NGVAmerica News Week in Review: September 21, 2015

• 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo Resounding Success!
• NGVAmerica Honors Recipients of the 2015 NGV Achievement Award
• S. DOE to Invest Nearly $55 Million in Clean Vehicle Technologies
• New Partnership to Reduce Emissions in Mobile Natural Gas Fueled Engines
• TD Industries Launches CNG Pilot Program
• S. Gain Partners with TIMCO CNG in California
• VNG Selected by Colorado Grant Program for CNG Station
• Amerit Fleet Solutions Opens CNG Service Garage in St. Louis
• Luxfer G-StorComposite Cylinders Selected by McNeilus for Refuse Trucks
• Quantum Showcases Q-Cab CNG Modules at 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo
• Penske Introduces Alternative Fuel Station Finder Website
• New LNG Rack Price Program Started in Texas

 

2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo Resounding Success!

September 21, 2015

The 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo hosted by NGVAmerica and held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, September 15 – 17 was a well-attended, successful event. Nearly 900 attendees came to see over 80 exhibitors on a sold-out 90,000 sq. ft. expo floor and to participate in the comprehensive conference schedule.

This year’s program highlights:

• 13 informative breakout sessions
• Eight hours of engaging plenary sessions
• A sold-out 90,000 sq. ft. expo hall with 80 exhibitors, plus a Ride & Drive
• Two local tours that included the Denver International Airport
• ARPA-E pre-conference meeting on Monday
• Presentation of the 23^rd annual NGV Achievement Awards
• Networking reception Wednesday sponsored by Hexagon Lincoln
• Industry golf outing on Monday

More than 60 speakers, presenters and panelists shared their experiences, tips and expertise. During Tuesday’s Plenary Session, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, who received an NGV Public Policy Champion Award at this year’s event, gave his strong endorsement and bright outlook for the continued growth of the NGV industry.

The 90,000 sq. ft. sold-out expo floor featured 15 vehicles from across the spectrum from sedans to work trucks to Class 8 tractors. Thanks to all of our sponsors for their generous support, which allowed for the best networking events in the industry, including continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, lunches and a wonderful reception.

A number of conference materials will be made available to registrants in the coming days and weeks, including all of the PowerPoint presentations and photos taken throughout the event.

 

NGVAmerica Honors Recipients of the 2015 NGV Achievement Award

September 15, 2015

NGVAmerica held an awards ceremony to honor the recipients of the 2015 NGV Achievement Awards on Tuesday, September 15 as part of the 2015 North American NGV Conference & Expo being held Sep. 15–17 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The presentation of the 2015 NGV Achievement Awards took place at a luncheon hosted by NGVAmerica where hundreds of natural gas industry leaders gathered from across the U.S. to honor this year’s award winners.

The NGV Achievement Awards recognize national innovators and early adopters for their outstanding leadership, vision and innovation to advance natural gas as a transportation fuel. Every year, NGVAmerica members submit nominations recognizing their customers, partners and industry advocates for their contributions to further grow the NGV industry. Award winners are then selected by NGVAmerica after a thorough review of members’ submissions.

The recipients of the 2015 NGV Achievement Awards:

• Governor John Hickenlooper — NGV Public Policy Champion
• Joanna D. Underwood — Lifetime Achievement Award
• Bimbo Bakeries USA — Natural Gas Fleet Program
• City of Grand Junction, CO — RNG – CNG Fleet & Station Program
• Core-Mark International — Exemplary NGV Fleet Program
• Douglas B. Horne — Lifetime Achievement Award
• John B. Dimmick — Lifetime Achievement Award
• Senator Michael F. Bennet — NGV Public Policy Champion
• Matera Paper Company — Natural Gas Fleet Program
• Neapolitan Express — Innovative NGV Application
• Barry P. Carr — 23 Years of Exemplary NGV Industry Leadership
• Proctor & Gamble — NGV Fleet & Station Program
• Senator Wilton Simpson — NGV Public Policy Champion
• Raven Transport, Inc. — LNG Fleet Program
• Clean Energy Fuels Corp. – Redeem — Innovative RNG Leadership
• Rush Enterprises, Inc. — Outstanding NGV Market Development Leadership

The awards were presented by NGVAmerica President Matthew Godlewski. The recipients of the 23^rd Annual NGV Achievement Awards are now part of a select group of leaders whose hard work has been most impactful to advancing the NGV industry.

 

U.S. DOE to Invest Nearly $55 Million in Clean Vehicle Technologies

September 20, 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will invest nearly $55 million for 24 projects to develop and deploy clean vehicle technologies. DOE says these technologies will play a key role in increasing fuel efficiency and reducing petroleum consumption. Although most of the funding is going toward EV technology to support the “EV Everywhere Grand Challenge,” funding has also been awarded to projects to advance natural gas engines.

Eight projects are aimed at improvements including developing and demonstrating dual-fuel or dedicated natural gas engine technologies for high-efficiency medium and heavy duty vehicles to reduce petroleum usage and developing advanced computational fluid dynamics models. These projects include $1,756,225 awarded to Robert Bosch in Farmington Hills, Michigan, to develop and demonstrate a high-efficiency spark-ignited natural gas engine and develop a hybrid three-way catalyst (TWC)-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) exhaust after-treatment system to maximize engine efficiency at a significantly lower cost than competing, diesel-based, dual-fuel approaches.

Building on the SuperTruck activity, other projects aim at developing enabling technologies to improve the efficiency of heavy duty trucks. Many of these projects, which include advanced light-weight materials, will also benefit natural gas vehicles by further improving their efficiency and fuel economy.

“The deployment of these technologies will give Americans more options when they are choosing a vehicle, while also creating jobs and cutting harmful carbon emissions,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.

 

New Partnership to Reduce Emissions in Mobile Natural Gas Fueled Engines

September 16, 2015

Enerpulse Technologies has begun development of its C2 ignition system funded in part by a $749,868 grant awarded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) with Enerpulse named as prime-subcontractor. According to the CEC “ignition characteristics of natural gas fuel represent challenges to engine manufacturers working to satisfy tighter emission standards, achieve lower fuel consumption and higher engine performance.” The CEC’s stated goal is to “advance the functionality of natural gas ignition under high boost pressure and heavy EGR conditions to facilitate the development of engines with lower nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”

C2 will build upon Enerpulse’s patented plasma-assisted combustion technology, which is currently found in its commercially available Pulstar spark plugs. Enerpulse will integrate proprietary electronic controls creating a system that increases the size and duration of the plasma field during ignition and combustion. This strategy will enable reliable ignition timing and more efficient combustion of natural gas fuels, particularly under high boost and heavy EGR conditions.

Enerpulse is partnering with Power Solutions International to deliver a commercially viable natural gas fueled power plant that meets the CEC’s stated objectives. Enerpulse’s C2 ignition system will be incorporated into PSI’s turbocharged 8.8-litre CNG engine, which is currently under development. In addition to turbocharging, PSI’s new engine will employ substantial amounts of cooled EGR to reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption. Introducing substantial amounts of cooled EGR presents significant challenges to conventional ignition systems in natural gas fueled engines, which will be addressed by C2.

 

TD Industries Launches CNG Pilot Program

September 16, 2015

TDIndustries (TD) announced the launch of a CNG pilot program in an effort to cut operating costs, improve air quality, increase efficiency and use the natural gas resources in Texas. This initiative will utilize CNG powered vehicles to perform daily Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) service operations. TD is an environmentally conscientious construction company with an operating fleet of 394 service vans in the Southwest.

The pilot program, began with the conversion of two Ford E350 service vans in their Fort Worth office, equip with CNG conversion. This pilot program will guide TD in determining the feasibility of natural gas vehicles, the availability of CNG fueling stations and how a fleet powered by natural gas can meet their operational needs. Conversion of vehicles to CNG were performed by NGV Texas, a Dallas-based company, specializing in CNG and LNG technologies out of their 65,000 sq. ft. conversion facility.

 

U.S. Gain Partners with TIMCO CNG in California

September 17, 2015

U.S. Gain is partnering with TIMCO CNG to add the GAIN Clean Fuel CNG brand to both of TIMCO CNG’s locations in California. One station is located in Santa Ana and the other is in Inglewood, near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at the intersection of I-405 and I-105. With the agreement, GAIN Clean Fuel pumps will be added and the locations will be co-branded.

TIMCO opened the Santa Ana location in April 2014 and the Inglewood location in July 2015. The stations provide CNG for the shuttle providers that service parking, hotels, taxis, and local municipal and California state agencies that operate in the vicinity of LAX. With the addition of GAIN Clean Fuel, the sites will be added U.S. GAIN’s international network of GAIN stations.

This will be the second and third GAIN Clean Fuel stations in California. The first opened in Madera, California in 2014.

 

VNG Selected by Colorado Grant Program for CNG Station

September 16, 2015

VNG was recently awarded a grant by the Colorado Energy Office, in partnership with the Regional Air Quality Council and the Colorado Department of Transportation to build a fast-fill CNG fueling facility in Denver, Colorado. This award is the most recent example of state public-private collaboration involving VNG to encourage the nationwide use of CNG as a mainstream transportation fuel. The Denver station will be co-located within a major oil branded gasoline station featuring a convenience store.

“This grant is aligned with our model of offering fast-fill CNG fueling within traditional gasoline stations to support the development of the natural gas vehicle market for light-duty fleet and consumer drivers,” said Robert Friedman, Chief Operating Officer of VNG.

Proceeding with its nationwide expansion, which includes locations in large metropolitan markets such as Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia and Milwaukee, VNG’s CNG facilities offer fill times comparable to gasoline and all of the amenities drivers are accustomed to when purchasing fuel, including a full-service convenience store and clean restrooms.

 

Amerit Fleet Solutions Opens CNG Service Garage in St. Louis

September 14, 2015

Amerit Fleet Solutions, an operator of 550 locations employing over 1,400 technicians, has opened a new CNG maintenance and repair facility in St. Louis, Missouri. In compliance with CNG regulations, the St. Louis garage has been upfitted with extensive safety, monitoring, ventilation and security systems. This five-bay Fleet Service Center is a private facility for commercial fleets, focused on providing comprehensive maintenance and repair services for class 7 and 8 CNG and diesel fleets.

“We are very pleased to be opening this Fleet Service Center,” said Dan Williams, CEO, Amerit Fleet Solutions. “Not only does it demonstrate our expertise in servicing alternative fuel vehicles but it also shows our commitment to supporting our clients’ operational and environmental initiatives.”

For more information on Amerit Fleet Solutions, visit www.ameritfleetsolutions.com.

 

Luxfer G-Stor Composite Cylinders Selected by McNeilus for Refuse Trucks

September 16, 2015

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, a leading U.S. manufacturer of concrete mixer and refuse truck bodies, has announced that it will exclusively use Luxfer G-Stor Go Type 4 and G-Stor Pro Type 3 carbon composite cylinders for its new NGEN Tailgate CNG system for refuse trucks.

Available in 60, 75, 90 and 105 DGE capacities, the NGEN Tailgate system uses a streamlined design fewer fitting connections and plumbing components. Two to four Luxfer cylinders are placed at the rear-end of the truck instead of on top, which reduces the overall height of the vehicle, eliminates the risk of tree branch or bridge impact to the system and offsets the weight of the front axle. A pressure-relief device (PRD) system spans the full length of the cylinders and provides continuous heat protection.

“The tailgate system offers another lightweight option for refuse vehicles looking to utilize CNG for reducing fuel costs,” said Grant Wildgrube, senior project engineer at McNeilus. “It offers weight savings from the cylinders, and is easier to use and access.”

McNeilus Strike Protection, a sturdy steel covering, shields key CNG components. The system also features a unique pivoting structure that allows cylinders to be easily shifted, permitting more thorough inspections. Hydraulic tailgate props, designed for easier deployment and visibility from the cab, do not block access between the tailgate and truck body. The 60 DGE model uses two 22 x 86 in. G-Stor Go tanks, and capacity can be easily increased up to 105 DGE.

 

Penske Introduces Alternative Fuel Station Finder Website

September 11, 2015

Penske Truck Leasing has created a website, www.AltFuelStations.com, to assist the transportation industry with identifying publicly accessible fueling stations for heavy-duty alternative fueled vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The stations listed can provide trucks with either CNG or LNG fuel.

“We created this tool to assist fleets in finding natural gas fueling options that we were certain would work for their operations,” explained Dean Stapleton, Penske alternative fuels manager. “We had already created this resource internally to assist Penske customers, and we thought it best to now make it available to all fleets.”

When locating stations by address, zip code or via smartphone GPS, visitors are provided with:

• Name of station
• Address
• Hours of operation
• Contact information
• Accepted payment methods
• Map to location

The site will be updated monthly.

 

New LNG Rack Price Program Started in Texas

September 15, 2015

IPC, Inc. has announced the launch of its Monthly LNG Rack Pricing through its website at www.ipcusa.com.  The Monthly LNG Rack Pricing offering will be shared as if IPC offers Diesel Rack Pricing to its current diesel fuel buyers.  This will provide the ability for organizations to make informed decisions on LNG fuel purchases based on the most up-to-the-minute pricing.  Furthermore, the Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) price will be listed alongside the gallon price for LNG.  IPC desires to develop a database where instant notifications are available to all customers and prospects when LNG prices change based on market conditions.

• September 2015 LNG Rack Price (George West, Texas)
• $0.667 per LNG gallon / $1.12 per DGE

IPC is providing LNG for the Texas market for both on-road and high horsepower applications.  IPC is focused on asphalt, oil and gas exploration, mining, agriculture and other off-road applications to reduce fuel costs and comply with environmental regulations.

For more information, visit www.usipc.com.