NGVAmerica News Week in Review: May 2, 2016
- City of Atlanta Opens CNG Fueling Stations to Support Fleet Expansion
- VW’s Diesel Emission Problem Requires a Big Rig Solution
- Republic Expands CNG Fleet in Northern California
- TruStar Energy Opens Public CNG Fueling Station in Fort Myers
- Onboard Dynamics Secures $3 Million in Funding from ARPA-E and Strategic Partners
- IMPCO Automotive Receives CARB and EPA Approval for Chevrolet and GMC Vans
- Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition Celebrates CNG Station Opening
- S. Gain Partners with City of Hamilton to Expand CNG Services in Ohio
- Cenergy Solutions to Debut Worlds First Adsorbed Natural Gas Passenger Car
- NGV Research Presented at Ontario Energy Association’s Speaker Series
- California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition Names Thomas Lawson as New President
- Shell to Supply LNG Fuel to AIDA Cruises
- Stena Signs Contract for Four New LNG-Ready RoPax Ferries
City of Atlanta Opens CNG Fueling Stations to Support Fleet Expansion
April 29, 2016
In Atlanta, Georgia, City officials and NGV industry advocates cut the ribbon on a new CNG fueling station at the Solid Waste Lakewood Facility. The fueling station in Southwest Atlanta is one of two new CNG facilities now in operation in the city.
The Lakewood station and another station at the Maddox Park Solid Waste Facility will support the Department of Public Works in its goal to transition the city’s entire fleet of solid waste collection vehicles from diesel fuel to CNG fuel.
“The City of Atlanta is committed to protecting the environment by incorporating sustainable practices in city operations,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Cutting the ribbon on this important new facility promotes cleaner air and reduced fuel consumption by our municipal fleet, and supports our goal to become a top tier city for sustainability in the U.S.”
The 20 trash collection vehicles that will initially use the stations will serve as many as 96,000 residents per week. After refueling at one of the two CNG stations overnight, the trucks will be able to complete their routes each day without needing to refuel.
“We are proud of the new CNG vehicle program,” said Commissioner Mendoza. “By installing and maintaining our own, cleaner-burning CNG fueling stations, the City of Atlanta will see immediate fuel cost savings by as much as 50 percent and a reduction in carbon emissions by 13-21 percent.”
Construction of the CNG facilities was conducted by Atlanta Gas Light Company and funded by a $2.5 million share of the Georgia Public Service Commission’s $11.6 million program to develop CNG stations in Georgia. Each station includes CNG equipment to time-fill up to 30 collections vehicles at each site overnight as well as a two-hose fast-fill dispenser for topping off the collections vehicles and fueling other CNG vehicles.
VW’s Diesel Emission Problem Requires a Big Rig Solution
By Matthew Godlewski, NGVAmerica President
April 28, 2016
In the coming weeks the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency are likely to announce a settlement with Volkswagen in the case of the automaker’s emissions scandal. The resolution of this matter will include one of the largest financial penalties ever agreed to by a car manufacturer. While Volkswagen will pay a significant fine, U.S. regulators will also likely require that a large portion of the company’s penalty fund mitigation projects that offset the thousands of tons of harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution emitted by the automaker’s non-compliant diesel vehicles. This part of the case is best solved through an unconventional solution—modernizing a portion of America’s long-haul transportation fleet through the deployment of heavy-duty trucks powered by the latest clean natural gas engine technology…
To view the full op-ed, written by NGVAmerica President Matt Godlewski and published by The Hill, a widely read publication among congressional, department, and regulatory agency staff, click here.
Republic Expands CNG Fleet in Northern California
April 18, 2016
Republic Services has added 40 CNG solid waste collection trucks serving customers in Central Contra Costa County, California. The new CNG trucks replace older diesel-powered collection trucks, and bring the total number of NGVs operated by Republic in Contra Costa County to 123.
“This expansion embodies the responsibility we assume, as a large vocational fleet operator, to do our part to preserve the natural beauty of Northern California for future generations,” said Mike Caprio, area president of Republic Services. “It also represents a company-wide effort to reduce carbon emissions whenever possible.”
In Central Contra Costa County, Republic serves approximately 125,000 residential and 6,000 commercial customers in the communities of Antioch, Benicia, Clayton, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. Republic operates six landfills, four transfer stations, and two recycling centers in the area, as well as numerous CNG fueling stations to support its expanding Northern California-based fleet.
Nationwide, Republic Services operates a fleet of approximately 2,500 CNG vehicles and 38 natural gas fueling stations. Republic’s CNG-powered fleet helps to save roughly 18 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. Approximately one-third of all replacement vehicles purchased by Republic last year were CNG-powered vehicles.
In 2015, Republic Services was among the top companies recognized by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to measuring and disclosing environmental information, in the 2015 CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report.
TruStar Energy Opens SW Florida’s First Public CNG Fueling Station in Fort Myers
April 28, 2016
TruStar Energy has opened a company-owned public CNG fueling station in Fort Myers, Florida.
Conveniently located near I-75, the fast-fill station is capable of fueling several hundred vehicles a day. In addition to support vehicles in the Fort Myers area, the station also serves as a midpoint between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale for fleets travelling the I-75 corridor.
“Florida already has a high volume of CNG vehicles on the road today, and even with low diesel prices, we continue to see more fleets switching to CNG from diesel,” saidAdam Comora, President of TruStar Energy. “Close to several major fleets, as well as a heavy traffic corridor, our new Fort Myers station will be a valuable and productive resource for businesses in the area.”
Last year, TruStar Energy embarked on an accelerated strategy to open company-owned public CNG stations along high-traffic U.S. corridors. The company opened TruStar Energy-owned public fueling stations in Orlando, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Houston, Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana.
Designed for future expansion and to provide easy access for commercial fleets, the new Fort Myers TruStar Energy CNG station has four traffic lanes and two dual-hose fast-fill fueling pumps. The station accepts commercial fuel cards, as well as all major credit cards.
Able to dispense 11.6 GGE per minute of fuel, the station currently includes two Ariel JGQ300—250 HP compressors, each generating 736 scfm of gas; one PBS dryer and two ANGI fast-fill dispensers.
Onboard Dynamics Secures $3 Million in Funding from ARPA-E and Strategic Partners
April 26, 2016
Onboard Dynamics, an innovator in CNG refueling, has received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), Portland Seed Fund, NW Natural and other utilities, and private investors.
“This additional funding commitment puts Onboard Dynamics on track to become a financially sustainable provider of affordable CNG refueling solutions,” said Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “Over the next 18 months we will complete development, testing and market introduction of our first products.”
Onboard Dynamics is currently pursuing two CNG refueling solutions, based on novel technology for both on and off vehicle applications. These include a fully integrated onboard engine-compressor system, and a standalone, mobile, self-powered compressor system.
Onboard Dynamics’ technology uses the automotive engine’s own power to compress natural gas during the refueling process, which would open up the existing natural gas distribution system to CNG vehicles.
“Not only would their technology make natural gas more economically feasible for fleet vehicles, but it would help reduce transportation-related air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jim Huston, managing director of Portland Seed Fund.
Onboard Dynamics previously received funding support from ARPA-E, ONAMI, Oregon BEST, Oregon State University, and the Portland Seed Fund, Oregon’s most active venture capital fund, among other partners and private investors.
IMPCO Automotive Receives CARB and EPA Approval for Chevrolet and GMC Vans
April 28, 2016
IMPCO Automotive and Fuel Systems Solutions, recently received certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its bi-fuel system installed on the 2016 6.0L Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana 2500/3500 cargo and Passenger Vans.
“Offering a bi-fuel passenger and cargo van on the popular GM Express and Savana platforms fulfills a void in the market for working class bi-fuel CNG van solutions,” said IMPCO Director of Sales Jeff Hall. “Retrofits are available for fleets with existing model year 2016 inventory.”
The certification further expands IMPCO Automotive’s extensive list of OEM light and medium duty platforms that operate on CNG.
Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition Celebrates CNG Station Opening
April 30, 2016
The Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition and Constellation celebrated the grand opening of Constellation’s new public CNG fueling station in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The City of Ft. Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and other representatives congratulated Constellation on what is their fifth CNG station opening in Indiana and seventh in the state.
“Utilizing alternative fuels and technologies will assist us in our collective efforts to move Fort Wayne and the region forward in the right direction,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.
During the event, CNG station tours and fueling demonstrations were given where fleets running on CNG could fuel for the day at the special price of just $0.99 per GGE.
“This station is the 26th public access compressed natural gas station in Indiana, offering public and private sector fleets a cleaner, cheaper long term solution to their fueling needs,” said Kellie Walsh, executive director of the Greater Indiana Clean Cities.
U.S. Gain Partners with City of Hamilton to Expand CNG Services in Ohio
April 26, 2016
U.S. Gain has partnered with the City of Hamilton to add the GAIN Clean Fuel brand to its fueling station. The station is located in Hamilton, Ohio, was built in 2014, and is the only public CNG station in the Cincinnati region. The CNG station is a self-service, commercial, fast-filling facility, and able to service up to eight vehicles at a time.
“Our partnership with U.S. Gain will increase our energy independence through the use of a domestically-produced fuel while decreasing our carbon footprint,” says City of Hamilton Field Services Superintendent Mike Gurr. “This partnership will also drive national CNG fleets from GAIN’s network to stop and fuel in the City of Hamilton.”
Hamilton currently has 10 CNG vehicles and plans to increase the CNG fleet over the next several years. The move is part of several green initiatives the City of Hamilton is engaged in.
Cenergy Solutions to Debut Worlds First Adsorbed Natural Gas Passenger Car
April 28, 2016
Cenergy Solutions, a leader in commercially viable adsorbent natural gas (ANG) systems technology, says it will be debuting the world first adsorbed natural gas (ANG) equipped passenger vehicle, a Honda Civic, and a 2016 Ford F-150 with a conformable ANG tank at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, California May 2–5.
Cenergy Solutions ANG technology allows tanks to adsorb and esorb more CNG at substantially lower pressures (350–1,000 psi) and can be applied to virtually any type of natural gas storage system.
Cenergy’s exhibit will feature an OEM, dedicated CNG Honda Civic and a Ford F-150 pick-up truck. The 2012 Honda Civic will have a standard, 3,600 psi, Type-3 CNG cylinder equipped with Cenergy’s patent-pending ANG system. The 2016 Ford F-150 will feature a conformable, low-pressure aluminum tank. The tank in the F-150 will feature a Blackstone fill valve that limits fueling to the tanks 488 psi operating pressure.
Cenergy will also be giving a presentation on its ANG system during the NGVAmerica Technology Forum at the ACT Expo on Monday, May 2, at 3:00 p.m.
NGV Research Presented at Ontario Energy Association’s Speaker Series
April 26, 2016
At the Ontario Energy Association’s (OEA) Speaker Series, Dr. Daniel Hoornweg of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), presented Exploring Alternative Transportation Options in Ontario: Electric & Natural Gas Vehicles. Hoornweg argued Ontario can save billions of dollars in fuel costs and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050 if it addresses transportation issues and implements solutions that include increased reliance on natural gas and electric-powered vehicles.
The research study from UOIT led by Dr. Hoornweg was prepared as part of ongoing transportation work through the university’s Jeffrey S. Boyce Research Chair in Natural Gas as a Transportation Fuel. The research takes an integrated retrospective view from 2050, and concludes that a long-term approach focusing on clean and affordable solutions is feasible with the use of electric-powered personal vehicles and natural gas-powered buses and heavy-duty trucks.
“Some private trucking firms and municipal bus fleets have already transitioned from diesel to liquefied natural gas as a transportation fuel,” says Dr. Hoornweg. “It is less expensive, burns cleaner and dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”
The OEA has also advocated that the adoption of LNG and CNG vehicles will significantly improve the emissions profile of Ontario’s transportation sector. For a downloadable copy of the full UOIT study and Dr. Hoornweg’s presentation, click on the links below:
California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition Names Thomas Lawson as New President
April 27, 2016
The board of directors of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (CalNGV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Lawson as CalNGV’s president, effective immediately.
Lawson, who has spent his career in public policy and advocacy in California, served in multiple roles at the state government, including most recently as the Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.
“CalNGV’s board is enthusiastic about the experience and relationships that Thomas brings to the role of president,” said Todd Campbell, CalNGV’s board chairman. “His breadth of knowledge and capabilities will lead our efforts in promoting NGVs as an important tool for reaching California’s clean air and greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
Lawson will use his significant experience in Sacramento and across the state to educate state officials on the benefits of NGVs and to advocate for the 25 member companies that make up the coalition.
Lawson will replace Tim Carmichael, who has led the association since 2010. “On behalf of the board and the entire membership of CalNGV, I want to personally thank Tim for his leadership, tireless work and vision that he has provided,” said Campbell. “Tim led our association through extraordinarily complicated and impactful legislative matters, many of which serve as the industry standard for natural gas vehicle policies throughout the nation, and not just here in California.”
Shell to Supply LNG Fuel to AIDA Cruises
April 26, 2016
AIDA Cruises and Shell have sealed their partnership for the future supply of LNG to the AIDAprima and her sister ship AIDAperla. As the exclusive strategic partner of AIDA Cruises, a brand of the Carnival Corporation, Shell will supply the LNG at all ports for low-emission ship operation.
In all ports along the Metropolitan route, the AIDAprima can be operated with LNG while docked at port. The preparations and initial permit procedures for the ports of Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge are already well underway. LNG trucks will ensure the supply of LNG. AIDA Cruises will begin test operations in the first ports in as early as the coming weeks.
Stena Signs Contract for Four New LNG-Ready RoPax Ferries
April 28, 2016
Stena has signed a contract for an order of four new RoPax ferries with planned delivery during 2019 and 2020, with an option for another four vessels. The vessels, which will be built by AVIC Shipyard in China, will feature gas-ready engines for operation on LNG or methanol.
Stena says the ships will be the most fuel efficient ferries in the world and will set a new standard for operational performance, emissions and cost competitiveness. The vessels will accommodate about 1,000 passengers and offer a full range of passenger services.
“We foresee a continued demand growth for short sea services in Northern Europe and in many other parts of the world,” said Dan Sten Olsson, Chairman in Stena Line. “Not only is transportation on sea the most environmentally efficient way of moving goods, it is also infrastructure that provides reliable and speedy logistics with very limited public cost.”
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