A Subaru Outback BoxerCNG at the Bologna event
Approximately 2,500 visitors took part in NGVA Europe’s NGV2012 Bologna Conference and Exhibition in Italy last week, including government, commercial and association representatives from 40 countries. Claudio Kohan, director of NGV Communications Group which organised the event, declared at the end: “We are really satisfied with the results of NGV2012 Bologna and extremely grateful to the companies that, despite the economic crisis, confirmed their participation, showing their all-new state-of-the-art technologies.”
New NGVA Europe Chairman Gerard Holtmeier, NGV Global president Gabriele Gozzi, director of NGV Communications Group Claudio Kohan, and NGV System Italia director Michele Ziosi attended the inauguration ceremony together with representatives from the city of Bologna, Italian and international industry.
Francesco Santangelo, Eni Gas & Power sales manager for the Italian multinational oil and gas company, emphasising one of the purposes for coming together in conference and workshops, said at the opening, “In particular, LNG is one of the next challenges the European project ‘Blue Corridor’ has to face for the creation of an extended distribution network across Europe”. The theme of “European LNG Blue Corridors” was analysed in session, included a new corridor for the Mediterranean Area: it will be characterized by a new route for heavy transport among Spain, France and Italy, with a series of LNG refuelling stations along the corridor. The NGVA Europe Association has already presented this project at the European Union and a first answer should arrive after this summer.
The first details on two LNG trucks arriving on the Italian market were presented: they are the Iveco Stralis LNG Natural Power (with 330 CV dedicated motor) and the Volvo FM MethaneDiesel (with 460 CV dual fuel motor).
Manuel Lage, NGVA Europe general manager underlined one of the problems facing the introduction of LNG-powered transportation. “Currently, every country has its own law on this topic, like Italy, but it’s necessary to conform them soon to favour the development of this strategic sector. The LNG use allows, in fact, besides emission reduction, also an increase of the vehicle autonomy till to 600-700 km, sufficient to long distance transport on road: with a network of 20-30 LNG stations in the whole Europe, among which 4 or 6 in Italy, would be possible to ensure the LNG ‘trucks system’ operation.”
The event was also an opportunity for companies to reinforce the value of the global connections that contribute to natural gas as a growing transportation fuel sector. Ian Scot, president of Westport LD said, “NGV Europe is a great opportunity to present the collective Westport LD family, particularly our European capabilities based in Italy and Sweden, to our partners and customers. It also provides a strong platform on which to share insights and ideas with our peers.”
