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NGV Industry News, May 24 2004
Suzuki Motor Corp is to release a CNG Wagon R in Japan this July. The compact mini car is fitted with a 658 cc dedicated engine and will have 3 CNG tanks delivering a driving range of 260 km (165 miles). Interior space in the car is the same as its gasoline equivalent. The CNG version is rated at 37kw/6500rpm, slightly less than the gasoline engine, rated at 40kw/6500rpm. A turbo version of the gasoline engine is rated slightly higher at 44kw/6000rpm. The new model is to be priced at 2,000,000 yen (approx. $US17,600). Suzuki also sells the CNG Every, a similar sized delivery van. Both vehicles have been designed specifically for Japan's unique 'compact' or 'mini' market and are not expected to be exported to other markets at this stage. According to a Suzuki representative, the company has no plans to introduce other CNG vehicles to their lineup in the near future. Japan Corporate News Network Canadian Government project to boost natural gas vehicles 21-May-04 A pilot program will encourage managers of Canada's on-road fleets to choose vehicles that use natural gas rather than gasoline - a choice that will reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Natural Gas for Vehicles Market Transformation Pilot Project, which is funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and implemented by the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicles Alliance (CNGVA), will offer an incentive of $3,000 to reduce the purchase price of a natural gas vehicle. The Natural Gas for Vehicles Market Transformation Pilot Project is a $1.4-million initiative that will allow the Government of Canada and its partners to explore both the opportunities for, and obstacles to, increasing the use of natural gas vehicles in the commercial fleet sector, particularly in more populated urban areas. The key goal of the project is to gain a better understanding of how to create and develop a successful program over the long term. "This incentive program will build on the success of programs like the Toronto Better Transportation Partnership that have realised significant reductions in fleet emissions," stated John Finch, President and CEO of the CNGVA. "By operating natural gas vehicles, fleet owners can achieve reduction in fuel costs, while at the same time achieving meaningful environment benefits." The pilot project is targeted at urban areas in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. It will measure market activity in these regions and identify top-selling models. Additionally, NRCan and the CNGVA will examine ways to boost the market availability of natural gas vehicles during the period of the pilot project. The pilot project will investigate other issues such as a made-in-Canada emission verification system and the regulation of modified natural gas vehicles. Funding for the pilot project will come from the $9.9-million Natural Gas for Vehicles measure announced in the 2003 federal budget. The Natural Gas for Vehicles Market Transformation Pilot Project is the first initiative funded under this measure. According to the NRCan website, natural gas costs about 40 percent less than gasoline in Canada. Natural gas is sold in kilograms at retail sites and in cubic metres or gigajoules at on-site locations. Most retail stations also post the gasoline equivalent price (litre gasoline equivalent, or LGE). There is no Government of Canada excise tax on natural gas as a vehicle fuel, and there are no provincial or territorial road taxes, except in Manitoba. Philippines NGV program gaining momentum 21-May-04 NGV fleets are a step closer in the Philippines following agreements reached between the Department of Energy and upstream gas suppliers last week. The government and the Malampaya Consortium, representing Shell Philippines Exploration, ChevronTexaco and Philippines National Oil Company (PNOC), have settled on pricing for CNG for the next seven years, providing a basis on which bus fleet operators can commit to purchasing CNG buses. The CNG price is in line with a commitment made by the Consortium 18 months ago to keep CNG pricing at 50% of diesel prices to make the switch to CNG affordable for operators. CNG prices will commence at 8.46 pesos per litre equivalent, rising to 10.11 pesos in five years time, an average of about 9.5 pesos/litre over the duration of the program. At these prices, fleet owners are expected to recover the premium on CNG vehicle purchases through fuel cost savings within a three year time frame.
Four major bus operators are believed to be considering purchasing a total of 160 CNG buses in the near term, using funding from the Philippines Development Bank and other sources. Once the initial orders are confirmed by the Department of Energy, the Malampaya Consortium is expected to take a six month lead time to establish a 'mother' refuelling facility at Batangas, about 100kms north of Manila to provide fuel for the Manila based fleets. Daughter facilities will be established by a downstream supplier at a location to be determined once the fleet commitments are known. The consortium is also constructing a pipeline from Batangas to Manila to establish a natural gas pipeline network but this is not expected to be completed until 2008.
Two demonstration CNG buses, one a Daewoo repowered by NGVI of Korea, and the other an Ashok Leyland from India, have been operating routes in Metro Manila, Laguna and Rizal. The buses arrived in Manila last December, where they were inaugurated at ANGVA's (Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association) NGV Industry Development Workshop. A Department of Energy representative says the buses have proved popular with commuters. Fuel for the buses have been supplied by PNOC, which manufactured a CNG refuelling trailer especially for demonstration projects. Though the NGV programs in the Philippines are primarily to improve urban air quality, the government is also keen to reduce imports of crude oil. High crude prices and a devalued Philippine Peso are putting stress on the local economy. Energy Secretary, Vincent Perez is in Amsterdam this week as an observer of the OPEC talks, and will make representations for OPEC countries to increase output. The Department of Energy is also spearheading a program to introduce coco-methyl-ester (CME) bio-diesel blends into Philippine vehicle fleets. Toyota is to send a vehicle to the Philippines for testing with the CME blends following the announcement by Philippines President Arroyo that government fleets are to operate on a 1% CME/diesel blend. Other manufacturers participating in trials include ISUZU and BMW. Pune to join Indian CNG mandated cities 16-May-04 Pune is expected to join the growing list of Indian cities to have CNG mandated for vehicles within city boundaries. Express India reports that the mandates are likely to be part of the recommendations of the Maharastra Pollution Control Board's Pune Action Plan, to be submitted some time within the next two weeks. A recommendation for two-stroke vehicles to be replaced by four-stroke vehicles is also expected. If the recommendations are included in the plan, Pune will join New Delhi, Mumbai (also in Maharashtra state), Ahmedabad and other cities which have regulations stipulating CNG or LPG for several classes of vehicles, including buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Mandates have met with varying degrees of success in the country. In New Delhi, CNG programs are said to have contributed to the re-election of the capital territory government, while in Calcutta, a lack of gas and infrastructure meant the Supreme Court had to adjust earlier rulings which stipulated CNG or LPG for Calcutta vehicles. No fuel for uncertified cylinders in Delhi 18-May-04 CNG vehicle owners in New Delhi will soon have to provide proof of certification for five year old CNG cylinders before they will be able to fill up with gas. Indian standards state that cylinders must be retested and inspected by the Chief Controller of Explosives every five years. Gas supplier, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has commenced an awareness campaign for vehicle owners to advise the new procedures will begin on June 1st. Concerns over LPG cylinders Meanwhile, Bharat Petroleum Corporation reports that LPG vehicle owners are causing headaches by ignoring cylinder regulations altogether. Because of substantial price differentials between automotive and cooking LPG, owners have been using the cheaper cooking gas and cylinders to fuel their cars. The cylinders are supplied by unregistered converters who charge 300 rupees to supply and fit a cooking gas cylinder as opposed to registered fitters who charge 10,000 rupees to supply and fit certified cylinders. Using subsidised cooking LPG reduces fuel prices by almost 50% compared to automotive LPG. In Bangalore, as many as 23,500 of the 30,000 LPG cars (excluding taxis) on the road are believed to be fitted with the illegal systems. A staggering 70,000 of the 75,000 auto rickshaws in Bangalore are also believed to have illegal systems. Apart from the misuse of subsidised gas, the prime concern of industry authorities is the safety risk posed by unsafe and uncertified cylinders. The cooking gas kits are not fitted with the shut off valves required in automotive installations, posing an elevated fire and explosion risk. Sources - BPCL. Express
India NGV signage standardisation process continues Apr-04
The European and International NGV Associations (ENGVA & IANGV) have continued a process to establish uniform CNG road signage around the world, meeting with the United Nations Working Party 1 (WP1) in April to formally present proposed symbols for the UN to adopt worldwide. WP1 is the governing body responsible for designating international road signage under the Vienna Convention of 1968. The proposal to adopt the signage was first put to WP1 by ENGVA in September 2003 and the proposed designs were chosen by IANGV and ENGVA executives and officers. WP1 will consider the designs and will vote in September whether to give the proposal 'Consolidated Resolution' status. Though it may still be 3-5 years after that point before the signage is officially adopted by the Vienna Convention, Consolidated Resolution status will allow marketing of the logo to proceed, both in European countries and internationally. ENGVA has also been busy with harmonisation of European and international standards projects and is this week celebrating their most successful conference yet, with 350 delegates registered to attend the event which starts in Austria tommorrow. NGV2004 Conference plans progressing 21-May-04 Conference organisers report that preparations are going well for NGV2004 - IV ExpoGNC, IANGV's bi-annual conference to be held in Buenos Aires this October 26-28. Program details have almost been finalised and speakers who have committed to present at the conference include Argentinean President, Néstor Kirchner, Julio De Vido, Minister of Planning, and Chief of Buenos Aires City Government, Aníbal Ibarra. OEMs who will present papers already include Isuzu, Cummins, Honda, Ford, Renault and Fiat. Organisers also invite other OEMS to express and interest in presenting papers at the event. So far more than 33 countries are represented at the conference. More than 109 exhibitors have purchased or booked 75% of exhibition space, leaving less than a 1/4 of the exhibition space available - an impressive achievement considering the conference is still nearly five months away. Early bird registrations close in June 20th. As well as qualifying for a registration discount, early bird registrants will automatically enter a raffle with prizes including hotel accommodation, golf bonuses, and tickets for tango shows, among others. At the closing ceremony there will be a raffle among the attending delegates for two tickets with accommodation for Egypt NGV 2006. As part of the conference, organisers will be setting up a 4000 m² 4WD test drive circuit, where delegates will be able to drive 4WD NGVs. Other activities include a fully operational demonstration refuelling station, caravans and the NGV 2004 Golf Cup. Conference details are available at the NGV2004 website. Substantial growth in Thailand NGV market foreseen - GASEX 2004 May-19-04 Delegates at Asia's annual gas industry gathering GASEX 2004, to be held in Singapore next week, will have the opportunity to hear first hand on developments in natural gas vehicles markets in the Asian region. In the Asia Pacific region, which has some of the fastest growing economies in the world, NGVs have been seen as one of the best solutions in solving air pollution caused by the dramatic growth of gasoline and diesel-fuelled vehicle population. With vast natural gas reserves, India, Pakistan and China are now world leaders considering the number of NGVs on their roads, and there are growing fleets in Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. Today, there are more than 600,000 vehicles running on CNG or LNG across Asia. Thailand is a relatively small player in the NGV market, but according to Manop Ratanasupanusorn, NGV Project Director of PTT Gas Business Group, PTT Public Co., Ltd., this will change substantially over the next five years. PTT has embarked on several projects for the expansion of existing pipelines and refuelling stations in metropolitan Bangkok. At the end of this year, there will be 50 refueling stations within the Bangkok area and 10,000 taxis running on natural gas, according to Mr. Ratanasupanusorn. In the next five years, the number of NGVs in Thailand will grow from 1,700 to 145,000, most of them taxis. CNG prices in Thailand are around half the price of diesel Looking ahead, Thailand faces two challenges in promoting the use of NGVs: putting in place a natural gas refueling infrastructure and keeping the cost of NGVs competitive with the conventional vehicles. Much work is going into expanding the existing pipelines and refuelling stations in the greater Bangkok area. In the future these lines may be expanded throughout the whole country. Because of the high costs of the conversion kits, the use of NGVs is still mostly cost-effective for users who make a certain amount of miles a day, like taxi’s, buses or trucks. At this stage, NGVs are still no competition to ‘normal’ cars due to the extra costs. More talks on the important environmental benefits of NGVs and current NGV research and development efforts in the Asia and Western Pacific regions will be presented at the 8th Gas Information Exchange Conference and Exhibition (GASEX 2004) which will be held at Suntec Singapore from May 30 to June 2, 2004. Manop Ratanasupanusorn is one of the key industry leaders invited to speak. Also speaking will be Weena Chai-Anun, also of PTT Thailand and Joseph Hui, of Singapore's National Environment Agency. Abdul Rahim Hashim, Vice President of Petronas Malaysia and President of the Asia-Pacific NGV Association (ANGVA) will deliver a keynote speech at the conference. Environmentalists protest CNG refuelling site locations in Bangladesh 22-May-04 Bangladesh's Daily Star reports that protestors are objecting to the proposed sites of up to 13 CNG refuelling stations in Dhaka and Chittagong. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa), a group representing environmental concerns, claims that the sites in Dhaka threaten water catchments in the city while the sites in Chittagong are environmentally and culturally significant. |
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H2V (Hydrogen Vehicle) NEWS |
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Renault and Nuvera Strengthen Ties for Joint Fuel Cell Research Venture
19-May-04 Renault and Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., an international developer of multi-fuel reforming and fuel cell technology, have signed an agreement to strengthen their partnership and continue their collaborative efforts in fuel cell research and development. The deal gives Renault an equity stake in Nuvera, sets out the terms of a new research contract, and licenses Renault to use technology developed by Nuvera. According to the agreement, Renault will acquire a 10% equity stake in Nuvera by contributing to Nuvera’s capital increase. Nuvera’s other shareholders are integrated energy company Amerada Hess Corporation, headquartered in New York, and Italian electrochemistry company Gruppo De Nora. In addition, Renault and Nuvera agreed to terms on a new four-year R&D contract whereby Nuvera grants Renault a license to use its technology for automobiles and light-duty vehicles. This contract extends a prior deal signed in 2002 for developing a hydrocarbon reformer adapted for automobile use. The on-board reformer converts gasoline to hydrogen, which is used to power the fuel cell that drives the vehicle. The initial contract is due to terminate later this year when Nuvera supplies Renault with a prototype of the unit. “The agreement will enable us to play an active role in the development of fuel cells powered by reformed hydrogen,” said Pierre-Alain de Smedt, Renault’s Executive Vice President for Industry and Technology. “With the addition of Renault as a strategic shareholder, we have securely positioned ourselves for the challenges that lay ahead to execute our business plan for the next four years,” commented Roberto Cordaro, President and CEO of Nuvera Fuel Cells. Quantum Delivers Hydrogen Refuelling System to General Motors 19-May-04 Quantum Fuel Systems has delivered a mobile 10,000-psi (70 MPa) hydrogen refuelling system to General Motors to refuel GM’s fuel cell vehicles in Washington, D.C.. The vehicles are are fitted with Quantum’s line of 10,000-psi hydrogen fuel systems. Quantum has developed and launched a line of 5,000 and 10,000-psi hydrogen-refuelling systems to support the introduction of fuel cell vehicles. Quantum’s refuellers are certified for use by Germany’s regulatory agency, TÜV (Technischer Uberwachungs Verein). Certification agencies and industry specifications require the units to safely manage pressure, temperature, and potential gas leakage issues with redundant safety features and thorough test and validation of components and systems. “Our transportable refueling systems are designed to support our customers as they develop and demonstrate their fuel cell vehicles in the field,” stated Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO. “These systems are also helping to establish the early foundation of a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure that is beginning to take shape as we move toward a hydrogen economy. “The higher pressure storage systems developed by Quantum, which this new refuelling system supports, translate directly into a greater vehicle driving range for hydrogen fueled vehicles, a critical factor for the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles,” added Niedzwiecki. Toyota delivers FCHV to Stuart Energy 19-May-04 Stuart Energy Systems Corporation has taken delivery of a Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV), becoming the latest member of Toyota's Fuel Cell Vehicle Community. Stuart Energy's California-based staff will drive the FCHV and provide on-road operational data to Toyota on the vehicle's performance. In addition, Stuart Energy will use the vehicle in customer and public demonstrations of its Stuart Energy Station (SES-f) hydrogen fuelling product line. "This project builds on our existing relationship with Toyota, a recognised leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles," commented Jon Slangerup, President and CEO. "We are eager to start our evaluation of the FCHV and begin reporting our findings back to Toyota. We plan to work with our existing infrastructure customers and partners to provide hydrogen fuel to the vehicle as well as use one of our small portable hydrogen systems that can support a single vehicle." "Stuart Energy is already a valued partner in Toyota's fuel cell vehicle research," said Jim Press, executive vice president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Today we're taking another step forward by expanding the California hydrogen 'community' of businesses, government agencies, educators, and organisations. The mass adoption of hydrogen-based transportation is a long way off, but together we can address the serious technological, infrastructure, and consumer-acceptance challenges we all face." Toyota's FCHV is based on the Highlander mid-sized sport utility vehicle and contains a Toyota-developed proprietary fuel cell system with four 5,000-psi hydrogen fuel tanks. Hydrogen gas feeds into the fuel cell stack where it is combined with oxygen. This generates a peak of 90 KW of electricity, which powers the 109-hp electric motor (194 lb-ft of torque) and charges the vehicle's nickel-metal hydride batteries that also feed power-on-demand to the electric motor drive system. |
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17-May-04
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