German company TÜV Rheinland, a global provider of technical services and integrated UAE energy company ADNOC Distribution of Abu Dhabi have been acknowledged in a high level meeting in Germany for their work over several years to introduce a viable and sustainable Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) infrastructure in the Emirates. The two companies presented outcomes of their initiatives during the 9th Session of the German-UAE Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Co-operation in Berlin last week.
German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Dr. Philipp Rösler inaugurated the Session together with H.E. Sultan Saeed Nasser Al Mansouri, Federal Minister of Economics and Foreign Trade of the UAE. Among the participants were the General Manager of ADNOC, H. E. Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, Senior Vice President Eng. Saeed M. Al Rashedi, Dr. Stefan Behrning, Head of Automotive Approval at the Competence Center for Alternative Fuels at TÜV Saarland Automobil GmbH / TÜV Rheinland Group and Carl A.Wagner, Senior Consultant for Certification and Training.
Over the course of the conference, ADNOC Distribution General Manager H. E. Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri and Senior Vice President Eng. Saeed M. Al Rashedi highlighted the successful cooperation with German companies in the implementation of environment-friendly mobility using natural gas in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Behrning added: “We are glad to share our know-how in the field of environment-friendly mobility using natural gas with ADNOC over the past 6 years bringing this project to a great mutual success. ADNOC and TÜV are planning to extend and intensify the great cooperation with the UAE in the near future”.
Since the union of the Emirates in 1971, Abu Dhabi has experienced a rapid increase in urban sprawl and the proliferation of motor vehicles, resulting in increased exposure to health risks associated with air pollution. So it was that his Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan decreed the introduction of natural gas as a viable and sustainable vehicle fuel, appointing ADNOC as project leader.
TÜV Rheinland lists several achievements and next steps:
- 13 Natural Gas Fueling Stations installed in Abu Dhabi and four in Sharjah, operated by ADNOC Dist.,
- 4 NGV conversion centers operating
- Ca. 2,800 vehicles converted to run on Natural Gas, managed by ADNOC Dist.
- 8 CNG bulk trailers operated by ADNOC Dist.
- Another 5 Natural Gas Fueling Stations, and another 4 CNG bulk trailers expected to be certified and ready for use in 2013
- Introduction of Dual-Fuel (simultaneous use of Diesel and Natural Gas) Technology until Summer 2013
The above operating fueling stations, conversion centres and vehicles have all been certified by TÜV Rheinland. The implementation of compliance measures to ensure ongoing operational safety has been a hallmark of this project, aided by comprehensive training across all areas of the industry.
(Source: TÜV Rheinland)
