Spain, Barcelona

Super computer tackles 7 scenarios
Concludes 10% of cars or 50% of delivery vans most effective measures
      
The Gas Natural Foundation has presented a study on how natural vehicular gas could help reduce atmospheric pollution in Madrid and Barcelona. Air quality in Madrid and Barcelona would improve considerably if just 10% of their cars were replaced by vehicles fuelled by natural gas. This is the finding of the study “Improving air quality by converting to the use of natural gas in automation. Applicable to Madrid and Barcelona.”

Thailand, Bangkok

ANGVA’s inaugural Green Highways Project came to an exciting end in Bangkok as the Southern and Eastern route caravans arrival was celebrated with an engaging welcome ceremony and press conference at PTT’s Bangkok HQ before the start of the 2007 2nd ANGVA Conference and Exhibition the following day. ANGVA’s inaugural Green Highways Project can be considered a rousing success. Eighteen NGVs traveled a combined total of 44,942 kilometres across two routes starting at Chuncheon, Korea and Singapore, and converging at the 2nd ANGVA 2007 Conference and Exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand.

USA, Chicago

Wind Point Partners Acquires Gas Technologies Business Group of Harsco Corporation

Wind Point Partners, a private equity investment firm, has completed the acquisition of Taylor-Wharton International (“TWI”), previously known as the Gas Technologies business group of Harsco Corporation, in partnership with Bob Gadomski, who will lead TWI as CEO. TWI, based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., serves customers through four divisions:

•         Taylor-Wharton cryogenic storage units and compressed gas cylinders
•         American Welding & Tank propane tanks
•         Sherwood precision valves
•         Structural Composites Industries lightweight, filament-reinforced composite cylinders 

Thailand, Bangkok
 
US based engine and conversion system developer Omnitek Engineering, Corp. has appoint CYT Gas Tech Co. Ltd. (CGT) the exclusive Omnitek natural gas engine warranty and engine parts distribution center for Thailand, as well as a non-exclusive dealer for Omnitek’s CNG engines. Omnitek develops and supplies new natural gas engines and a proprietary technology which converts diesel engines to operate on natural gas, propane or hydrogen. 

Stakeholders seeking tax free fiscal status for biomethane

France

The French Department of Industry is expected to grant bio-methane producers the authorization to use the natural gas networks for distributing biomethane. BioGazMax reports that the decision is expected by summer 2008. The organization also reports that the Lille Metropolitan Community Authorities (LMCU) is in the process of introducing 70 biomethane fueled refuse trucks and that stakeholders in France are hoping to have favorable taxation regimes in place to recognise the renewable status of biomethane. 

China

News agencies in China are reporting two new joint ventures aimed at increasing compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling infrastructure in China. Hong Kong-based Sino Gas Group Ltd reportedly says its affiliate Sino Gas (Jiangxi) Ltd. will build CNG (compressed natural gas) stations in the southern Chinese province of Jiangxi, in cooperation with Nanchang Municipal Public Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd via a 60/40 joint venture. China Gas Holdings Ltd. wholly-owned subsidiary Zhongran Investment Ltd is to set up a joint venture with a local company in resource-rich Yulin City, north Shaanxi Province in Northwestern China.

USA, New York

Manhattan Beer Distributors of New York and Peak Organic Brewing of Portland, ME, have raised glasses to toast a clean delivery. "This is an opportunity for folks in metro New York to celebrate with a delicious, sustainable toast." said Jon Cadoux, the passionate craft beer brewer who founded Peak Organic Brewing. "We are proud to be distributed via the pioneering, energy efficient practices of Manhattan Beer Distributors." Ten percent of Manhattan Beer's fleet of 300 delivery trucks have been retrofitted to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) through state grants totaling more than $1 million. The trucks deliver to the five boroughs of New York City, all of Long Island and seven counties north of New York City. The company also has sustainable systems installed at its Brooklyn, NY refueling station. 

USA, California

San Francisco International Airport is to get 14 alternative fueled shuttles following a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for advanced technology demonstration programs for improving air quality in the region. The vehicles will be fueled by Hythane Company’s 80/20 natural gas/hydrogen blend using engines converted by BAF Technologies. 

Thailand, Bangkok

Anyone with doubts about the viability of the natural gas vehicle industry in Asia would have laid them to rest this week, following the successful staging of ANGVA 2007, the 2nd Biennial Conference and Exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ANGVA) in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 9,000 visitors attended the 7,500 m2 exhibition, featuring over 138 companies from 28 countries over the course of the three day event. Moe than 400 delegates also attended the three day conference held in conjunction with the exhibition.

The success of the event was evident from Day One, with some exhibitors saying that the first day alone had brought in more business than any previous NGV or related conference. Trends continued with exhibition attendance rising on subsequent days. Registration data showed a strong level of interest from overseas, with more than 40% of exhibition visitors arriving from outside of Thailand for the event.
 

Thailand, Bangkok

All classes of vehicles represented in conference
Chevrolet expecting 60% NGV Optra sales in Thailand
Heavy duty engines gaining markets in Asia

The increasing availability of OEM manufactured and endorsed natural gas vehicles was evident at ANGVA 2007, with one Plenary Session of the conference including 5 OEM representatives covering all classes of vehicles. In a case of perfect timing, General Motors Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Thomson told delegates that the company was enjoying considerable success with their CNG fuelled Chevrolet Optra. “Yesterday saw the VIP opening day of the Bangkok Motor Expo. Typically we would expect to sell around 100 units, usually petrol and diesel but yesterday we sold 180 units, 80 of which were CNG fuelled Optras.” Thomson went on to say that the company expects their CNG fuelled Optra to make up around 60% of Optra sales in Thailand.

Thailand, Bangkok

Distance has proved no object for members of ANGVA’s Green Highway Project and the Asian Eco-Fuel Tour, travelling from Germany, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia to demonstrate the endurance and versatility of natural gas vehicles.  Customs delays in Vietnam forced the late arrival of the EcoFuel team in Bangkok but the Green Highways teams arrived on schedule and in time for a pre-planned welcome ceremony at PTT’s head office in Thailand. A more detailed report on the Green Highway will feature in an upcoming issue of NGV Global.

India, Gujarat

Choice and availability of Type I steel compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders is increasing yet again with the Lizer Group of India establishing a manufacturing plant in the Kandla Special Economic Zone in Gujarat. The plant is operating at its Phase 1 capacity, capable of producing 200,000 cylinders per annum, stepping up to Phase 2 next year with a capacity of 400,000 cylinders per annum.

The ANGVA Board has settled on Korea’s Donghae City as the host for their 3rd Biennial Conference and Exhibition, ANGVA 2009. The announcement was made at ANGVA 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand and follows a bidding process which commenced in September 2007. ANGVA 2009 will be followed three years later by NGV 2012, the conference and exhibition of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV) being held in Chuncheon, the capital of Donghae’s home province of Gangwon-do. 

Indonesia, Jakarta

Jakarta’s deadlock on the availability of compressed natural gas (CNG) could soon be over with the major fuel suppliers, Pertamina, Petronas and Shell Indonesia apparently agreeing to begin supplying CNG from their retail stations in the coming months. While CNG busways have commenced operation in the past year, supplies for public users have been difficult to come by for some years.

Singapore

Singapore Petroleum Company and SembCorp Gas have united to set up the first mainland Singapore compressed natural gas (CNG) retail station, which opens to the public at Jalan Buroh early 2008. Today Online reports that according to SembCorp Gas Director, Francis J Gomez, there are plans to build "three or four" more CNG stations in expectation of increased demand and going forward, there would be services to convert petrol-fuelled cars to CNG. Currently, the only other CNG refuelling station now is on Jurong Island.

Peru, Lima

The Peruvian Government has responded to increased oil prices by opening up new discussion on the promotion of natural gas vehicle (NGV) ownership. Minister of Energy and Mines, Juan Valdivia, has proposed lowering tariffs (7%) and Selective Consumer Tax (12%) on the import of new cars with a capacity of up to 1500 cm³, which includes cars used mostly for taxis.

Organizers of the NGV 2008 Conference have extended the final date to receive abstracts. The new schedule is:

- Abstracts submission final date : December 30th, 2007 - Abstracts approval: January 15, 2008

- Final paper submission date: March 14, 2008 - Final paper approval date: April 14, 2008

Conference Website: www.NGV2008.com.br

Most alternative fuel programs just ‘diversions’ from real solutions
Middle East better prepared for end of oil age than oil importers
100% greenhouse gas reductions available at lower price

With crude oil almost reaching the $US100 per barrel mark, it’s time for Governments around the world to stop paying lip service and get serious about alternative fuel programs. That was the message today from John Lyon, President of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs), speaking from Toronto, Canada. “We’ve seen lots of small scale programs and billions of dollars being invested in fuels that ‘hold promise’ but we can’t wait any longer,” said Lyon. “With natural gas more widely available than oil, lower in cost and now easily available as a renewable fuel, I challenge Governments to explain why they aren’t adopting programs to increase the uptake of natural gas vehicles now.”