NGVAmerica News Week in Review: October 19, 2015

• Albuquerque Awards New Flyer Contract for up to 83 CNG Buses
• American Power Group Earns New EPA Certifications
• AGA Systems Develops Bi-Fuel CNG Systems with Pi Innovo
• amp Trillium Opens Second CNG Station in Jacksonville, Florida
• American Natural Gas Constructing Public CNG Station in New York
• ANGI Energy Systems Reports Steady CNG Station Growth
• Clean Fuels Ohio Launches the Midwest DRIVES Initiative
• Xpress Natural Gas CNG Facility Coming to Washington State
• Ryder Receives Heavy Duty Trucking Sustainability Award
• World’s First LNG-Powered Containership Deliveredto TOTE

Albuquerque Awards New Flyer Contract for up to 83 CNG Buses
October 13, 2015

New Flyer of America has been awarded a contract by ABQ RIDE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for up to 83 heavy-duty 40-foot Xcelsior CNG buses. The contract, valued at approximately $44 million, is a firm order for 20 XN40 buses, with options for an additional 63 XN40 buses over five years. ABQ has approximately 230 buses in its fleet, 135 of which have been built by New Flyer since 2004. This contract will be ABQ’s second order of the CNG-powered Xcelsior model.

“We are pleased to be chosen once again to build Xcelsior buses for ABQ RIDE,” said Paul Soubry, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Flyer. “This is a transit company that strives to keep their fleet current and efficient, and is committed to providing the best service possible to its ridership”

American Power Group Earns New EPA Certifications
October 13, 2015

American Power Group has received notification from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that its recent Clean Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Engine Conversion Submission has been approved for the Cummins ISX 14.9L 2013 to 2005 Intermediate Useful Life (IUL) engines. The submission used APG’s V5000 Dual Fuel Turbocharged Natural Gas technology to meet EPA’s emissions criteria.

Thirteen Cummins ISX 14.9L engine families became APG’s fourth IUL approval covering Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) engine technology which meets or exceeds the current 2010 EPA OEM certified engine emission standards. APG now has 487 OUL and IUL approvals covering six OEM engine platforms including 31 IUL approvals for 2013–2010 OEM engine families with SCR engine technology.

“We have identified over 20,000 registered Cummins ISX15 owners representing approximately 100,000 trucks for engine production years 2013–2010,” said Lyle Jensen, American Power Group Corporation’s President and CEO.

AGA Systems Develops Bi-Fuel CNG Systems with Pi Innovo
October 16, 2015

AGA Systems of Kaysville, Utah, in collaboration with Pi Innovo, a design and development company of electronic systems, has launched a new bi-fuel system diagnostic interface module. AGA Systems’ new bi-fuel system diagnostic module is based on Pi Innovo’s OpenECU M220 control module, which gives AGA Systems the ability to develop its own software and unique control methodologies with an electronic module for low to medium volume commercial and automotive applications. AGA Systems has achieved EPA certification for its bi-fuel system for General Motors light duty truck and SUV platforms, which operates seamlessly with the original manufacturer’s engine control system. The new bi-fuel system diagnostic module monitors driver inputs and vehicle conditions, and allows seamless switching between gasoline and CNG.

amp Trillium Opens Second CNG Station in Jacksonville, Florida
October 14, 2015

amp Trillium, the joint venture between ampCNG and Trillium CNG, has opened a public-access CNG station in northern Jacksonville, Florida. The station is now open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all CNG vehicles, including Class 8 trucks. To celebrate the station opening, a ceremony, tour of the station and fueling demonstration was held in partnership with the Florida Energy Summit, which is taking place in Jacksonville this year. The station features Trillium CNG’s proprietary fast-fill hydraulic intensifier compressor (HY-C), allowing three Class 8 trucks to fuel simultaneously at 10 DGE per minute.

Now with two stations strategically located north and south of the city, CNG trucks can now travel in either direction without needing to stray from their designated routes to refuel, saving valuable time and money. amp Trillium now operates 24 CNG station across the country and will open several more to create a wide-reaching network of CNG refueling stations along trucking corridors throughout the U.S.

American Natural Gas Constructing Public CNG Station in New York
October 13, 2015

American Natural Gas (ANG), a distributor of alternative motor fuels, is building a public CNG station near Rochester, New York. The facility will be located off I-390 at Exit 19, in close proximity to regional distributors and the Greater Rochester International Airport.

This is the second major CNG station announced by ANG in the past month. In September, ANG unveiled Tops Friendly Markets’ fueling station as the grocery retailer committed to converting its entire distribution fleet from diesel to CNG.

“Return-to-base operations, such as those employed by grocery stores, are particularly good candidates for converting to CNG,” said Drew West, CEO of ANG. “We’ve heard the demand from these fleets and others, including regional long haul and public transportation companies, and are excited to make this alternative fuel more accessible for Rochester businesses.”

ANG selected 400 HP Cobey Energy compressors with two points of temperature compensation with a Xebec dryer. The station will feature three fueling lanes and Bennett CRIND dispensers equipped with NGV1 heavy-duty truck/bus nozzles to accommodate Class 8 (WB-67) semi tractor-trailers. The heavy duty station will be able to support high capacity fast fueling for large volume users.

The station will be constructed on an ANG-owned parcel, and the company will own, operate, and maintain the facility. Construction is set to begin this November and ANG anticipates a spring 2016 opening.

ANGI Energy Systems Reports Steady CNG Station Growth
October 12, 2015

ANGI Energy Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gilbarco Veeder-Root, says within the company’s commercial fuel customer base, multiple retail fuel providers are slated to open public fast-fill CNG stations in the fourth quarter of 2015.

“In the United States, direct CNG infrastructure development has remained active despite the current volatility in oil prices,” says Jared Hightower, Vice President of Sales for ANGI. “In addition to the environmental and energy security advantages, many fleets still recognize that the price stability of compressed natural gas offers dividends well beyond next quarter.”

In the Southern corridor, OnCue Express, a chain of more than 50 convenience stores and truck stops located throughout Oklahoma, has made a significant, long-term commitment to offer fast-fill CNG fueling at strategically located stations in this region. They currently have 18 CNG locations, and will soon be adding two additional stations, the OnCue Express Truck Stop on I-35 at the Billings exit and the new OnCue Express Convenience Store at I-240 and Sooner Rd. in Oklahoma City.

On the Eastern seaboard, Sunoco commissioned ANGI equipment and successfully reopened its Sunoco APlus fueling station and convenience store at the Pittsburgh International Airport. In addition to this location, Sunoco integrated CNG into their New Stanton Travel Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. They are currently in the process of installing a third CNG station in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania off I-79, exit 43 on PA-519 South.

Wawa, one of the largest convenience store and retail fueling chains in the Mid-Atlantic region, has partnered with South Jersey Gas to introduce CNG to the Wawa network. Their first joint project fast-fill station will soon come online at I-295 in Paulsboro, New Jersey.

Clean Fuels Ohio Launches the Midwest DRIVES Initiative
October 16, 2015

Clean Fuels Ohio, in collaboration with numerous partners, has launched “The Midwest DRIVES Initiative,” in response to AOI 1 of the US DOE EERE’s “Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment Initiatives” funding opportunity. The Midwest DRIVES Initiative represents a comprehensive fleet vehicle demonstration and education program designed to specifically address barriers to alternative fuel vehicle deployment. The Midwest DRIVES Initiative is designed to reduce AFV deployment barriers by:

• Offering a wide range of medium-term (30–90 day average) AFV demonstrations in order for fleets to gain operational experience and data that provide validation for AFV purchases.
• Performing analysis and creating case studies based on each demonstration that reveal cost- and fuel-saving opportunities relative to conventional vehicle models.
• Presenting fleet education and outreach programing centered on case studies created from successful demonstrations so similar fleets across the nation can gain confidence for AFV adoption.
• Offering informational resources on financial incentives and leasing models to ease capital acquisition costs for fleet AFV purchases.

The natural gas vehicles featured in the program include:

More information about the Midwest DRIVES Initiative will be available at the upcoming Midwest Green Fleets Forum.  To learn how to enroll in the program, contact Program Director Andrew Conley at 614.884.7336.

Xpress Natural Gas CNG Facility Coming to Washington State
October 16, 2015

Xpress Natural Gas (XNG) has signed an agreement with the Port of Grays Harbor Commissioners to construct a $3 million CNG facility at the Satsop Business Park on the coast of Washington state. The ten-year lease is for 4.3 acres that XNG will use to construct a “virtual pipeline” CNG distribution terminal in the West Park area that will utilize the existing natural gas line to fill portable tubes for transport to industrial customers throughout the region.

An additional $2 million would be invested in the fleet of CNG trucks and trailers that will service XNG’s customers. The operation will be manned 24 hours per day and XNG expects to employ 20–25 employees at full build out, in addition to the construction and trucking service jobs that would be generated.

XNG also operates similar facilities in Maine and New York that provide trucked natural gas solutions to locations where a pipeline does not provide gas service.  XNG operates the largest fleet of high-capacity, all-composite CNG trailers in North America and is the only provider of CNG services using CNG-powered tractor-trucks.

Ryder Receives Heavy Duty Trucking Sustainability Award
October 16, 2015

Ryder has received the Heavy Duty Trucking Sustainability Award at the 2015 Fleet Technology Expo in Long Beach, California, for its commitment to environmental initiatives in transportation and supply chain sustainability.

The Fleet Technology Expo is a new event that is an expanded and revamped version of the Green Fleet Conference & Expo, put on by Bobit Business Media. During the event, Ryder was recognized for its significant contributions to environmental sustainability and fleet efficiencies in the heavy-duty industries.

“This latest recognition reinforces Ryder’s ongoing commitment to assist companies that seek to reduce fuel costs, lower carbon output, and meet their environmental objectives,” said Scott Perry, Ryder Vice President of Supply Management and Global Fuel Products. “Ryder plays an important role in advancing the environmental sustainability of commercial transportation and logistics.”

Ryder is the leader in natural gas vehicle solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 40 million miles of experience, 18 NGV maintenance facilities, and more than 4,000 NGV trained maintenance and service employees. In addition to making natural gas vehicles available for rent or lease, Ryder’s exclusive “Flex-to-Green Lease” solution is designed to encourage and ease the transition to a greener fleet.

World’s First LNG-Powered Containership Delivered to TOTE
October 16, 2015

General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the world’s first LNG powered containership, the Isla Bella, to TOTE Maritime. The ship was delivered nearly two months ahead of schedule and is part of a two-ship contract signed in December 2012 with TOTE.

The 764-foot long Marlin Class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships powered by LNG, making them the cleanest cargo-carrying ships anywhere in the world. The LNG ship technology will decrease emissions and increase fuel efficiency when compared to conventionally-powered ships.

“Successfully building and delivering the world’s first LNG-powered containership here in the United States for coastwise service demonstrates that commercial shipbuilders, and owners and operators, are leading the world in the introduction of cutting-edge, green technology in support of the Jones Act,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.

TOTE, NASSCO, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the U.S. Coast Guard worked hand-in-hand from the beginning of the project to the delivery of the Isla Bella. This included collaboration during the design approval, construction and commissioning the ship to safely and effectively operate on natural gas. The Jones Act-qualified ships will operate between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.