Category: Technology

Energy Commission Awards Funds for Alternative Fuel Projects for California

August 31, 2010 – 12:04 am | USA, Sacramento

Biogas from wastewater has potential to replace 29% annual diesel consumed in the State

The California Energy Commission has approved two awards that leverage more than $2.3 million in state funding with $3.37 million in private funds. The projects will reduce petroleum use, cut pollution and provide jobs by demonstrating the possibilities of installing a natural gas vehicle refuelling station, and capturing natural gas from wastewater sludge. The awards are funded from the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Transportation program. The projects including costs and benefits are described below.
Read More »

Categories: Biomethane, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Infrastructure, Market Developments, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , , , | Comments (0)

US NETL Breakthrough for Methane Hydrate

August 29, 2010 – 2:34 pm | USA, Washington DC

NETL Process, Nozzle Technology May Help Reduce Production, Transportation, and Storage Costs

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) have developed a process and related technology that could enhance the nation’s ability to use natural gas and vast methane hydrate energy resources.
Read More »

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Gas Storage, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: | Comments (0)

Enhanced Emissions and Fuel Efficiency for HD Methane Engines

August 28, 2010 – 4:34 pm

A report entitled Enhanced Emissions Support and Fuel Efficiency for HD Methane Engines, prepared by AVL MTC Motortestcenter AB for the International Energy Agency – Advanced Motor Fuels, may be of interest to decision-makers considering the introduction of methane fuel HD engines. This literature survey was conducted in order to define the state-of-the-art for methane-fuelled engines to be used in heavy-duty vehicles. The use of methane can increase energy security, mitigate CO2 emissions, and potentially reduce toxic exhaust emissions.


Read More »

Categories: Engines, Technology | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Lessman Racing Prepares for World of Speed Meet, September 2010

August 25, 2010 – 9:01 am | USA

GFI/Impco fuel regulators, Clean Air Power injectors - ready to blitz

After a disappointing end to their 2009 campaign the CNG-powered Lessman racing team is ready for another season of record-breaking attempts. New GFI/Impco fuel regulators are installed along with the new Clean Air Power (CAP) injectors in the Lessman/Lucas Streamliner which is entered for the World of Speed meet at Bonneville September 15-18, 2010. The team confidently states the vehicle has completed its best ever preparation.

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Market Developments, Motorsport, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , | Comments (0)

Hardstaff Dual-Fuel Technology for HGVs Shortlisted for Regional Prize

August 24, 2010 – 3:33 am | United Kingdom

Hardstaff Dual-Fuel Mercedes, compliant to Euro IV

The Hardstaff Group’s Oil-Ignition-Gas-Injection (OIGI®) system, enhanced through collaboration with Loughborough University in Leicestershire, has been shortlisted in the Innovation for Sustainability category at the 2010 Lord Stafford Awards in the UK after demonstrating its ability to cut engine CO2 emissions for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) by up to 20%. Winners will be announced at an event on September 9th.
Read More »

Categories: Biomethane, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Engines, Market Developments, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , , | Comments (0)

Biomethane-Powered VW Scirocco Opens German Rally

August 24, 2010 – 2:36 am | Germany

The VW Scirocco GT24 CNG runs the opening safety check for the German Rally.

Dakar Rally winner Carlos Sainz (Spain) and Dakar runner-up Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar) exchanged their Race Touaregs for an environmentally friendly biomethane-powered Scirocco GT24 during their drive as course openers on each day of the 2010 ADAC Rally Deutschland. The Scirocco was released from race duties in the VW one-brand Scirocco Cup and modified for the rally opener, including increasing ground clearance by approx 20mm.
Read More »

Categories: Biomethane, Motorsport, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: | Comments (0)

US NGV Industry Upbeat at NGVAmerica Summit Conference

August 16, 2010 – 4:02 am | Source: Fleets&Fuels | USA, Boston

NGVAmerica’s Summit-Conference, held in Boston last week, has confirmed upbeat sentiment amongst industry members with almost universal agreement that the industry is on the verge of a tipping point which should see vehicle and fuelling station numbers increase dramatically in coming years. More than 150 delegates attended a series of meetings and sessions over the three day event with some in-house meetings attracting standing room only crowds. Attending NGV Global executive director, Brett Jarman, described the atmosphere as enthusiastic, positive and forward looking. Following are some of the NGV related highlights from Fleets and Fuel’s Showtime News, published for the WasteCon Exhibition held immediately after the Summit:
Read More »

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Engines, Event News, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Market Developments, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), Refuelling, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , , , , | Comments (0)

Maruti Suzuki Launches Five Factory Fitted CNG Models

August 13, 2010 – 2:54 pm | India, New Delhi

Maruti-Suzuki launches five iGPI-fitted NGVs simultaneously.

Introduces Next Generation CNG Technology

India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki has unveiled its flagship CNG engine technology, ‘intelligent-Gas Port Injection’ or i-GPI on five popular models. The CNG vehicles were unveiled by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Environment and Forests in the presence of senior government dignitaries and the Maruti Suzuki management team. The natural gas vehicle models include SX4, Eeco, WagonR, Estilo and Alto and are being launched in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Gujrat.
Read More »

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Engines, Market Developments, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), Technology, Vehicles, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , | Comments (0)

ARAI Develops HCNG Engine

August 7, 2010 – 3:02 am | Source: Times of India | India, Pune

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has developed a four-cylinder engine at their power train engineering (PTE) laboratory, according to a report by Times of India. The 3.9 liter engine, modified from an existing CNG engine, will support an 18 per cent blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). It promises to reduce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other emissions.
Read More »

Categories: Engines, HCNG, Market Developments, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: | Comments (0)

MIT Study Recognises Importance of Natural Gas as Bridge to Future

August 4, 2010 – 11:41 pm | USA, Cambridge MA

Natural gas truly is a bridge to a low-carbon future,” said MITEI Director Ernest J. Moniz

Recommendation for transportation sector: remove policy and regulatory barriers to natural gas as a transportation fuel

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has completed a two year study which examined the scale of U.S. natural gas reserves and the potential of this fuel to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Undertaken by the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), the study concluded that natural gas will play a leading role in reducing GHG emissions over the next several decades.
Read More »

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Country Reports, Emissions, Infrastructure, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Policy, Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , | Comments (1)

OMV CNG Rally Team 2nd in Schneebergland Rally

July 31, 2010 – 12:16 am | Austria

Stohl, CNG power and gravel - a successful combination at the Schneebergland Rally.

Stohl 0.2 seconds behind rally leader after all 15 stages completed

In the fifth round of the Austrian National Rally Championship, the Schneebergland Rally, the OMV CNG (Compressed natural gas) Rally Team has scored it’s biggest success in this year’s season. They reached second place overall in the CNG-powered car, which conforms to Division I regulations. Stohl performs best driving on gravel roads, and with 60% of the Schneebergland roads being gravel, the promise to perform well was fulfilled. The gap between first and second places after 15 stages was just 0.2 seconds.
Read More »

Categories: Motorsport, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , | Comments (0)

ESI Orders Clean Air Power’s Catalyst

July 29, 2010 – 2:36 pm | USA, Houston TX

Clean Air Power (CAP)’s Houston facility has received a significant catalytic converter order from its customer Emissions Solutions Inc.(“ESI”). The order is worth $356,250 and is the second such order from ESI, the first was received in April 2010 for $215,000. ESI will use these catalysts on their 7.6L Natural Gas Engines to control Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Carbon Monoxide and Hydrocarbons. Combined with the CAP DeNOx catalysts, the ESI engines will deliver sub EPA ‘10 emission levels for their truck and bus operating customers. EPA ‘10 requires near-zero emissions of particulates and NOx. The relationship between CAP and ESI has resulted in a design specifically for ESI’s engine technology.

Categories: Business, Emissions, Market Developments | Tags: , | Comments (0)

Omnitek’s High Pressure Natural Gas Filter Faces Strong Demand

July 28, 2010 – 2:44 pm | USA, San Marcos CA

Omnitek Engineering Corporation, a developer of natural gas engines and proprietary diesel-to-natural gas conversion systems, says business is booming for their high-pressure natural gas filters. with more than 20,000  sold since the component’s introduction earlier this year. The filters, which provide protection from solid particulate matter and oil aerosols, are made for light and heavy duty vehicles powered by CNG. Sales have been bolstered by receiving international certification from an independent agency in January, based on tests and standards sanctioned by the United Nationals Economic Commission for Europe, specifically UN-ECE-110R.

Categories: Business, Emissions, Engines, Equipment, Market Developments, Technology | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Cummins Westport Plans NG ISX11.9 for 2013

July 27, 2010 – 3:04 pm | Source: Fleets&Fuels

Cummins Westport is planning  is planning a dedicated-natural gas, spark ignition version of the new ISX11.9 diesel engine from Cummins, which may be available in 2013, according to a Fleets & Fuels report. Cummins reported U.S. EPA and California certification of the diesel engine to 2010 limits on July 20, and said it will commence full production of the diesel engine in August.
Read More »

Categories: Engines, Market Developments, Technology | Tags: , | Comments (0)

CA Energy Commission Boosts Cutting-Edge Trucks and Buses with Nearly $20 Million

July 21, 2010 – 5:03 pm | USA, Sacramento CA

The California Energy Commission has approved 11 awards for projects that will demonstrate the possibilities for cutting-edge natural gas-powered, hybrid, and electric trucks and buses to reduce petroleum use, cut pollution and provide jobs. The awards leverage almost $20 million in state funding with $9.3 million in federal stimulus money and $39 million in private funds.
Read More »

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Engines, Fleets, Infrastructure, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Market Developments, Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), Technology, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , , , , | Comments (1)