More public buses with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will soon be deployed on the roads of major cities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) helps bus operators shift their fleets to cleaner fuel. ADB has earmarked $275 million for up to five top-tier financial leasing companies in PRC to finance leased buses that run on cleaner fuel – such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) – as well as electric and hybrid buses. Read more »
Energy Vision Report Documents Biomethane (RNG) as Transportation Solution for USA
A newly released publication, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG): The Solution to a Major Transportation Challenge, reports that the use of renewable natural gas (biomethane) as a vehicle fuel is a technologically viable alternative to relying exclusively on petroleum-based fuels for transportation. The new publication was prepared by Energy Vision, a national, New York-based energy research organization. Read more »
Carbon Credit Sales to Buy CNG Buses in Poland
Poland's Marcin Korolec and Spain's Federico Ramos sign a carbon credits transfer contract.
Marcin Korolec, Polish Minister of the Environment and Federico Ramos, Spanish Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment signed a contract 4th October for the transfer of carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol. The proceeds will contribute to energy efficiency projects in Poland by investments in ecological city transportation and smart city lighting systems. Polish industry group cng.auto.pl says some of the funds will be utilised for the purchase of new natural gas buses and conversion of fleet vehicles to natural gas. Read more »
New Fuel Economy and GHG Rules in US Support NGV Industry
The credits reward manufacturers for producing NGVs. (NGVAmerica)
The Obama Administration has finalized standards in the USA, that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025. NGVAmerica, the national natural gas vehicle association, says the rules “allow automakers to earn GHG and FE (fuel economy) credits, in part by producing natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and other advanced technology vehicles, so actual fleet averages are expected to be less than 54.5 mpg. NHTSA’s (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) fuel economy regulations actually specify a fuel economy average of 49.6 mpg by 2025.” Read more »
Gaz Métro Secures Biomethane Fuel Supply for HD Market
Québecian natural gas distribution company Gaz Métro has progressed its energy diversification plan by entering into an agreement to acquire biomethane and build a public liquefied biomethane fuelling station at Rivière-du-Loup, a small city on the south shore of the St Lawrence River. The agreement covers the purchase of the liquefied biomethane produced by the anaerobic digestion plant at Rivière-du-Loup and the operation of a new biomethane fuelling station, intended for the heavy transport market. Read more »
US EPA Workshop Focuses on Certification Under New HD Rules
On November 3rd, the U.S. EPA will hold a workshop to discuss the recently promulgated greenhouse gas emissions standards and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles, reports NGVAmerica. The standards aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency for on-road heavy-duty vehicles. This workshop will focus on topics that must be explained in the short term to facilitate manufacturers wishing to certify early. The workshop is applicable to the following industry sectors:
(1) Class 2b & 3 Heavy-duty Pickup Trucks and Vans;
(2) Heavy-duty Engines; and
(3) Class 7 & 8 Combination Tractors and Class 2b-8 Vocational Vehicles. Read more »
US Administration Finalizes MD-HD Fuel Efficiency and GHG Standards
On Tuesday, the U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. NGVAmerica, the Natural Gas Vehicles for America association, has provided a summary of the outcomes for the US natural gas vehicle industry, noting this is the first time that such rules have been imposed on this class of vehicles and engines. The regulations start to take effect in 2014 and will be fully phased-in by 2018. The fuel efficiency regulations actually lag the GHG rules by two years, not taking effect until 2016.
Transport Sector Has Fastest Growing GHG Emissions in New EU Stats
Eurostat figures for climate change have been released for the decade 1999-2008 showing a decline of 2.4 % of total EU GHG emissions. Hiding in this data is the continuing rise of emissions by the transport sector, by 5% over the same period, apparently explained by increasing transport volumes and the lack of significant shift towards cleaner modes and fuels. GHG emissions for transport grew from 916 to 962 million tonnes CO2-equivalent. NGV Global statistics for the same decade for Europe showed an annual average growth rate of 12% for natural gas vehicles (all types). With NGVs offering significant reductions in GHGs increasing this rate has the potential to counter the rise in transport emissions, particularly as “Demographic projections and economic structures make it likely that the demand for transport – and thus its volume – will continue to grow in the coming decades.” Read more »
Scania Collaborates on Development of Biofuel-based Engine Technology
Scania has been granted SEK 30 million (USD 4.4 million) by Sweden’s Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation Initiative (FFI) to develop a biofuel (alcohol and/or methane based) engine intended for heavy commercial vehicles. The company will focus on developing an engine using sustainable biofuels that will combine the high energy efficiency of diesel (compression ignition) technology with the more efficient exhaust aftertreatment system of Otto (spark ignition) technology.
Garrigues Study Identifies Opportunities for Natural Gas Fuel in Spain
A study carried out by Garrigues Medio Ambiente, with the assistance of Asociación Española del Gas (Sedigas – Spanish Gas Association), has come up with recommendations that could help Spain achieve the 20/20/20 Millennium Green Package set by the European Union. The study makes mention of several “Opportunities for Development” for natural gas fuels for transportation. Read more »
ESI Orders Clean Air Power’s Catalyst
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.
US Well-to-Wheels Analysis of Landfill Gas-Based Pathways
The Center for Transportation Research at the Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, has released a report entitled Well-to-Wheels Analysis of Landfill Gas-Based Pathways and Their Addition to the GREET Model, May 2010. The report will be of interest to all communities looking to take advantage of the renewable fuel generated from landfill, a common utility found near all big population centers, with its obvious benefits if utilized for the generation of biomethane as a vehicle fuel. The following Executive Summary is taken from the report: Read more »
SCAQMD Funds 132 Natural Gas Replacements for Diesel Trucks
Clean trucks, clean air, clean ports - SCAQMD funds next round of old truck replacements.
California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District has approved more than $34 million in state and federal grants to replace nearly 600 dirty diesel trucks operating at the ports and in other goods movement activities throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area, known as the Southland, with new, lower-emission models. The grants include $13.17 million to replace 132 diesel trucks with natural gas-fueled trucks used in goods movement activities. “Replacing these diesel trucks with lower-emission models will help reduce the cancer risk to residents exposed to diesel fumes near freeways, ports and warehouses,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., chairman of AQMD’s Governing Board. Read more »
EU Commission Defines Actions for Unlocking Potential Benefits from Improved Bio-waste Management
On 18th May 2010 the European Commission released a Communication with reference COM(2010)235 final to the Council and the European Parliament on future steps in bio-waste management in the European Union (see below). The introductory statement defines the parameters: “In the EU between 118 and 138 million tonnes of bio-waste are produced every year, of which about 88 million tonnes is municipal waste. It is projected to increase on average by 10% by 2020. On the EU average 40% of bio-waste is still landfilled (up to 100% in some Member States). However, landfilling (1) invokes major environmental risks such as emissions of greenhouse gases and pollution of soil and groundwater and, (2) withdraws valuable resources (compost, energy) irrevocably from economic and natural cycles” (see art. 1, p. 2). Read more »
US EPA & DOT Finalize GHG and Efficiency Rules for Motor Vehicles
Favorable outcomes for NGVs following industry submissions
On April 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) issued final regulations paving the way for new greenhouse gas emission controls and fuel efficiency requirements. The rules cover model years 2012–2016 and, when fully phased-in, will require that passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles meet a combined average emissions level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile (225 g/mi for cars, 298 g/mi for light trucks), equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon (MPG) (39.5 mpg for cars, 29.8 mpg for light trucks). EPA has said that the new rules will add an average of $950 to the cost of new vehicles. Read more »
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