Global multi-industry consultant Ricardo plc will launch it’s next generation Atlas-II, the latest high-speed version of Ricardo’s range of large, single cylinder research and development engines, at the 2013 CIMAC World Congress on Combustion Engine Technology next week in Shanghai. A demonstration engine will be on display. The Atlas-II has been developed primarily for manufacturers who design natural gas engines for both mobile and stationary applications. Read more »
Westport Expects “Step Change” Growth for NG Engines in 2013
Westport Innovations Inc., developer and manufacturer of natural gas engines has delivered its 1Q Fiscal report with a clear message from David Demers, CEO of Westport. “We are expecting a step change in growth over the course of this year and remain confident the market for natural gas as a fuel in trucking is here and now – not five or ten years down the road.” The company maintains its revenue outlook for up to 30% year over year growth. Read more »
BNSF to Test LNG in Road Locomotives
The former Burlington Northern used natural gas locomotives in the 1980s and 1990s.
BNSF will begin testing a small number of locomotives using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel later this year, says Matthew K. Rose, BNSF chairman and CEO. BNSF has been working with the two principal locomotive manufacturers, GE and EMD, a unit of Caterpillar, to develop the natural gas engine technology that will be used in the pilot. Read more »
Encana and Ferus Enter JV to Build LNG Fuel Plant for Western Canada
Encana Corporation (Encana), a North American natural gas producer, and Ferus LNG Inc., a North American LNG fuelling solutions provider, have entered a Joint Venture (JV) to build a 190,000 litre per day liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility near Grande Prairie, Alberta. Read more »
Canadian National Railway Co. Tests Dual-Fuel Locomotives
Canadian National Railway's locomotive set for testing natural gas fuel operations.
Canadian National Railway Company (CN) is testing two mainline diesel-electric locomotives fuelled principally by natural gas in revenue service in northern Alberta. Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, said, “CN launched this locomotive test to explore the use of natural gas as a potential alternative to conventional diesel fuel. This reflects CN’s continuing drive to look for ways to improve operating efficiency and advance the company’s sustainability agenda.” Read more »
Finnish Transport Sector Sets 40% Renewable Methane Target
Roadmap Report Summary now available in English
In January 2012, Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications set up a “Future motive powers in transport” task force with a purpose to work out targets and plan paths for achieving them, for different motive powers in road, rail, water and air transport in 2020 and 2050. Read more »
Westport and Caterpillar Will Develop Natural Gas Technology for Off-Road Equipment
Initial focus on mining trucks and locomotives
Westport Innovations Inc., a company that designs and builds an array of natural gas engines, has signed agreements with Caterpillar Inc. to co-develop natural gas technology for off-road equipment, including mining trucks and locomotives. Caterpillar and Westport will combine technologies and expertise, including Westport High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology and Caterpillar’s off-road engine and machine product technology, to develop the natural gas fuel system. Read more »
Westport and EMD to Develop Natural Gas Fuel System for Rail Locomotives
Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) locomotive
Westport Innovations Inc., developer of natural gas engines, has entered into an agreement with Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of diesel-electric locomotives, to integrate Westport’s high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology and natural gas fuel system technologies into an EMD locomotive provided by Canadian National Railways (CN). The consortium is expecting to demonstrate the natural gas locomotive as part of the previously announced Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) project with CN and Gaz Metro. Read more »
Russia’s KAMAZ and RZD Strengthen Cooperation
A delegation from JSCo Russian Railways (RZD) visited KAMAZ, and also OOO RariTEK – a service center and distributor of KAMAZ producing vehicles with gas engines. The guests saw the model range of gas-powered KAMAZ trucks and NEFAZ buses. The railroaders were interested in the issues of maintenance, operation, and three advantages of CNG vehicles – efficiency, environmental friendliness and safety. Read more »
LNG-Powered GT1 Locomotive Sets New World Record
LNG-powered GT1 sets new world record.
The Russian-developed GT1-001 gas turbine-electric locomotive has successfully undergone further field tests in Moscow, in readiness for deployment on non-electrified freight-intensive areas of the railways. Hauling 16,000 tonnes in 170 rail cars, a new world record for a single prime mover with an internal combustion engine, the 300 tonne two-section GT1 combines a turbine and power unit with a separate section containing the 17 tonne liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tank. The engine can develop 8300 kW of power and when fully fuelled can drive the train 750 kms with a top speed of 100 km per hour.
Indian Railways to Explore LNG as Diesel Replacement
Diesel locomotive used for passenger and freight services in India (Image: Wikipedia)
Indian Railways has decided to opt for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on a large scale as part of its staged effort to reduce diesel consumption, green house gas emissions and ensure major operational savings. According to a report by The Economic Times, Indian Railways and the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) have signed a MoU to explore the potential of LNG in a substantial manner in locomotives, factories and workshops. Natural gas will be sourced from the Middle East. A senior Railways official says significant fuel cost savings will be achieved by switching to LNG, and suggests the initiative may stimulate broader adoption of LNG as a primary fuel, in large part due to increased efficiencies and affordability of cryogenic cold chain supply.
China Introduces Fuel Cell Light-Rail Train
Recently, the China North Vehicle Yongji Electric Motor Corporation (YEMC) and the Southwest Jiaotong University jointly launched China’s first new energy fuel cell light-rail train. The country’s first new-energy fuel cell light-rail locomotive utilises hydrogen and a YEMC-developed permanent-magnet synchronous motor and frequency converter as its main source of power, reports People’s Daily Online. Advantages of the synchronous motor are said to include high power, high efficiency, remarkable energy conservation, low vibration and minimal noise. Read more »
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