NGVAmerica News Week in Review: March 6, 2017

• BP and Clean Energy Partner to Expand RNG Fuel in Transportation
• TICO Launches CNG Pilot Tractor Powered by PSI 8.8-Liter Engine
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Earns 2017 Climate Leadership Award
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Receives Heavy Duty CNG Fueled Shuttle Buses
• NGVA Europe Appoints New Secretary General
• General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers Final ECO Class Tanker
• Royal IHC to Build World’s Largest LNG Cutter Suction Dredger

BP and Clean Energy Partner to Expand RNG Fuel in Transportation

March 1, 2017

BP and Clean Energy Fuels announced that BP will acquire the upstream portion of Clean Energy’s renewable natural gas business and sign a long-term supply contract with Clean Energy to support the firm’s continuing downstream renewable natural gas business. The deal enables both companies to accelerate the growth in renewable natural gas supply and meet the growing demand of the natural gas vehicle fuel market.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) fuel, or biomethane, is produced entirely from organic waste. As a fuel for natural gas vehicle fleets, including heavy duty trucks, Clean Energy says it is estimated to result in 70 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than from equivalent gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles.

Under terms of the agreement, BP will pay $155 million for Clean Energy’s existing biomethane production facilities, its share of two new facilities and its existing third party supply contracts for renewable natural gas. Clean Energy will continue to have access to a secure and expanding supply to sell to the growing customer base of its Redeem-branded RNG fuel through a long-term supply contract with BP.

“Demand for renewable natural gas is growing quickly and BP is pleased to expand our supply capability in this area,” said Alan Haywood, chief executive officer of BP’s supply and trading business. “BP is committed to supporting developments towards a lower carbon future and, working with Clean Energy, we believe we will be well-positioned to participate in the growth of this lower carbon fuel in the U.S.”

Clean Energy, in turn, will be able to expand its Redeem customer base at its North American network of natural gas fueling stations, allowing customers to take advantage of the ease and affordability of switching to a fuel that is both renewable and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel.

“We started our Redeem fueling business from scratch less than four years ago and have grown it into a significant enterprise,” said Andrew Littlefair, Clean Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “This transaction will help to take it to the next level.”

Clean Energy will buy renewable natural gas fuel from BP and collect royalties on gas purchased from BP and sold as Redeem at it stations. This royalty payment is in addition to any payment under BP’s contractual obligation.

TICO Launches CNG Pilot Tractor Powered by PSI 8.8-Liter Engine

March 2, 2017

TICO Manufacturing and Power Solutions International (PSI) announced that PSI’s 8.8-liter CNG engine will power a new terminal tractor prototype being tested by TICO. TICO displayed the CNG prototype, which is already in service with plans for additional pilot testing, at the 2017 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee, from February 27 to March 2.

The prototype fits within TICO’s larger program to develop and expand the company’s portfolio of alternative-fuel terminal tractors. As part of that effort, TICO has worked closely with its customer UPS to develop competitively-priced alternative fuel vehicles to expand future fleet options to achieve the package delivery leader’s sustainability goals. The CNG prototype, currently in pilot testing, is a product of this collaboration.

“The increasing costs and complexity associated with meeting diesel emissions is helping the shift to offer gasoline and alternative fuel engines,” said Frank Tubbert, TICO’s General Manager. “We also wanted, in large part, to offer the customer more choices and to focus on clean air as a major policy objective.”

The CNG-fueled terminal tractor is the latest product of the partnership between TICO and PSI, which began in 2016 when the two companies joined forces on designs to integrate customized gasoline and alternative-fuel engines into TICO’s Pro-Spotter terminal tractors.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Earns 2017 Climate Leadership Award

March 3, 2017

The EPA Center for Corporate Climate Leadership publicly recognized Dall Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport for their leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate action during the awards dinner, held as part of the Climate Leadership Conference, held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 1 – 3, 2017.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was recognized for integrated cleaner vehicles into its fleet. DFW utilizes CNG in its bus fleet operations, with multiple fueling stations for airport fleets and the surrounding community. DFW was previously recognized with a Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Setting Certificate) in 2016.

EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) through cost-effective partnerships across the U.S. economy. In February 2012, the first-ever awards were presented to one individual and 20 organizations from across the U.S. who are leading the way in the management and reduction of GHG emissions—both in internal operations and throughout the supply chain. Now in its sixth year, the program has honored more than 100 recipients; the awards continue to highlight leadership in addressing climate change by reducing carbon pollution and implementing adaptation planning initiatives.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Receives Heavy Duty CNG Fueled Shuttle Buses

March 1, 2017

REV Group has begun delivery of 34 CNG fueled, low-floor shuttle buses to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. These are the first deliveries of a 101-bus contract that El Dorado National – California (ENC) will be producing.

The contract is a mix of the latest generation Axess 40’ and E-Z Rider II 35’ low-floor, ADA compliant shuttle buses. All buses utilize clean CNG fuel and feature extra-wide entry and exit doors for fast and efficient passenger movement. The Axess and E-Z Rider II are produced in the ENC manufacturing facility located in Riverside, California. Both models meet the latest Buy America compliance requirements.

“We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport,” said Mike Ammann, Vice President of Sales, ENC. “ENC has supplied heavy-duty parking lot shuttle buses at the airport for the past 20 years.”

NGVA Europe Appoints New Secretary General

March 1, 2017

The Board of Directors of NGVA Europe has appointed Andrea Gerini, formerly of Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF), as the new Secretary General of NGVA Europe, effective March 1.

Mr Gerini, who was Head of Collaboration and Strategic Programs Area for the Powertrain Department at Centro Ricerche Fiat in Italy, has experience and solid technical expertise in the sector of natural gas and other alternative fuels. He holds a degree on Mechanical engineering and during the years he took different positions dealing with the R&D programs addressing the engine technologies development and the use of alternative fuels.

“Mr. Gerini’s considerable experience with CRF’s Powertrain Department will significantly benefit the cooperation between NGVA Europe and NGV Global as we seek to promote natural gas fuel for transportation,” said NGV Global Executive Director, Diego Goldin. “We very much look forward to welcoming Mr. Gerini at our Board meeting to be held as part of NGV Global 2017 in Rotterdam, now only three weeks away.”

NGVA Europe looks forward to continue paving the road to sustainable mobility by highlighting the important role that the use of gas in transport can play and will keep working closely with European policy makers, the NGV industry, gas companies and vehicle operators.

Andrea Gerini succeeds Matthias Maedge, who will now act as the General Delegate of IRU (International Road Union) Brussels Delegation.

General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers Final ECO Class Tanker

March 2, 2017

General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the Liberty, the third and final ship to be constructed for SEA-Vista as part of a larger eight-ship ECO Class tanker program.

In 2013, NASSCO entered into an agreement with SEA-Vista to design and build three 50,000 deadweight-ton, LNG-conversion-ready product carriers. The 610-foot tankers are a new “ECO” design, offering improved fuel efficiency and cleaner shipping options. Construction for the first of the three ships for SEA-Vista began in November 2014. The first two ships—the Independence and the Constitution—have been delivered and are servicing the Jones Act trade.

The Liberty is the seventh vessel in an eight-ship ECO Class tanker program for two separate customers, SEA-Vista LLC and American Petroleum Tankers. The eighth ship of the program, the Palmetto State, is scheduled to be christened and launched on March 25, 2017, at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

Royal IHC to Build World’s Largest LNG Cutter Suction Dredger

March 1, 2017

Royal IHC (IHC) has been awarded a contract for the design, construction and delivery of an LNG-powered self-propelled cutter suction dredger (CSD) for DEME in Belgium. The newly built CSD will be 538 feet long. The concept and basic design for this mega cutter was done in close cooperation with DEME, Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam and IHC.

The new vessel SPARTACUS will be the world’s first LNG-powered CSD and follows the order for the first LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) MINERVA and SCHELDT RIVER, and ‘LNG-ready’ BONNY RIVER, that are currently under construction at IHC’s shipyards.

This environmentally-friendly CSD will also have other innovations on board, such as a waste heat recovery system that converts heat from the exhaust gasses to electrical energy. The dredge control is arranged for a one-man operation. The vessel will have a heavy duty cutter ladder and can reach a dredging depth of 150 feet.