Under the terms of the Volvo-Westport agreement, each partner will contribute significant resources and pay for its own people and costs of the program. Westport will lead the program. When the product is launched, Westport will supply its HD system components for an agreed upon amount per engine, comparable to other such arrangements previously announced.

“The partnership with the Volvo Group is an important product development program and will help meet the increasing demand for natural gas engines and vehicles in the heavy-duty market.” said David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations.

Combined with Volvo Truck’s previously announced offering of compressed  natural gas powered Volvo VNM and VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide Volvo customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions.

“Despite the near-term infrastructure questions regarding widespread adoption of natural gas as a heavy-duty truck fuel, it’s clear this segment will grow over the next several years,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “We’re already delivering factory-built CNG-powered trucks, and as the long-haul fueling infrastructure develops, the advanced technology in our new LNG engine will provide increased range and improved fuel efficiency in a seamlessly integrated Volvo powertrain.”

The product is scheduled to launch for the North American market in 2014.

Engine Performance

Through advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology – using trace amounts of diesel to ignite the natural gas – the LNG engine will deliver a 30 percent fuel efficiency improvement compared with spark-ignition (SI) engines, making it a viable alternative for demanding long-haul applications. The engine will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent compared with current diesel products.

The engine will accomplish these savings without sacrificing power, torque or fuel efficiency, all of which are critical attributes for on-highway operations.

(This article compiled using information from Westport Innovations and Volvo Trucks North America press releases)

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“Our joint working relationship with APG enables oil and gas customers working in exploration and production to leverage the economic, environmental and operational benefits of LNG,” said Bryan Luftglass, head of strategic marketing and business development for Linde Energy Solutions.

Lyle Jensen, GreenMan’s President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased that Linde has endorsed the expansion of our Turbocharged Natural Gas™ Systems in the oil & gas industry.  APG is having notable success in converting diesel engines and diesel pumps with well-head and pipeline gas but a majority of the rigs are not logistically close to these sources of fuel so LNG makes perfect sense. We look forward to working with Linde to address this growing market need. ”

APG and Linde will work together to offer end-use customers a comprehensive solution to use LNG in retrofitted dual-fuel engines safely, economically and efficiently. Areas of cooperation include LNG usage in applications such as diesel trucks transporting goods (water, sand, cement, piping, etc) and services to the sites, horizontal & vertical drilling diesel generators and high-pressure fracturing diesel pumps.

As part of their agreement, Linde and APG will evaluate expansion of LNG applications to other fields. LNG is an economical alternative to diesel. It can be sourced domestically, is recognized for its lower air emissions and prices are predicted to remain stable as new technologies enable extraction from vast natural gas reserves.

(This article compiled using information from GreenMan Technologies Inc.  and Linde press releases)

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Lincoln Composites TITAN Module System for bulk transportation of CNG.

Lincoln Composites, a business unit of Hexagon Composites, has gained approval in Australia for the sale and use of its TITAN transport modules. The modules use high-pressure composite cylinders for bulk hauling of compressed natural gas (CNG) in ISO container form. The Workcover NSW approval gives Lincoln Composites the ability to offer the TITAN transport module to an Australian market with a compressed natural gas pipeline infrastructure marked by limited access to rural and inland regions.

(This article primarily compiled using information from a Hexagon Composites press release)

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Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is one of the fastest growing fuels to power garbage trucks in the United States, but conversions can be hampered by the lack of infrastructure in many cities. Edelbach said the PFS is a simple, quick, cost-effective method to bridge that gap.

“The PFS means that customers don’t have to wait to migrate to CNG vehicles – and also allows them the convenience of fueling at their location, rather than driving their trucks to a public station across town,” said Vocational Energy’s president, Scott Edelbach.

“We designed the PFS to be transportable by a standard commercial roll-off truck, something that most refuse fleets already have in their inventory,” Edelbach said. The PFS can also be rented as a temporary fueling solution while customers await construction of their fuelling station.

The PFS attaches to a customer’s existing natural gas service and be supplied electrical power. It is capable of fueling up to eight vehicles simultaneously. As an option it can be expanded to 20 hoses using remote fill posts.

(This article compiled using information from a Vocational Energy press release)

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The new purchase order is for Quantum’s line of large-diameter carbon composite tanks developed specifically to mount on the frame rail in Class 6-8 heavy duty truck applications. Quantum and Agility have jointly developed and are patenting an innovative mounting system to enhance the safety and durability of on-board fuel storage tanks under extended vibrations, accelerations and shock loads. The tanks with their new design features will be available from Agility in their integrated systems starting in August 2012.

Barry Engle, CEO of Agility, said, “Our OEM and fleet customers know their vehicles will operate under the most demanding conditions. So we are pleased to be able to offer them this industry leading tank from Quantum that was developed specifically to meet their needs for weight, range, cost and safety.”

“We appreciate Agility’s continued high interest in our lightweight natural gas tanks, and for jointly developing an innovative mounting system that has been well received by heavy duty trucking firms,” said Brian Olson, Quantum’s CEO. “We expect the increase in demand for Quantum’s natural gas tanks to continue to accelerate, as more fleets realize the true cost benefits of using clean, domestic natural gas as a transportation fuel.”

(This article compiled using information from a Quantum Fuel System technologies press release)

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“This new fueling facility will give us the direct capability to fuel a CNG fleet in the Columbus area, and with the CNG fleet, we’ll lower our fleet emissions, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This demonstrates our commitment to being a positive environmental contributor to the communities we serve,” said Frank Fello, Senior District Manager for Waste Management of Ohio.

“The transitioning of our 55 trucks to CNG fits within our sustainability goals and our company’s overall strategy to minimize our environmental footprint,” Fello added.

By late this summer, 25 new CNG trucks are expected to arrive. The transition of the rest of the fleet to CNG will occur over the next couple years.

The trucks will emit nearly zero air particulates and up to 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The engines also run quieter than traditional diesel engines, reducing noise during collection operations on community streets. The trucks, which use a “slow-fill” method, carry approximately 50 gallons of CNG. This capacity allows them to run 10 to 12 hours and complete a typical day’s waste or recycling collection route.

Waste Management’s fleet of about 1,500 CNG and liquefied (LNG) vehicles is the largest in the North American waste industry. As part of the company’s annual fleet conversion, Waste Management expects 80 percent of its new collection vehicle purchases to be natural gas powered trucks. It currently has natural gas fueling stations at 27 facilities throughout North America and more under development.

(This article compiled using information from a Waste Management press release)

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The company says natural gas is approximately 40 per cent less expensive than diesel. This could help reduce the cost of public services such as waste collection and transit and increase the competitiveness of B.C. businesses by reducing transport costs for goods.

“All gas utility customers will benefit from the additional volumes of natural gas moving through FortisBC’s pipeline system,” said Stout. “The costs of maintaining the pipeline system are recovered in the delivery rates of all customers. Better year-round, optimization of these pipeline assets, especially during the summer months when heating requirements are reduced, will result in a long-term, positive impact for our customers.”

FortisBC will be applying to the B.C. Utilities Commission for a determination on how program costs will be recovered from all gas utility customers. It is anticipated that the long-term effect of the program will be a positive impact to customers’ delivery rates.

“FortisBC’s new program will help build B.C.’s global leadership in clean transportation and could lead to the conversion of approximately 1,500 vehicles, bringing new jobs and other economic opportunities to B.C.,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Natural gas is a cheaper, cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel and this program will encourage more companies to take advantage of natural gas.”

During the initial phase of the program, FortisBC will provide up to 80 per cent of new incentives for the incremental cost of a natural gas vehicle. FortisBC’s plan is to decrease the funding by 10 per cent per each following year of the program as the adoption of natural gas vehicles in heavy-duty transportation increases. As natural gas fuel use in the heavy-duty transportation sector matures over time, FortisBC believes that incentives will no longer be necessary. Although the incentive program is expected to expire in 2017, utility customers and British Columbians will continue to benefit as the adoption of natural gas vehicles increases.

Eligible applicants for this program are commercial, return-to-base fleet operators of:

• heavy-duty trucking (highway transport tractors)
• buses (transit, school)
• vocational vehicles (refuse trucks, delivery vehicles)
• marine vessels (ferries)

FortisBC is intending to begin accepting applications in early June. Full program details and updates are available at fortisbc.com/ngt.

This article compiled using information supplied by FortisBC.

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“These product enhancements are in direct response to requests from customers that operate their trucks in the most demanding of applications, and further validate that Westport’s HD15L natural gas engine offers diesel-like performance in any environment,” said Clark Quintin, President of Westport HD.

Apart from the higher horsepower and torque, other product enhancements are:

• Eaton Ultrashift Plus AMT – the automated manual transmission is now available in all Kenworth and Peterbilt configurations in North America for fleets that desire additional driver options.
• Heavy Front End – available on Peterbilt Motors’ 367 SB; Westport HD now offers 16,000 lb front axles as demanded by a number of vocational applications.
• Emissions Aftertreatment Improvements – the Westport HD 15L will feature an optimized emissions equipment system, tailored specifically to the lower emissions profile of natural gas to reduce cost and weight, improve operation and reduce user intervention. Availability of these enhancements will commence during 2013.

“We are building on our established leadership in technology development to deliver improved horsepower, torque, and fuel efficiency using low-cost natural gas, and are ideally situated to respond to the demands of the marketplace,” Quintin added.

“Westport is delivering on customer need by providing the most extensive natural gas offerings in the heavy duty transportation market today,” said Bill Kozek Vice President PACCAR / General Manager Peterbilt Motors Company. “Peterbilt applauds Westport’s commitment to ongoing development and improvements in natural gas engine technology, by providing the highest horsepower and torque rate available.”

Speaking about the Kenworth T800 chassis with Westport HD15L LNG power, Gary Moore, Vice President PACCAR / General Manager Kenworth Truck Company said; “The T800 has been a very successful platform for customers seeking to reduce emissions and save money while operating on natural gas with Westport HD’s high performance 15L product. These enhancements will further expand the target customers looking for diesel performance on LNG.”

(This article compiled using information from a Westport Innovations Inc. press release)

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Announced by the Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman, this regulation allows utility companies to deliver natural gas transportation programs, including the opportunities to:

• Offer incentives to transportation fleets that would use natural gas, such as buses, trucks or ferries.
• Build, own and operate compressed natural gas fuelling stations or liquefied natural gas fuelling stations.
• Provide training and upgrades to maintenance facilities to safely maintain natural gas-powered vehicles.

“It makes sense to develop a market for natural gas transportation here in B.C. by using our abundant natural gas reserves. This regulation will help us build on our global leadership in clean transportation, bringing new jobs and more economic opportunities to the province,” said Minister Coleman.

Natural Gas and Oil Resources in British Columbia (Source: Ministry of Energy and Mines)

These programs will increase options and opportunities for the transportation industry to use natural gas, a cheaper and cleaner option than traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel. By encouraging the use of natural gas, the Province is making use of one of B.C.’s natural resources. The use of natural gas in transportation supports economic development and new jobs at B.C.-based natural gas technology and services companies.

In developing this regulation, the Province consulted with about 20 organizations including utilities, fleet companies, communities, fuel suppliers and the natural gas vehicle industry.

Alicia Milner, president of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA), commented: “British Columbia took a bold step forward today with the announcement of a transformational program linking the Province’s economic interests in the supply chain for natural gas, natural gas vehicles, and stations with its GHG reduction goals. This remarkable program is a first for Canada. It  leverages work that is already underway through the Canadian Roadmap initiative to remove barriers and educate fleet owners. It also gives British Columbia a huge head-start in the race to more sustainable, lower carbon transportation.”

Likewise, natural gas engine manufacturer Westport Innovations believes this important program will benefit British Columbia’s economy, environment and transportation options for industry.

“This is a positive step that will promote the use of domestic BC natural gas as a transportation fuel, and generate both environmental and economic benefits for our province and residents,” said David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations. “British Columbia is home to world-class companies that both generate and use natural gas transportation technology, and this program will allow the accelerated adoption of natural gas heavy-duty vehicles.”

Promoting natural gas as a transportation fuel is a key action in British Columbia’s Natural Gas Strategy. The CNGVA says the total Canadian natural gas resource (not including methane hydrates) is now estimated at approximately 100 years of supply at current demand levels.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines lists the following ‘quick facts’:

• The regulation permits a utility to spend up to $62 million on vehicle and ferry incentives, up to $12 million on compressed natural gas fuelling stations and up to $30.5 million on liquefied natural gas stations, for a total of $104.5 million.
• The Province will require annual reporting on the programs being offered to review success and determine if any changes are required.
• Natural gas is 25 per cent to 40 per cent cheaper than gasoline and diesel.
• A natural gas-powered vehicle produces 20 per cent to 30 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to a gasoline or diesel vehicle.
• British Columbia is home to world-leading natural gas vehicle industries, including engine and refuelling technology.
• The Province is offering incentives to provide up to $2,500 off the sticker price for qualifying compressed natural gas vehicles. This is being offered through the $14.3 million Clean Energy Vehicle Program, announced in November 2011.

(This article primarily compiled using information from a Ministry of Energy and Mines press release)

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“By investing in more environmentally friendly natural gas filling stations GAZPROM makes an important contribution to the development of ecological mobility in Germany,” said Vyacheslav Krupenkov, chief executive of Gazprom Germania GmbH.

Dr. Olaf Rumberg, director of erdgas gas-mobil and managing director, E.ON Gas Mobil, says the work of the association has helped to shape the structure of the German refuelling network significantly. Referring to Gazprom’s proposed investments, “It shows that the concept as such has success and engages another large company that wants to be in this area,” he said.

“The initiative has already implemented some 480 projects, equivalent to more than half of all gas stations in Germany. For 2012, some 25 new gas pumps are planned,” Rumberg added. At the end of 2011 there are about 900 natural gas filling stations in the country.

In addition to assisting with planning the construction and operation of gas stations, erdgas-mobil also offers expertise in the areas of maintenance contracts, plant management and technical concepts.

(This article primarily compiled using information from a Gazprom Germania GmbH press release)

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