NGVAmerica News Week in Review: August 21, 2017

• Study Shows Environmental Benefits of Ultra-Low Emission HD Natural Gas Engines
• S. Coast Guard to Hold Marine Technology and Standards Workshop
• Worthington Industries Introduces Type 3 Rail Mount CNG Fuel System
• Excellance Completes Custom CNG Ambulance for Fire Department
• Chart and Ground Force Worldwide to Deliver First LNG/Diesel Refueling Vehicle
• ACT Research Makes Available Enhanced Alternative Fuels Calculator
• Carnival Launches Sustainability Website, Releases 2016 Sustainability Report

Study Shows Environmental Benefits of Ultra-Low Emission HD Natural Gas Engines

August 14, 2017

The University of California, Riverside College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) and SoCalGas recently announced the results of a new study on ultra-low emission natural gas heavy-duty engines. The study found that a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Agency (Metro) bus equipped with an ultra-low emission natural gas engine performs significantly cleaner than its certification standards across all duty cycles.

Researchers tested the Cummins Westport ISL G near zero natural gas engine in a variety of conditions typical of a Metro bus. In all conditions, the engine performed even better than California’s toughest in the nation standard for smog-forming emissions. In some driving conditions emissions were practically zero.

“We have tested two of the ISL G near-zero 8.9 liter engines, one in a refuse hauler and one in a Metro bus. In both cases, the NOx emissions were surprisingly low and 99 percent cleaner than the current standard and 99.96 percent cleaner than the 2004 standard,” said Kent Johnson, associate research engineer for CE-CERT and lead researcher on this study. “The near-zero engine will provide immediate NOx relief to our region at a low cost, and coupled with renewable natural gas (RNG), would provide long-term stability to our energy and climate change needs.”

Highlights of the study include:

• The engine tested below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NOx (smog-forming) emissions certification level of 2g/bhp-hr.
• The engine tested below the California Air Resources Board voluntary limit of 0.02 /bhp-hr. This is the only engine to meet the California
• Emissions for some driving patterns, such as stop-and-go traffic were even lower
• In some driving conditions, the bus tested as low as 0.0007g/bhp-hr, or practically zero

The California Air Resources Board set ambitious NOx inventory requirements by 2023 for the South Coast Air Basin in its Air Quality Management Plan. CARB’s air quality modeling shows achieving the 2023 standard will require an additional 70 percent reduction in NOx emissions from current standards. Heavy duty natural gas vehicles can play a vital role in cleaning air in the South Coast today.

U.S. Coast Guard to Hold Marine Technology and Standards Workshop

August 16, 2017

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it will hold a two-day workshop on marine technology and standards in Washington, DC, October 16 to 17, 2017.  The workshop which is being held in coordination with the America Society of Mechanical Engineers, will include issues related to the use of CNG and LNG as marine fuels and as cargo on ships.

The Coast Guard says the workshop will provide a unique opportunity for industry groups, classification societies, standards development organizations, government organizations, and other interested members of the public to come together for a professional exchange of information on topics ranging from technological impacts on the marine industry, corresponding coverage in related codes and standards, and government regulations. NGVAmerica plans on attending the workshop to provide the insights and interests of the NGV industry.

Those interested in attending the workshop can find more information here and can register here.

Worthington Industries Introduces Type 3 Rail Mount CNG Fuel System

August 18, 2017

Worthington Industries announced the addition of a new type 3 rail mount CNG fuel system to its alternative fuel systems business. With only five unique parts, the Worthington says it is the lightest fuel system on the market. It is designed to improve fuel economy and increase payload, reducing fleet total cost of ownership.

“Weight means something different for each fleet and for some, it can make or break profitability,” said Wayne Powers, general manager of the alternative fuel systems business for Worthington Industries. “For others, it’s a fuel economy factor. This system, built with input from truck OEMs, installers and fleet owners, achieves both objectives.”

Worthington’s Type 3 Rail Mount employs truck OEM factory-installed brackets to hold an aluminum cylinder, similar to the fit and finish of a diesel tank. Additionally, truck OEM factory-installed steps provide standard driver ingress and egress. At 27 inches width off of the frame rail, the fuel system provides a similar width profile to diesel trucks, reducing the likelihood of clipping objects on turns.

The system makes its debut as seven units roll out of Worthington’s Salt Lake City facility this month, headed to Arcadia, California to join a fleet of trucks operated by Food Express, Inc., a for-hire transportation company specializing in dry bulk food commodities.

Worthington’s fuel systems are assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah with cylinders certified to NGV2 and FMVSS 304 and systems certified to NFPA 52 and CSA B109.

Excellance Completes Custom CNG Ambulance for Fire Department

August 16, 2017

Excellance, Inc. announced it has finished a new CNG unit for Bossier City Fire Department in Louisiana. The CNG units burn cleaner and boast significantly lower fuel costs compared to standard gas and diesel engines, and Excellance says the Bossier City’s switch to CNG has saved over $7,000 per vehicle in fuel costs annually.

The vehicle was completed ahead of Pinnacle 2017 Conference for the EMS industry held earlier this month in Boca Raton, Florida, where Excellance displayed.

Chart and Ground Force Worldwide to Deliver First LNG/Diesel Refueling Vehicle

August 14, 2017

Chart and Ground Force Worldwide (GFW) announced the launch of the first dual LNG/diesel refueling truck, based on a Kenworth T800 and Chart’s Orca unit, that was designed and built for a large rock quarry customer in Florida. The customer is using the vehicle as a fueling solution for their recently converted fleet of haul trucks, which were retro-fitted with LNG conversions.

The two companies hadn’t worked together previously, and this was GFW’s first excursion into LNG and cryogenics. The partners have been able to gather information from the field with the quarry reportedly impressed with the unit’s build quality and an ability to fuel 50 percent faster than with its previous system.

ACT Research Makes Available Enhanced Alternative Fuels Calculator

August 21, 2017

ACT Research announced its enhanced fuels calculator for fleets now covers operating cost comparisons between natural gas, diesel, hydrogen-fuel cell and electric. ACT’s Truck Fuel Calculator helps fleets measure power selection and vehicle cost, fuel and performance, and maintenance over a set time period or trade cycle.

The fuels calculator can be accessed here.

ACT also offers a “Natural Gas & Alternative Fuels Quarterly Report” for companies interested in the alternative fuels market. It is designed to provide insights in the evolution of the adoption of alternative fuels for the heavy duty transportation industry. For more information, click here.

Carnival Launches Sustainability Website, Releases 2016 Sustainability Report

August 15, 2017

Carnival Corporation released its 2016 sustainability report as part of the launch of its new dedicated sustainability website. The report and complementary site detail the company’s sustainability efforts and the progress made in 2016 toward its 2020 sustainability performance goals. The report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 “core” level, and a full copy can be downloaded from Carnival Corporation’s new site.

In 2015, Carnival Corporation announced its 2020 sustainability goals, establishing 10 goals for reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing the health, safety and security of its guests and crew members and promoting sustainable business practices among its brands, business partners and suppliers.

“We take our commitment to sustainability and the environment very seriously and take proactive measures to ensure that sustainability is ingrained in the core of our business practices,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation, whose industry-leading cruise lines sail to more than 760 ports around the world.

Notable progress made by Carnival Corporation in 2016 that is highlighted in the report includes being ahead of schedule in achieving a nearly 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions relative to the 2005 baseline. As part of the company’s commitment to reduce air emissions and improve air quality in the environments where its ships visit, Carnival Corporation pioneered the use of LNG with the introduction of the AIDAprima in 2016. AIDAprima is the first cruise ship in the world with a dual-fuel engine that can be powered by LNG while in port. The company will continue its efforts to pioneer use of this clean-burning fuel with seven next-generation ships on order that will be powered by LNG while in port and at sea. The company also signed an agreement with Shell to supply LNG.