NGVAmerica News Week in Review: May 8, 2017

 

• Cummins Westport Introduces New Natural Gas Engines for 2018
• NGVAmerica Presents Total Transportation Services with NGV Achievement Award
• Republic Services Expands CNG-Powered Fleet in the Twin Cities Area
• City of San Diego Opens New Facility to Power Trash Trucks with Natural Gas
• Kenworth Advances Low Emission Prototype Projects for Southern California Ports
• Agility Accelerates Launch of Blue iQ to Improve Natural Gas Fleet Performance
• S. Gain and AFS Partner to Co-Brand Houston’s Largest CNG Station
• Upcoming Renewable Natural Gas Symposium Hosted by UC Riverside’s CE-CERT
• Jobs Study Show Benefits of Renewable Natural Gas in Transportation
• New Partnership to Manufacture Adsorbent Natural Gas Cylinders
• Wärtsilä 34DF Engines Awarded EPA Tier III Emissions Compliance Certification

 

Cummins Westport Introduces New Natural Gas Engines for 2018

May 1, 2017

Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) announced its model year 2018 dedicated natural gas engines for regional haul truck / tractor, vocational and transit, school bus, and refuse applications at the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, California. The new lineup comes with a change in names, following Cummins tradition of using B, L, and X series letters, followed by engine displacement. The letter “N” denotes engines that are fueled by natural gas.

The new B6.7N, L9N, and ISX12N engines feature EPA and CARB optional low NOx certification, on-board diagnostics, closed crankcase ventilation systems, and performance and reliability improvements. The new ISX12N also features a redesigned fuel system with fewer parts and improved performance. Like the L9N that replaces the ISL G Near Zero, the 2018 ISX12N heavy duty natural gas engine will also be certified to EPA and CARB optional low NOx emissions standards of 0.02 g/bhp-hr.

CWI says the ISX12N and L9N will be the lowest certified NOx emission engines available in North America. NOx exhaust emissions are 90 percent lower than the current EPA NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, and the engines also meet or exceed the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas emission requirements. CWI natural gas engines have met the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr) since 2001.

Cummins Westport engines utilize proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation technology, and three-way catalyst aftertreatment (TWC).  The TWC is packaged as a muffler and is maintenance-free.  No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment is required.

“Our 2018 product line demonstrates an important milestone in product development for Cummins Westport, creating a move to zero emissions strategy for our customers and industry,” said Rob Neitzke, President of Cummins Westport.  “We are particularly pleased that the ISX12N will join the L9N in offering our on-highway customers the benefits of performance and reliability at an ultra low emissions level described by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District as equivalent to an electric vehicle.”

Partial funding in support of the ISX12N engine development has been received from South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Energy Commission, Southern California Gas and Clean Energy.

The ISX12N will be manufactured in Cummins’ heavy-duty engine plant in Jamestown, New York. The L9N and the B6.7N are manufactured in Cummins midrange engine plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

 

NGVAmerica Presents Total Transportation Services with NGV Achievement Award

May 3, 2017

NGVAmerica presented the NGV Achievement Award to Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI) for their natural gas fleet program. The award was presented by NGVAmerica President Matthew Godlewski to TTSI’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Founder Vic LaRosa at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, California.

The NGV Achievement Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding leadership, vision and innovation to advance natural gas as a transportation fuel. Through a rigorous process, NGVAmerica identifies industry advocates for their contributions to further grow the NGV industry.

TTSI has been a leader in operating clean truck technologies at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for over eight years, while continuing to provide port container drayage services to some of the largest retailers and importers. Most recently, TTSI has been participating in a test program for the soon to be commercially available Cummins Westport ISX-12 G, Near-Zero Ultra Low NOx natural gas engine. In addition, TTSI has been powering these engines with renewable natural gas (RNG)—the lowest emission transportation fuel available.

“The NGV Achievement Awards—now in its 25^th year—is an important tradition that recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of our industry’s leaders,” said Godlewski. “TTSI’s vision is setting a new bar for the environmental and economic benefits of using clean-burning natural gas as a transportation fuel at our nation’s ports.”

As a recipient of the 25^th Annual NGV Achievement Award, TTSI is now part of a select group of leaders that have had a significant impact on advancing the NGV industry.

 

Republic Services Expands CNG-Powered Fleet in the Twin Cities Area

May 2, 2017

Republic Services unveiled its new CNG fueling station and over 50 new CNG-powered trucks to serve customers throughout the Twin Cities region. The new CNG trucks are replacing older, diesel-powered trucks in the company’s Twin Cities-based fleet. The CNG fueling station was designed and built by Clean Energy Fuels.

“We are leveraging alternative fuels and fleet innovation to help reduce fleet greenhouse gas emissions and do our part to preserve our Blue Planet,” said Jeff Marone, general manager of Republic Services. “We believe we have a responsibility to lead by example, with a commitment to reduce carbon emissions whenever possible.”

Republic operates a total of 115 collection vehicles that serve customers in both Eden Prairie and Hennepin Counties. Nearly 50 percent of Republic’s fleet in the area is powered by domestic natural gas.

Republic has over 500 employees in the Twin Cities area who serve more than 200,000 households and over 10,000 commercial customers. Republic also owns and operates two recycling centers and two transfer stations locally.

Nationwide, Republic operates a fleet of more than 2,500 CNG vehicles and 38 natural gas fueling stations. Republic’s CNG fleet helps to save roughly 18 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. As the operator of the eighth largest vocational fleet in the country, Republic has set a goal of reducing fleet greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent by 2018.

 

City of San Diego Opens New Facility to Power Trash Trucks with Natural Gas

May 2, 2017

City of San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer announced the City has taken an important step toward switching its entire fleet of refuse and recycling collection trucks from diesel to natural gas.

“By transitioning to compressed natural gas, we’re making our fleet greener and saving money at the same time,” Mayor Faulconer said. “This is a win-win for San Diegans and will help us reach our climate action goals.”

Last month, the City completed the second phase of construction on a new CNG fueling station at the Environmental Services Department’s Collection Services facility on Miramar Place. There are now 13 operational fueling posts that can each fill up two CNG vehicles simultaneously.

The City currently has 20 CNG vehicles operating in its fleet that have already begun to use the new station.

Once fully built out, the station will allow the City to replace its existing fleet of 131 diesel-powered collection vehicles with CNG vehicles by 2022—one of the goals in Mayor Faulconer’s Climate Action Plan—and reduce the amount of diesel fuel consumed by more than one million gallons annually.

In addition to the environmental benefits, CNG is significantly cheaper than diesel. Based on current fuel prices, this project will save the City between $1 million and $1.5 million annually in fuel costs once the entire fleet is fully converted. Estimates show that by constructing the facility and compressing the needed fuel for the vehicles, the City of San Diego will be paying less than $1 per DGE of natural gas compared to the average of $2.39 per diesel gallon.

Once complete, the fueling facility will have the ability to fill up to 152 vehicles simultaneously. The City also plans to purchase additional CNG vehicles—including 20 more included in the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal—as the existing diesel trucks reach the end of their useful lives, ultimately converting the entire fleet by 2022.

The total $5.3 million fueling station project is funded partially by a $250,000 grant from the California Energy Commission and $2 million from the City’s Recycling Enterprise Fund. The remaining costs will be covered by the City’s operating budget, or General Fund.

 

Kenworth Advances Low Emission Prototype Projects for Southern California Ports

May 2, 2017

Kenworth is advancing its low/zero emission projects focused on Kenworth T680 day cabs for drayage tractor operation in Southern California ports, which are backed by $9 million in government grants awarded last August.

Kenworth began building a prototype series hybrid-electric T680 day cab designed to produce near-zero-emissions. The truck will use the currently available Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero NOx engine fueled by CNG to generate electrical power. Initial track and road testing is expected to start in the fourth quarter.

The truck will have an electric-only range of approximately 30 miles, and the natural gas system will provide sufficient range for a full day in regional haul applications. Kenworth’s work on this program is supported by a grant of $2.1 million from the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), with Southern California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) as the prime applicant. Kenworth is also building a prototype fueled by hydrogen.

A third project received $4.8 million in funding from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), again with the SCAQMD as the prime applicant. Kenworth will build four additional, hybrid-electric T680 day cabs equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero NOx engine operating on CNG, and will also support customer field tests of these units in Southern California drayage operations.

“These T680 day cab projects provide an excellent opportunity for Kenworth to develop and advance important technologies that may play a critical role in the trucks of tomorrow,” said Patrick Dean, Kenworth chief engineer. “We look forward to playing a leadership role to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Kenworth will build its first unit for this project in 2018. Kenworth engineers will be able to make design and system refinements to this 2018 unit based on data collected from this year’s real-world testing of the initial 2017 hybrid-electric T680.

All six prototype T680 day cab drayage tractors, produced as a result of these Kenworth programs, will transport freight from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to warehouses and railyards in the Los Angeles basin.

 

Agility Accelerates Launch of Blue iQ to Improve Natural Gas Fleet Performance

May 2, 2017

Agility Fuel Solutions says its customers have been enthusiastic about the Blue iQ natural gas fuel system since its launch two months ago. Agility has begun shipping its first production units for both large and small fleets and is pleased to announce it is ready to expand acceptance of orders for Blue iQ equipped fuel systems.

“As a result of our product development work with Cummins, Agility accesses proprietary engine data that optimizes on-highway performance and vastly improves diagnostic capability for optimized uptime and return on investment,” said William Nowicke, Chief Operating Officer and President, Fuel Systems business unit.

All fuel system manufacturers have access to on-board diagnostic data, but Agility says only Blue iQ is integrated with Cummins Connected Diagnostics, INSITE service tool and QuickServe support to connect vehicles, drivers, managers and technicians for real-time management, diagnostics and service. In addition, Blue iQ has access to Cummins proprietary engine data. Its Smart Gauge dashboard has Vehicle Range Monitor to determine how far drivers can go with the fuel on board, Eco Mode to help avoid unplanned refueling at low fuel levels, and Limp Home Mode to get drivers safely out of traffic at extremely low fuel levels. There’s even Cold Start Logic to ensure no downtime on cold mornings.

“We are already seeing strong market interest for this innovative offering developed collaboratively with Cummins, one of Agility’s key partners and investor,” said Kathleen Ligocki, Chief Executive Officer.

 

U.S. Gain and AFS Partner to Co-Brand Houston’s Largest CNG Station

May 1, 2017

U.S. Gain has partnered with American Fueling Systems (AFS) to add the GAIN Clean Fuel CNG brand to AFS’ recently open CNG location in Houston, Texas. The new facility this past December and is the largest public CNG and diesel fueling station in Houston. It serves both commercial and personal vehicles.

“Co-branding the facility is an excellent opportunity for our business growth and for Houston,” said Rahim Charania, CEO of AFS. “U.S. Gain has an excellent reputation in the industry and an unmatched network of CNG stations for carriers to take advantage of throughout North America.”

The new facility offers six highspeed CNG fueling lanes for medium and heavy duty fleet operators. The facility provides fast fill capabilities, access 24 hours a day and accepts all major credit and fleet cards.

 

Upcoming Renewable Natural Gas Symposium Hosted by UC Riverside’s CE-CERT

May 1, 2017

The College of Engineering—Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at the University of California Riverside will be hosting its Renewable Natural Gas Symposium on May 17, 2017 at the Bourns Technology Center in Riverside, California. The in-depth symposium is designed for an engaging discussion on the key benefits and challenges of moving the production of RNG from pilot-scale demonstration projects to widespread commercial production and utilization.

In keeping with the mission of newly opened Center for Renewable Natural Gas (CRNG), the symposium will examine opportunities to improve technology—production efficiencies—and mitigate common barriers—regulatory issues, feedstock logistics/pretreatment challenges, and high capital costs). Discussions will include:

• RNG Policy in California – Past & Future
• Renewable Hydrogen – Nexus of Fuels and Power
• Challenges and Opportunities for Decarbonization
• RNG’s Role in Mitigating Short Lived Climate Pollutants
• Utility-Scale Power-to-Gas
• Thermochemical RNG Production
• A ribbon cutting ceremony and CRNG tour will be held.

For more information, visit the event website.

 

Jobs Study Show Benefits of Renewable Natural Gas in Transportation

May 1, 2017

A new jobs study, released jointly by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) and the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (CNGVC), reveals that deploying trucks fueled by renewable natural gas could create up to 130,000 new jobs and add $14 billion to California’s economy. The ‘RNG Jobs Report’ examines the economic potential of fueling heavy duty trucks with RNG produced in California, instead of being powered by petroleum-based diesel.

A switch to RNG trucks could quickly help California achieve its air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change-related goals, the two coalitions say. More than 95 percent of the trucks on California roads currently use petroleum-based diesel fuel and are a major source of particulate, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and GHG emissions.

“This study affirms what we have been advocating—increased production, deployment and utilization of RNG not only realizes significant benefits for our environment, but for our economy as well,” said Johannes Escudero, Chief Executive Officer of the RNG Coalition. “Our industry is eager to develop new projects, create additional employment opportunities and supply the heavy-duty truck sector in California with renewable natural gas—the lowest carbon-intense transportation fuel commercially available.”

The newest heavy duty natural gas engines are well-suited for transit and refuse applications, and big enough to haul freight. The engines are certified by CARB at “near-zero” emissions levels, equivalent to a 100 percent battery truck. The study reflects options to deploy low NOx natural gas trucks in various applications and vehicle classes through 2030.

The jobs and economic activity from investments in a natural gas trucks powered by in-state renewable natural gas support California’s diverse economy, supporting various levels of skilled workers in sectors including construction, fabrication, vehicle manufacturing, engineering services, waste management, and service industries.  The full study is available here.

 

New Partnership to Manufacture Adsorbent Natural Gas Cylinders

May 2, 2017

Cenergy Solutions has entered into an exclusive agreement with Catalina Composites to develop, design and manufacture adsorbent natural gas (ANG) cylinders for natural gas vehicles. Catalina Composites has already manufactured and tested several sizes of these new low-pressure ANG cylinders making them FMVSS certified and DOT-compliant.

Cenergy Solutions installed one of these new ANG cylinders on a Nissan truck that was shown at the Altfuel Expo in Mexico City earlier this month. This ANG cylinder has a working pressure of 650 psi and can be filled at home or at a business with Cenergy Solutions’ new certified compressor that is approved for use in the US and Canada.

“Cenergy Solutions has made major breakthroughs with adsorbent natural/biogas storage,” said Gary Fanger, COO and CTO of Cenergy Solutions. “The joint development agreement with Catalina Cylinders has been very fruitful allowing us to design, manufacture and test new high tech ANG tanks that are now ready for sale to approved NGV up fitters.”

 

Wärtsilä 34DF Engines Awarded EPA Tier III Emissions Compliance Certification

May 3, 2017

Wärtsilä has been awarded model year 2017 certification of emissions compliance from the US EPA for its Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engine family. The EPA Tier III certification and the corresponding EIAPP certificate were both issued in March 2017, and it covers the Wärtsilä 34DF engines manufactured from the date of issue until the end of 2017.

These are the first Category 3 Tier III certificates issued by the EPA to any manufacturer. Category 3 relates to engines with a displacement per cylinder of greater than 30 liters.

The certification verifies that the Wärtsilä 34DF engine is fully compliant with the EPA Tier III emission standards in gas mode operation. As required by the EPA Tier III standard, the engine is equipped with a continuous NOx measuring and monitoring system for verifying emissions compliancy inside NOx Emission Control Areas (NECA). When sailing outside NECAs, the fuel-flexible 34DF engine can be operated with conventional marine diesel fuels if required.

The 34DF engine features dual-fuel technology and high efficiency, and its success is evidenced with more than 300 engines delivered globally. For marine applications, it is manufactured in configurations from 6 to 16 cylinders covering a power range of 2880 – 8000kW. Based on the Wärtsilä 32 diesel engine introduced in the mid-1990s, the Wärtsilä 34DF’s fuel flexibility means that the engine can be optimized for constant speed generating sets, as well as variable speed mechanical drives for main engine applications.