000 biogas plants running today in Germany, 20 plants currently inject biomethane into the natural gas grid, with 20 others preparing to follow suit.

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European Commission Approves State Aid for French and Czech Transport Sectors

June 28, 2009 – 6:43 pm | Source: NGVA Europe | Belgium, Brussels

In a move that will strengthen natural gas vehicle presence in Europe, the European Commission has confirmed its determination not to raise any objections under the EC Treaty state aid rules to France providing financial support for its transport sector. Initially approved December 2008, the EC published its decision in May 2009, enabling the French government to grant subventions for the acquisition of urban natural gas and biomethane powered vehicles, such as buses and garbage trucks, through to end December 2014. The Commission has also authorized Czech state financing, from 2009 to 2014, of infrastructure to develop clean transport, in particular the provision of alternative refuelling stations in order to improve the ecological public transport infrastructure in the northeast region of Severovýchod.

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Bulgaria’s Natural Gas Vehicles Increase 33% in One Year

June 28, 2009 – 6:41 pm | Source: Overgas | Bulgaria, Sofia
Bulgaria NGV Association tool for locating in-country refuelling stations

Bulgaria NGV Association tool for locating in-country refuelling stations

Bulgaria has increased the number of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the country by 33% in one year, according to a report released by Overgas Inc. AD, a domestic natural gas infrastructure provider. The count for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) now stands at 60,000. CNG refuelling facilities have also expanded, now numbering 77. A negotiated gas price reduction from 1st July, making it the best value as well as the most environmentally friendly of locally provided fuels, should help to further stimulate growth.


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US House Science Committee Passes NGV Bill for Research and Certification

June 28, 2009 – 6:34 pm | USA

A bill introduced in March this year, has been approved by the US Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. As introduced, the bill (H.R. 1622) directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a five-year program of natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration; and (2) coordinate with the natural gas vehicle industry and with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding streamlined certification of natural gas conversion systems to federal certification requirements and in-use emission standards.


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Ford Moves European Ford Focus CNG Production to Saarlouis

June 25, 2009 – 11:51 pm
Ford Focus - European CNG production now at Saarlouis, Germany

Germany

Ford has designated its production plant in Saarlouis, in the West of Germany, as the company’s compressed natural gas (CNG) technology manufacturer of the Ford Focus. Production was conducted via conversions previously in Mainz. According to a report carried by Gibgas, in-house production at Saarlouis will increase annual capacity of Ford Focus CNG models to 1,000 vehicles per year.

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Natural Gas Fueling Facility Expands in Spain

June 25, 2009 – 11:50 pm

Spain, Madrid

Gas Natural has closed an agreement with Cespa to expand the company’s natural gas supply station in Madrid and extend the use of this fuel to taxi and commercial vehicle fleets. The news was announced at a press release during the recent GNV Conference in Spain (Madrid), where about 2,000 natural gas vehicles (NGVs), mainly buses and trucks of municipal waste collection, currently operate. At the beginning of June, Gas Natural disclosed that Barcelona had decided to fuel its entire waste collection fleet using natural gas. Cespa deals in the provision of environmental services and waste treatment and management in Spain and Portugal.

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Texas Clean Fleet Program Legislation (SB 1759) Approved

June 25, 2009 – 11:49 pm

USA, Texas

The US State of Texas has approved legislation targeted to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas-fueled vehicles, in both state agency and private vehicle fleets, according to a press release from Clean Energy. Providing financial incentives in the form of grant funding, the state’s new Clean Fleet Program -SB1759 – encourages private fleet owners to replace their medium-to-heavy-duty diesel vehicles with alternative fueled-models, including those powered by natural gas.
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GNV Madrid Marks Milestone for NGVA Europe

June 25, 2009 – 11:45 pm
GNV2009 Madrid conference included 42 exhibitor booths

Spain, Madrid

Board Changes
Refuelling Developments in Madrid
Possible Increase in OEM Activity

NGVA Europe has concluded their first conference and exhibition, GNV Madrid 2009, with a low key but productive week of proceedings. Members gathered early in the week for their General Meeting, appointing a new Chairman, Trevor Fletcher (Hardstaff Group) and Vice-Chairman, Dr. Gerhard Holtmeier (erdgas mobil). Trevor Fletcher replaces outgoing Chairman, Peter Boisen, while Dr Holtmeier joins the Board after erdgas Mobil recently joined the NGVA Europe membership ranks.

Local utility Gas Natural also used the event to announce an agreement with waste management company, Cespa to expand the company’s natural gas supply station in Madrid and extend availability to taxi and commercial vehicle fleets. At the end of May, Gas Natural also announced supply agreements for waste management fleets in Barcelona.

OEMs making presentations for the week in Madrid included Iveco, DaimlerChrysler, VW and Fiat. Though none took the opportunity to launch new product, indications from VW suggest a possible CNG Skoda Octavia for the taxi market in Madrid later this year. Strong interest shown by Toyota Europe at the event also gave a hint of possible activity from Toyota in the CNG market in Europe in the coming months or years.

Image courtesy of NGV Communications Group

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