California-based TruStar Energy, a compressed natural gas (CNG) solutions provider, has been contracted to deliver CNG to Argos USA, one of the largest cement and concrete manufacturer and supplier in the United States, for fueling stations in two concrete plant locations in Houston and Dallas, Texas. Argos USA is part of Cementos Argos S.A., a multinational corporation based in Colombia.
“For Argos, this is our first entry into CNG powered concrete mixers worldwide, and with our ‘hub and spoke’ fleet business model, we think it makes perfect sense,” said Argos USA Sourcing Manager, Daryl Mizell. Mizell went on to say that Argos would be piloting 40 new Peterbilt CNG-powered mixers distributed between the two ready mix plants. The first station is slated for an early May 2014 startup date.
The stations will be powered by the TruStar Energy PFS Elite 225 system, the newest entry into the company’s line of portable CNG fueling systems. The Elite Series features a common skid frame that will facilitate up to three compressors, allowing for redundancy. The installed systems, designed to produce 100 diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) of fuel per hour, will each provide fuel to support 20 CNG-powered concrete trucks.
“We’re excited to see the ready mix concrete market segment embrace alternative fuel more aggressively – Argos USA is one of the companies leading others toward CNG-powered concrete mixers as opposed to traditional diesel power,” said TruStar Energy Vice President, Scott Edelbach. “Concrete trucks are a perfect application for CNG as they generally come back to their yard each night – and travel relatively short distances to deliver their payload. Often times, they are backed up to a concrete pump or pouring into a paving machine. With CNG-fueled mixers, a ready mix producer is burning CNG at roughly half the cost per gallon of diesel to do the same job.”
According to Mizell, Argos is already looking at the purchase of another 40 CNG-powered mixer to expand their CNG footprint into two additional market areas. “We’re empowering our regional managers to look at their local Clean Air Coalition grants to see where we may have synergies,” said Mizell, adding that possible locations included Atlanta, Charlotte, and Little Rock.
“Converting from diesel to CNG is a game changer for enhancing the profitability of transportation operations,” said TruStar Energy President, Adam Comora. “Fuel savings from 30% to 50% create significant value for fleet operators and their partners. Natural gas is better for the environment, better for domestic energy independence and better for the bottom line – truly a win-win-win solution.”
TruStar Energy has historically focused on constructing ‘behind the fence’ private stations. Over the past few years it has built approximately 60 such stations in the United States. The company has recently expanded out to build owned and public/private fueling stations like these for Argos. TruStar Energy has the capability of building 40 CNG stations per year and expects to double that capacity over the next few years.
(Source: TruStar Energy)
