USA, California

Port truck emissions to be slashed by 80% in next 4 years

The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has passed a major initiative aimed at cleaning up emissions from trucks serving the port facility.  The groundbreaking initiative includes finalizing previous plans to phase-in lower-polluting trucks, assessment of new container fees, and financing incentives for truck operators.  Under the plan, the port expects to raise more than $2 billion in new funds to help defray the cost of assisting truck operators with the purchase of new trucks.  Beginning October 1, 2008, pre-1989 trucks will no longer be permitted to provide service at the port.  By 2012, all trucks serving the port will have to meet 2007 federal emission standards.  That means trucks will have to either be post-2006 trucks or be retrofitted to meet the new emission limits.  The port initiative includes a goal of ensuring that at least 50 percent of the trucks serving the port are cleaner, alternatively fueled vehicles, such as LNG trucks.

Australia, Perth

Australian based parent of the Hythane company, Eden Energy has issued notices announcing the spinoff of ‘non-hydrogen’ assets in geothermal energy and upstream natural gas supply. Separate IPO and joint-venture arrangements are being set up to give Eden the ability to focus 100% of its energy and resources to fully developing its hydrogen technologies. Eden is putting considerable focus emerging Indian clean fuel market where the Company has already secured strategic alliances and development agreements with several Indian partners, including projects utilizing Hythane, their proprietary blend of hydrogen and methane.

Germany, Schweinfurt

Company taking orders now

BRA GmbH, together with partners PGO Automobiles and gasmobil is to present the world premiere of a methane turbo powered roadster, which runs on natural gas or biogas at the International Auto Salon in Geneva from March 6 to 16. The PGO Cévennes Turbo-CNG has a range of 450 kilometres and delivers 150 hp with a weight of 980 kilos. This permits acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The CO2 emission amounts to roughly 118 g/km. If fuelled only with biomethane, the car will be running CO2-neutral. 

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

Delegates at this year's NGV 2008 Conference and Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro should feel at home with what could be the world's largest natural gas fleet of police vehicles taking to the streets this month. 632 Volkswagen Golfs, converted using White Martins cylinders and conversion kits were launched in the presence of the Governor Sergio Cabral, the Secretary of Security, José Mariano Beltrame, and the General Commander of Military Police, Colonel Gilson Pitta Lopesby. The vehicles are expected to save the state of Rio around R$1 million ($US575,000) per month in fuel costs. (See NGV Group item for more details and photos).

Conferences are an important tool in disseminating information and expertise related to NGVs. IANGV holds its own conference and exhibition every two years.  This is a very well attended event regardless of where in the world it is held.  There are however many other conferences organized by many different groups.  Sometimes they are specialized workshops.  Others are regional or local conferences designed to make people aware of NGV industry opportunities in a particular locality. 

Singapore  

Taxi fleet operator expands into CNG refuelling

Local company Smart Energy has opened Mandai Station, Singapore's largest compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling station today. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is pumped directly from Jurong Island to Smart's 5,700 square metre mother station. The CNG station is the first on Singapore's mainland and was followed a week later by another CNG station opened at Jalan Buroh by Sembcorp Gas. Sembcorp Gas also operates the CNG station on Jurong Island. 

Czech Republic, Prague

By 2014, thousands of Czech state and municipal vehicles will be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) in line with an agreement signed by the government two years ago (see earlier NGV Global report ) with gas companies as part of the country's plan to reduce carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, according to Czech daily Hospodarske noviny (HN).

USA, Californa

Omnitek Engineering, Corp. reports receiving a forecast-order of 1,000 diesel-to-natural gas conversion systems from its JV partner in Thailand, Omnitek Engineering Thailand Co. Ltd,. The value of this order is reported to exceed $US1,200,000. The first lot is scheduled for delivery immediately, with further shipments evenly spaced over the next six months. The Company forecasts sales in Thailand alone to top 2,000 conversion kits in 2008.

Canada, Vancouver BC

Westport Innovations Inc., has been awarded US$2.25 million in funding to support the development, demonstration, commercialization and certification of Westport's heavy-duty LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel system for the Cummins ISX. The aim is to meet the U.S. EPA 2010 NOx (0.2 g/bhp-hr NOx) emissions standard prior to 2010. 

August 21-23, 2008 in Lima, Peru

As at January 2008 there were 23 fuelling stations supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) to 24,000 vehicles in Peru. Growth is predicted to reach 60 CNG stations and 60,000 CNG vehicles by the end of 2008. "FIGAS" International Fair in Peru is organized every two years since 2004 and specializes in the promotion of natural gas, CNG and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The three-day exhibition will feature equipment and supplies for the industrial, vehicular and residential sectors. More information www.thaiscorp.com.

USA, Washington DC. 

New Website - What Do You Know About Hydrogen? H2 and You
Hydrogen Conference - 30 March April 3

The US National Hydrogen Association's Hydrogen Education Foundation has launched a nationwide educational campaign to increase understanding about hydrogen.  The initiative includes targeted public relations and the new, informative website: www.H2andYou.org .  The website has been designed to act as a destination for those wanting to learn more about hydrogen while highlighting, in laymen's terms, new ways hydrogen is being used today and how these uses relate to things people really care about.  The site will answer common questions; present examples of market-ready hydrogen products that provide real energy solutions today; and offer video, podcasts and links to hydrogen news stories.

Canada & Australia

Over 100,000 kms achieved in demonstration fleet
Establishes Australian subsidiary
28% GHG reductions. 54% PM reductions

Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has certified Westport Innovations’ High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel system adapted to the 2008 Cummins ISX heavy-duty engine to the 2008 AustralianDesign Rules (ADR 80/02 and ADR 30/01). In associated news, four Kenworth trucks equipped with Westport's LNG fuel system have achieved over 100,000 kilometres in commercial service to the end of 2007 in a demonstration project funded in part by the Australian Government's Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme (AFCP). Fleets participating in the project, which runs through March 31, 2008, are Murray Goulburn Co-operative, Sands Fridge Lines, and Mitchell Corp.

11-12 March 2008, Brussels, Belgium

Program details have been updated for next month’s workshop in Brussels covering critical issues on CNG and Hydrogen cylinders. Organiser Jeff Seisler of Clean Fuels Consulting, says the event has already attracted participation from as far afield as China, Iran, Israel, Canada and the U.S. apart from people here in Europe. The workshop is the first event to be endorsed under the IANGV’s new conference endorsement program (more details coming soon). More details can be found at www.cngandh2workshop.com.

Sweden, Göteborg

Anyone doubting the prominence of biomethane for transport in Sweden just needs to take a look at Energi & Miljö , a journal published by business cluster group Biogas West. The 28 page publication covers all aspects of biogas use for transport, including production, distribution, research, investment, marketing and final use. It gives an up to the minute view of biogas for transport applications in the region and reflects well on the advanced state of the biogas industry in the region and elsewhere. It’s a must read for anyone with an interest in biogas powered vehicles. More information about the Biogas West program can be found at www.biogasvast.com.

USA & Canada

US department store, Wal-Mart is to introduce four liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled Peterbilt 386 trucks into service at their distribution centre in Apple Valley, California using Westport Innovations HPDI system on Cummins ISX engines. The deployment will be supported in part by funding from the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District's (MDAQMD) Mobile Source Emission Reductions Competitive Bidding Program.

Sweden

Biogas Highway, an international marketplace at the Eco-Tech fair, 7-9 October 2008, will feature all the major players in the vehicle biogas sector, both Swedish and foreign. Biogas Highway will cover the whole processing chain, from raw materials, production and refining to distribution and use. Not only will it enable you to showcase your company, it will also provide a valuable overview of the whole field.

USA, Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Fair at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.  June 14-15. Helping Children Today... And Tomorrow.  Organizer Curtis Martin say this event is intended to advance  the awareness of   Alternative Fuels and  Alternative Fueled Vehicles  to the Aerospace Industry,  Leaders and General Public . Industry stakeholders looking for exposure are invited to contact Curtis via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for participation details.

The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has published information concerning the FY08 appropriations for transit programs.  The document indicates that, for FY08, the FTA will have discretionary funding available for the Clean Fuels Grant Program.  This program, which provides funding for bus purchases as a well as related infrastructure development, once was a formula grant program (i.e., monies were distributed to states proportionately) but it has been converted to a program where recipients now compete for funding (or get an earmark). 

USA, San José

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) will increase its commitment to cleaner air by arranging up to $US1.3 million in new funding for two projects that will enhance the airport’s publicly accessible compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station and provide more incentives to assist owners of taxis and shuttle vans to convert vehicles to CNG. 

India, Delhi

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) continues the modernization of their bus fleet, calling for tenders for the supply of a total of 3,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as the city prepares for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The fleet operator has issued two separate tenders during January for a total of 2,500 non air conditioned low floor CNG buses and 1,000 air conditioned low floor CNG buses. Delivery dates range from between 6 and 18 months from the issuance of a letter of acceptance. Closing dates for lodging of tenders are the 5th of March (1,000 non AC CNG buses) and 25th March (1,500 non AC CNG buses and 1,000 AC CNG buses). More information on the Delhi Transport Corporation website.