The Biofuel Cities Guide to Sustainable Biofuels Procurement for Transport, is now available online. The guide aims to provide guidance for public authorities and other actors intending to purchase and use sustainable biofuels for transport. It highlights the current discussion on sustainable biofuels and provides advice for other challenges related to implementing biofuelled transport. The guide’s recommendations for sustainable procurement have been inspired by the experiences of pioneer cities, including biomethane champions Stockholm (Sweden) and Lille (France). For further information and access to the guide, click here.
Monthly Archives: July 2009
Biofuel Cities Guide to Sustainable Biofuels Procurement for Transport Available Online
July 31, 2009 – 1:28 pm
Germany, Freiburg
PDF 
Asthma Foundation and LNG Fuel Supplier – An Air Quality Partnership
July 31, 2009 – 12:25 pm
Australia, Perth
Western Australia’s Asthma Foundation has joined forces with EVOL LNG — a partnership with a shared goal of striving for improved air quality — good news in a country that has one of the highest incidences of asthma in the world. EVOL LNG (part of Kleenheat Gas and Wesfarmers Energy) has researched liquefied natural gas (LNG) for over a decade and last year Wesfarmers Energy commissioned its LNG processing facility to produce LNG as a diesel fuel alternative for heavy vehicles and remote power generation.
IGL Reports 43% Increase of Private NGVs in Delhi
July 29, 2009 – 3:57 pm
Source: The Times of India India, New Delhi
CNG established as a people’s fuel
India’s Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) has reported on the results of a survey it commissioned to measure growth in natural gas vehicles in Delhi. Reported by The Times of India, the number of private cars running on CNG has risen 43% year-on-year. IGL, the city’s only CNG supplier, states there are now 175,313 private CNG cars, a major step up from 122,485 twelve months ago. Growth is predicted to exceed 250,000 by the time the city hosts the 2010 Commonwealth Games in October 2010. Including commericial and bus fleets the 297,154 vehicles of all categories reportedly operate on CNG.
Thai Development Bank (SME) Encourages NGV Purchases
July 29, 2009 – 3:53 pm
Source: The Nation Thailand, Bangkok
The Thailand government’s ‘Strong Thailand’ strategy, aimed at increasing public transportation and jobs while saving energy, will benefit the local natural gas vehicle industry with a new measure announced by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank). According to a report by The Nation, the bank will provide special loans worth Bt1 billion (USD 29.4 million) for the purchase of NGVs. The announcement is expected to encourage 6,000 public vans operated under Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) concessions to convert from diesel to natural gas. The loan terms include a 5-per-cent down payment, eight years of instalments and no project-assessment surcharge, with conditions standing until year-end.
Opel’s Astra Undergoes Holistic Hybridization – Achieves 90 g/km CO2
July 29, 2009 – 3:35 pm
Germany, Rüsselsheim / Stuttgart
Opel's Astra Caravan
Natural Gas Engine and Electric Drive Combination
Adam Opel GmbH (Opel), in a collaborative project sponsored by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, has developed an innovative gas hybrid prototype that emits only 90 g/km CO2 from a start-stop system, recovery of braking energy and a ‘proactive hybrid coordinator’ developed by the Institute for Combustion Engines and Motor Vehicles (IVK) of the University of Stuttgart.
Singapore Public Transport Operator Receives Environmental Award – CNG Fleet Contributor
July 28, 2009 – 11:45 am
Source: The Straits Times Singapore
SMRT's CNG-powered Hyundai Azera Taxi
SMRT Corporation Ltd of Singapore, public transport operator, is the recipient of the top prize at the Singapore Green Summit awards, in recognition of its environmental impact reduction program called ‘Go Green with SMRT’. The Straits Times reports that SMRT was recognised in part for operating 200 compressed natural gas powered Hyundai Azera taxis in their fleet. SMRT won the Singapore Environmental Achievement Award, recognising management commitment in tackling environmental issues such as waste minimisation and pollution.
Brazil’s NGVs Grow – HD Uptake to be Stimulated
July 28, 2009 – 3:01 am
Source: IBP Brazil
Brazil’s natural gas vehicles now total 1.604 million as at 30th June, with gas refueling stations numbering 1,686. However, the take-up by heavy transport is disappointing, according to the latest newsletter from IBP (Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute). R. Fernandes, coordinator of the CNG Committee of IBP, is arguing for a shift in investment to promote the use of natural gas as a cleaner, economical fuel for heavy duty vehicles. To that end a workshop has been mooted for November in Rio de Janiero, with the prospect of cleaner air providing leverage for the city as the venue for some soccer games for the 2014 World Cup and a prospect for the 2016 Olympic Games.
BAF Technologies Joins With Hardstaff on Dual-Fuel
July 28, 2009 – 12:33 am
USA, Dallas TX
Exclusive distributorship to convert heavy-duty vehicles to dual-fuel
BAF Technologies, a US based provider of natural gas vehicle upfits, has entered into an exclusive distributorship agreement with T. Baden Hardstaff to retrofit existing heavy-duty on-road vehicles to dual-fuel operation. The agreement will provide BAF with exclusive territory rights for the United States. T. Baden Hardstaff is a service and technology provider for the road transport industry specializing in the development of low carbon vehicle technologies.
Hino and Daewoo Share CNG Bus Order for Karachi
July 27, 2009 – 5:27 pm
Source: The News Pakistan, Karachi
A Hino CNG Bus, Model AK1J-RKB
Karachi’s first dedicated CNG buses
City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has launched 50 environment-friendly CNG buses, 25 supplied by Hino and 25 by Daewoo, at a ceremony presided over by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan, according to a The News report. Financed by the city’s government at a cost of Rs218 million (USD 2.64 million), the buses each have a capacity for 80 passengers, 44 seated and the remaining standing.
Read More
EnCana Oil and Gas to Fuel 10% of Fleet with Natural Gas
July 25, 2009 – 12:22 pm
Source: NGVAmerica USA and Canada
Colorado Producers Turning to NGVs
52 pickup conversions first step
10% of fleet targeted
Big oil and gas companies in the US are increasingly burning natural gas in some of their fleet cars and pickups to demonstrate its effectiveness as an alternative motor fuel, in particular Denver’s EnCana Oil and Gas and Texan company Pioneer Natural Resources.
UK Logistics Provider Tenens Introduces Dual-Fuel Technology for Fleet
July 25, 2009 – 12:51 am
Source: Logistics Manager United Kingdom, Stroud
UK-based logistics provider Howard Tenens Services Ltd is introducing dual-fuel technology to its 200-strong fleet in a move to cut carbon emissions beyond the Euro V standard. Developed by the Hardstaff Group, the fleet will use an oil ignition gas injection (OIGI) dual-fuel system, designed to substitute natural gas for diesel in light or heavy duty engines.
Athens to Deploy MB Econic NGT’s for Urban Waste Disposal
July 24, 2009 – 1:12 am
Germany (Stuttgart) and Greece (Athens)
Mercedes Benz Econic NGT - natural gas powered urban waste disposal
The city of Athens has elected to deploy 108 Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT urban waste disposal vehicles. The Econic NGT fulfils the EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle) emission standard, which is much stricter than the current Euro 5 emission standard. Designed for specific applications such as municipal services, collection and distribution, Daimler claims the Mercedes-Benz Econic scores highly on its carbon footprint, delivering a 25 percent reduction when run on fossil natural gas and a 100 percent saving with regenerative biogas. (Press Release)
Sprinter NGT Becomes Sweden’s First Eco-Ambulance
July 22, 2009 – 8:31 pm
Sweden, Stockholm
Sweden's first eco-ambulance (photo by David Lever, Nyhetsverket.se)
Ambulanssjukvården i Storstockholm AB (AISAB), which contracts ambulance services to Stockholm County Council, has purchased what they claim to be the first natural gas powered ambulance in Sweden. The vehicle, a low-emission Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, 316 NGT, has fuel tanks for biomethane and petrol — 30-40 mile range for gas and 80-90 mile for petrol. The estimated annual cost savings for biogas operation is about USD 2,850. Construction of a second eco-ambulance is underway.
Dominican Republic Celebrates Opening of Natural Gas Plant
July 21, 2009 – 11:08 am
Source: DiarioLibre Dominican Republic, Boca Chica
Earlier this month, the Dominican Republic’s President Leonel Fernandez inaugurated a natural gas plant, for gas compression and distribution, located at the Caucedo energy park. The almost USD 14 million venture was developed by Soluciones en Gas Natural S.A. (SGN), a part of the Lama Business Group, according to a DiarioLibre report. Amongst the first uses of the gas will be measures to benefit the natural gas vehicle industry.
Fuel Systems Solutions Acquires Alternative Fuel Component Supplier Teleflex
July 21, 2009 – 10:18 am
USA, Santa Ana, CA
Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. has agreed to purchase Teleflex Incorporated’s Power Systems business, which includes industrial and transportation alternative fuel components and systems and auxiliary power systems, for $14.5 million in an all-cash transaction. The addition of complementary technology, according to Fuel Systems President, Matthew Beale, will enable platform leverage central to their growth strategy. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009 and is subject to customary closing conditions.
