$50 Billion for CNG

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Comment by Dave Clement on October 20, 2009 at 2:53pm

CNG National RoadshowClick here for the website and schedeule
Starting next month, several CNG vehicles will travel accross the USA showcasing natural gas vehicles, please help if it comes to your area!!

Comment by Mark Feagins on June 2, 2009 at 11:16am

In 2005, Volvo Cars (a division of Ford Motor) hit its tenth year of producing bi-fuel passenger cars. Since production of its current generation of bi-fuel engines began in 2001, Volvo has sold some 12,000 bi-fuel vehicles in Europe (7,500 powered by methane and 4,500 by LPG).

Volvo offers a five-cylinder 2.4 liter Bi-Fuel engine for its Volvo S80, V70 and S60 models with separate fuel systems, one for gas and another for gasoline. The engine automatically switches to the back-up gasoline power should the car’s gas supply run out.

Typically, a tank of methane will give a range of 250-300 km, and the reserve petrol tank provides an additional range of about 350 km.

Natural gas for vehicles is available in most European countries, with a total of about 2,000 public filling stations. The number is growing rapidly, especially in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Sweden, Italy and Germany are Volvo’slargest bi-fuel markets.

A few datapoints:

In Germany, three new natural gas filling stations open every week.

Italy has some 400,000 natural gas vehicles on the road.

Growth in Switzerland is rapid, both for vehicles (+62%) and refueling stations (+80%).

Methane is usually from the earth’s crust in the form of natural gas by drilling. It can also be produced as biogas from waste sludge and biological waste.

Up to now, biogas has been produced on a small scale but interest in this cleaner fuel is growing. Sweden—Volvo’s home country—provides a good example of how biogas is produced from waste and is systematically added to the existing distribution of natural gas.

A bi-fuel Volvo driven on biogas reduces net greenhouse gas emissions by close to 100%, while driving on natural gas reduces greenhouse gas carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25%, compared to gasoline.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/03/volvorsquos_10y.html

Comment by Jeff Greene on February 10, 2009 at 8:35am

CNG Supporters really need to visit http://wot.motortrend.com/6438682/green/mercedes-benz-considers-natural-gas-powered-car-for-us-wants-your-input/page2.html#comments and post a comment supporting Mercedes-Benz request for input on whether or not to build a CNG Mercedes. I would recommend requesting a bi-fuel version to eliminate infrastructure objections.

You do have to register to post your comment. I spoke directly with Consumer Relations at Mercedes-Benz today and they are using the comments to further their study. After 6 days there are only 22 comments and not all of them support CNG.

Please spread the word. We need to see thousands of comments, not dozens.

Comment by Dave Clement on February 3, 2009 at 11:11am

Please join us for a kickoff luncheon for Pima Association of Governments' Sustainability and Energy Expo. Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica (Natural Gas Vehicles), will present "America's Fuel: Natural Gas, The Right Choice Right Now" at noon, March 6, at the Manning House.
NGVAmerica is a national organization dedicated to the development of a growing, sustainable and profitable market for vehicles powered by natural gas and biomethane. NGVAmerica represents more than 100 engine, vehicle and equipment manufacturers; fleet operators and service providers, natural gas companies, and environmental groups and government organizations interested in the promotion and use of natural gas and biomethane as transportation fuels.
Prior to joining the NGVAmerica in 1996, Mr. Kolodziej was group vice president of the American Gas Association where he held a number of senior positions including vice president of planning, vice president of communications, and senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Mr. Kolodziej serves on committees of a number of energy and alternative fuel vehicle organizations. He is the president of the International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles, president of the American Biogas Alliance and a member of the Alternative Fuels Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the National Energy Foundation, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
RSVP by Feb. 20. (Cost is $40 per person and $400 per table). Please print out invitation and mail back the bottom portion with your payment or credit card information or call 729-1093, ext. 423, to reserve your seat today!
Ensuring a reliable energy supply for American has never been a more timely topic. Hope you can join us to hear what a leader at the front lines of the energy transformation has to say!
Sheila Storm
Communications Director
177 N. Church Ave., Suite 405
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 792-1093
PAG's Sustainability and Energy EXP09 Coming Soon! More than 5,000 people are expected to visit the EXPO at the TCC on March 6 and 7. Join us for a film festival, expert panel discussions on green building, living sustainably and more, and see our display of alternatively fueled vehicles. Raffle prizes include a scooter! For details, visit www.TucsonAltEnergyExpo.com or www.PAGnet.org.

Comment by younkin on January 27, 2009 at 8:05am

The summer of 2008
A true CNG Story

Have you ever had your computer crash? What did you do? Did you reboot it? Did you reformat the hard drive? Or did you call one of your sons friends who was sort of a Nerd and let him do his magic and get it fixed? As we all know mechanical and electronic devices have problems and wear out eventually. For the past 35 years of my life I have been repairing cars, Over this time I have met many mechanics and there are only a few who rise to the top of their field. This is because they have a natural ability to understand mechanical problems and the patience and technical ability to repair cars. Over my lifetime the automobile has went from a simple machine with very few electronic parts to a sophisticated mechanical machine with more computers and sensors than a NASA Rocket Ship. The general public still looks to these few Trained and Certified Technicians to solve their Mechanical and Electronic problems on their Cars.

Many of these talented Technicians here in Utah saw the introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Vehicles as an opportunity to help motorists do something good for the consumer and good for the environment. It was a Win situation for both the installer and the consumer, or so it seemed? These New CNG car owners would be able to burn clean Natural Gas, a fuel source that we have plenty of here in Utah, a fuel source that is low priced. A fuel source that burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. Instead of being patted on the back for getting their Safety training in CNG, collecting CNG products and installing CNG kits these Technicians were painted as Criminals by the press and others.

Let’s take a look at the Modern CNG Industry as a whole, where did all of the current CNG Vehicles come from? Most of the Dedicated (CNG only) and Bi-fuel (both CNG and Gasoline) vehicles on the road today were built and converted over the past 15 years by Car Companies and Private Retrofitters. Most of these conversions were spawned out of Mandates and Directives from the Government in order to clean up our Air. As the CNG Industry in the US grew and the vehicles got more complicated the older CNG kits were not sophisticated enough for these newer vehicles the older CNG systems were replaced with modern more tunable Kits. Around this time the EPA noticed that some of these conversions were burning dirtier than their Gasoline counterparts so directives were issued whereby the offending Vehicles could be monitored. The older CNG systems were good for their time but as the Vehicles themselves got more sophisticated more tunable CNG kits were introduced. Many of these kits came from companies outside the United State who had been producing these kits for many years. For a while it was profitable for CNG Kit manufacturers to get their Kits EPA Approved, there were plenty of fleets who needed their kits (Government mandates etc.) and the installers and consumers were in some cases receiving rebates and incentives from the federal and state government for theses conversions. As the Vehicles got more sophisticated and the rebates and incentives dried up it was no longer profitable for the Kit Producers to certify their kits, a single certification is only good for one vehicle, one engine family for one year, then the next years the process needs to be repeated.

Now comes the famous Summer of 2008, the gasoline prices are tripled, the consumers are squeezed and here in Utah we have a clean burning money saving Alternative, CNG. As the car dealers began pulling in overpriced factory converted vehicles the Independent Repair Facilities began training their technicians and searching for CNG kits to install.


World wide the United States is behind the curve when it comes to CNG Conversions. As we try to catch up with the rest of the world and help clear the air. As we go into this New Year we need to rethink our approach to CNG Conversions. We need to work together, all CNG Shops, those who install Certified (EPA) and Imported (non certified) kits. We can all come together and help each other. The Certified Kits need Safety Checking and testing from time to time, some older systems may need to be retrofitted with an Imported kit. We need to share tuning information and mantainence schedules. The Imported kit conversions need to be checked for Safety and Emissions.

Each individual State needs to Certify and Safety Check the CNG Vehicles within their borders. At this time the EPA Certification Process is cumbersome, antiquated and not flexible enough to keep up with the current influx of CNG Conversions. People need to be able to convert what ever vehicle they are driving, not just the Fords and Chevy’s that the government and state fleets have been driving. The Citizens want CNG, the Politicians want CNG, the Pickens People want CNG, and those driving gas guzzlers want relief through CNG.
There is an answer:
1) Streamline the conversion and certification process.
2) Create an Emission testing program tighter than the original EPA Standard.
3) Create a Safety standard for all CNG Vehicles and systems.
4) Let the State implement and regulate this program using the Certified Automotive Technicians of the State.
5) Create a board of Certified Technicians to help train others in the testing and repair of CNG systems.
6) Implement these programs using existing Safety and Emission stations.

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 18, 2009 at 12:38pm

We have the Miami area. Meeting with the EPA this week. Conversions at $3000-3400 including storage and installation....

Comment by younkin on December 20, 2008 at 6:20am

I have been busy over the past few months, I continue to promote my CNG business Younkincng, Sign up for my free CNG newsletter at younkincng.com To date I have installed 5 CNG Kits, 2 extra tank install and helped to program 8 kits both Sequential and Asperated. I look forward to a big year for 2009 as far as CNG Business. Jim
801 427 2284
younkincng@gmail.com
younkincng.com

Comment by ML Hayes on October 23, 2008 at 11:54am

50Billion Dollar.zip

Here is something for you Mark.

I know that you will know what to do with it!

MLH

Comment by Tom on October 18, 2008 at 10:02am

Perhaps btu is the current pricing stratagy but when Natural gas initially spiked we were burning oil for heating at a much lower cost and shut down our natural gas boiler. Right now oil is significantly higher then natural gas for heating but natural gas prices are more than triple what they were in 2000. Are natural gas suppliers currently reaping or raping benefits from high oil costs? Are they doing the same thing as oil companies? Maybe there is some tax funding there from excess profits.

I don't know why having CNG at all gas stations is not feasible. Does anyone know the cost of such an install? The vast majority of stations have local gas lines nearby so access shouldn't be the issue. Accounting for only with in municiple areas isn't going to get it done. I could convert but if I have to seek out stations and plan trips around where there are stations I just don't see people making the jump. It has to be not only convienent but also cost effective to the consumer if you want to have an impact.

Where are all the natural gas companies on this? Seems to me they'll benefit significantly from this shift to CNG. Seems also that they could and should be providing some human and financial resources to making this feasible and getting legislation thru.

Comment by Mark Feagins on October 17, 2008 at 12:43pm

Initially, we can't count on CNG on every corner. I see a CNG progam working for the daily commuter in a large Metro area that passes 1 (maybe 2) existing CNG stations over their daily commute. As demand grows, the refuelers will expand, but they won't spring up prior to. Municipal vehicles and postal carriers would be a good market to go after and the municipality would likely fund a station. In a Metrol Area, this could represent 10 to 12 stations in each suburb.

From my understanding, we have trillions and trillions of new gas discoveries. According to Chesapeake Energy, it is abundant. I thought the gas prices soared due to the equivalent BTU energy pricing schedule. I'll have to do some research on this, but the new supply of the Barnett-shale discovery in TX should have cut the price in half because of the new supply. But, the BTU equivalent pricing keeps the price supported with oil ( based on equivalent BTU energy).

Interestingly, Ford and GM and other car companies have CNG production models in other countries that run on CNG. Therefore, the OEM, ( Original Equipment Manufacturers ) equipment exists without using aftermarket kits. If I was a US car company, I'd be trying to make money any I could. I'd be putting people back to work and converting cars as fast as I could. I contend that the oil companies have played a role in ( with the gov't's help ) to maintain oil as the primary fuel source. The people who have gone another direction have been welcome to do so at their own expense. Well, protecting the oil companies means also protecting OPEC. And, you see what that got us. I truly resent the tax cuts the oil companies will continue to get......because they are spending billions to buy back their stock instead of using that money to invest inalternative energy.

Under this plan, Joe six-pack will not pay for it. The gov't will deposit $$ into an account with a Government Sponsored Entity to manage the conversions. Joe will apply for a conversion based on his average usage. The GSE would issue Joe a voucher to give to the CNG installer. The installer gets paid by the GSE. Each time he fills up, he pays a $1.00 per gallon on the CNG to cover his conversion cost. In time, his convesion will be paid for and will be buying energy at the wholesale CNG rate.

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