NGVAmerica News Week in Review: November 27, 2017

• British Columbia’s TransLink Orders Additional 106 CNG Buses with New Flyer
• Ryder to Haul Toyota Parts with Clean Energy LNG
• Atlanta Gas Light Assists City of Augusta with Opening Second CNG Station
• CNG-Powered Buses Introduced at Baltimore/Washington Airport
• California Transit Authority Expands Low-Emission Fleet with CNG Buses
• Landi Renzo and Clean Energy Combine Compressor Businesses
• IVECO to Deliver a Further 250 Natural Gas Trucks to Jacky Perrenot Group
• Eight Energy Companies Commit to Reduce Methane Emissions Worldwide
• UK Celebrates Launch of First LNG Ferry

 

British Columbia’s TransLink Orders Additional 106 CNG Buses with New Flyer

November 20, 2017

New Flyer Industries Canada announced that the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) has contracted with New Flyer to provide 106 Xcelsior CNG-powered heavy-duty transit buses. The order was supported by the Federal Gas Tax Fund, through which the Government of Canada provides funding for municipal infrastructure, including public transit.

The CNG buses will be equipped with 2018 Cummins L9N engines, which provide a significantly reduced carbon footprint supporting TransLink’s initiative for increasingly sustainable transit. In October 2017, the Metro Vancouver transit system was named the third most sustainable transit system in North America by the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Mobility Index.

“We are proud to build on our longstanding relationship with TransLink as it evolves to a desired state of low and no emission public transportation,” said Paul Smith, New Flyer’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With a focus on sustainable transit, New Flyer will continue to evolve alongside leaders like TransLink, building reliable and innovative technology to support healthy communities, to preserve the environment, and to foster smart, connected cities.”

TransLink delivers public transportation services through Coast Mountain Bus Company, British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. (SkyTrain) and West Coast Express Ltd., across the Metro Vancouver region. On an average weekday, there are approximately 1.3 million boardings on the TransLink system.

 

Ryder to Haul Toyota Parts with Clean Energy LNG

November 21, 2017

Ryder has awarded Clean Energy a four-year fueling contract for a fleet of heavy duty LNG trucks that move goods for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility in North America located in Georgetown, Kentucky. Clean Energy will open a station in Georgetown to fuel the trucks that are expected to consume approximately 380,000 GGEs each year.

Ryder has made sustainability a priority and has been a leader in expanding its offering of advanced vehicle technologies. Toyota has also rapidly expanded into alternative fuels and has encouraged its third-party carriers to move its goods in a more sustainable way. LNG produces less emissions than diesel.

“At Ryder, we have the opportunity and ability to continually reduce the environmental impacts of our operations and those of the customers we serve,” said Chris Nordh Sr. Director – Advanced Vehicle Technologies & Energy Products at Ryder. “LNG as a transportation fuel helps us reduce our vehicle emissions, and we’re happy to partner with Clean Energy to continue our dedication to sustainability solutions.”

 

Atlanta Gas Light Assists City of Augusta with Opening Second CNG Station

November 22, 2017

Atlanta Gas Light and the City of Augusta have collaborated to open a second publicly accessible CNG fueling station in Augusta, Georgia. The station will serve as a second fueling site for CNG refuse trucks providing waste collection services for the City of Augusta. The station is also open to other fleets and privately-owned CNG vehicles in the area and that travel on the nearby interstate. The station features two, two-hose dispensers and can accommodate all size of vehicles, including Class 8 trucks.

The station was developed for the City by SCI Construction with Atlanta Gas Light as the primary CNG subcontractor. The City selected CNG equipment from ANGI Energy Systems and Atlantic Coast Consulting was the engineering firm on the project.

“Atlanta Gas Light applauds the City of Augusta’s latest achievement in transitioning its fleet to clean, safe, reliable, affordable natural gas,” said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light. “We are proud to support the City on this important initiative.”

The first City-owned public CNG fueling station, located on U.S. Highway 1, opened in 2013.

 

New CNG Rental Car Shuttle Buses Debut at BWI Marshall Airport

November 23, 2017

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has placed the first of 20 new CNG-powered buses into service that provide transportation between the passenger terminal and the airport’s consolidated rental car facility. The 60-foot, articulated natural gas buses will provide around-the-clock service at BWI Marshall Airport.

The new buses, which are manufactured by New Flyer of America, offer many customer service amenities and provide about a 50 percent increase in capacity over the older rental car shuttle fleet.

In December 2016, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved the contract to procure the 20 buses. The $15 million purchase is funded through the Customer Facility Charge (CFC) fee on airport rental car transactions.

About half of the new buses will be in service this week. The remaining buses will be delivered to the airport and put into service before the end of the year. The new buses will replace a fleet of 40-foot, transit-style rental car shuttle buses that were manufactured in 2004.

 

California Transit Authority Expands Low-Emission Fleet with CNG Buses

November 22, 2017

New Flyer announced that the Golden Empire Transit District (GET bus) in California has awarded New Flyer with a contract for 24 Xcelsior CNG-powered forty-foot, heavy duty transit buses. The new order supports aged fleet replacement and the GET bus focus on environmental sustainability.

“We are proud to help advance GET bus in its pursuit of fleet revitalization and environmental sustainability,” said Wayne Joseph, President, New Flyer of America. “As transit districts in California strive to reduce their carbon footprint, New Flyer will work alongside to provide public transportation that connects cities, delivers low and no emission solutions, and improves quality of life for surrounding communities.”

Golden Empire Transit District is the operator of mass transportation in Bakersfield, California, delivering over seven million rides per year. The NFI Group has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing zero-emission buses (ZEBs).

 

Landi Renzo and Clean Energy Combine Compressor Businesses

November 27, 2017

Landi Renzo and Clean Energy Fuels are combining their compressor manufacturing subsidiaries to form a new standalone company that will become one of the leading global suppliers of natural gas compressors and other related products. Landi Renzo’s SAFE, with a strong presence in Europe and Asia, and Clean Energy Compression, which is well established in the North and South America markets, will combine manufacturing and support operations and equip an international sales team with an expanded line of compressors.

Upon closing, which is anticipated before the end of the year, Landi Renzo will own 51 percent of the new company and take over operational management, while Clean Energy will retain a 49 percent ownership. Andrew J. Littlefair, President and CEO of Clean Energy, will serve as the chairman of the board. The combined company will be headquartered in San Giovanni Persiceto (BO), Italy and retain Clean Energy’s manufacturing operation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

“The world is rapidly waking up to the harmful impact that diesel is having on air quality,” said Cristiano Musi, who is currently Group CEO of Landi Renzo and will also be the CEO of the new company. “Natural gas is an obvious alternative for vehicles because it burns much cleaner, is plentiful around the world and there is a growing engine portfolio to choose from. This newly formed compressor company will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of the trend towards natural gas with a global footprint and a great product offering.”

The new company will be able to take advantage of its global positioning, product offering and market penetration required to meet the growing demand of transportation fleets that seek solutions to replace diesel. Strict environmental policies are being adopted around the world to address air quality problems caused by polluting NOx emissions. Improved natural gas engine technology and a more abundant supply of renewable natural gas (RNG) allows some large vehicles to reduce their emissions by 90 percent and cut climate-changing greenhouse gases by 70 percent versus diesel.

The combination of SAFE and Clean Energy Compression will allow the new company to automatically achieve leading positions in Europe and North American and lay the foundation to accelerate growth in new geographies of the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

 

IVECO to Deliver a Further 250 Natural Gas Trucks to Jacky Perrenot Group

November 24, 2017

Jacky Perrenot Group, one of the leading European transport logistics operators, has signed a new long-term partnership with IVECO for 250 Stralis NP (Natural Power) 460. This builds upon previous orders for IVECO natural gas trucks, including one placed in June 2016 for 250 Stralis NP 400.

With a commercial relationship spanning some 40 years, the two companies are aiming for a target fleet of 1,000 natural gas trucks by 2020. This latest order foresees 550 IVECO natural gas trucks within the transport operator’s fleet by the end of 2018.

The new Stralis NP 460 is fitted with the IVECO Cursor 13 NP engineered by CNH Industrial’s powertrain brand FPT Industrial, which is protected by two patents. This proprietary technology delivers a 99 percent reduction in Particulate Matter, a 60 percent reduction of Nitrogen Oxides and a volume level of less than 71 decibels, in comparison with the current Euro VI limits. In terms of autonomy, the truck’s double LNG tank version ensures a record range of up to nearly 1,000 miles.

 

Eight Energy Companies Commit to Reduce Methane Emissions Worldwide

November 22, 2017

BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Repsol, Shell, Statoil, Total and Wintershall committed to further reduce methane emissions from the natural gas assets they operate around the world. The energy companies also agreed to encourage others across the natural gas value chain – from production to the final consumer – to do the same.

The commitment was made as part of wider efforts by the global energy industry to ensure that natural gas continues to play a critical role in helping meet future energy demand while addressing climate change. Since natural gas consists mainly of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, its role in the transition to a low-carbon future will be influenced by the extent to which methane emissions are reduced.

The eight energy companies signed a Guiding Principles document, which focuses on: continually reducing methane emissions; advancing strong performance across gas value chains; improving accuracy of methane emissions data; advocating sound policies and regulations on methane emissions; and increasing transparency.

“Numerous studies have shown the importance of quickly reducing methane emissions if we’re to meet growing energy demand and multiple environmental goals,” said Mark Radka, Head of UN Environment’s Energy and Climate Branch. “The Guiding Principles provide an excellent framework for doing so across the entire natural gas value chain, particularly if they’re linked to reporting on the emissions reductions achieved.”

The Guiding Principles were developed in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Gas Union, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative Climate Investments, the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Sustainable Gas Institute, The Energy and Resources Institute, and United Nations Environment.

 

UK Celebrates Launch of First LNG Ferry

November 21, 2017

The UK’s first LNG passenger ferry was launched on the Clyde by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The 335-foot, roll-on/roll-off vehicle passenger ferry, named MV Glen Sannox, can operate on LNG and marine fuel to help reduce emissions to meet ambitious Scottish Government targets.

The innovative dual fuel vessel was launched at Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited’s (FMEL) Port Glasgow shipyard and is the first of two LNG ferries being built as part of a $129 million contract on behalf of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).

“These state of the art ferries are more sustainable, therefore contributing to Scotland’s world-leading climate change goals,” said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said. “They are also capable of carrying more vehicles and benefiting the communities that rely on them.”

MV Glen Sannox is designed to carry 127 cars or 16 HGVs or a combination of both and up to 1,000 passengers. The vessel is due to be delivered in the Winter 2018-2019.