The link is to a Westport Innovations press release. Westport Innovations identifies itself as the global leader in natural gas engines. Of note, the company offers 15-liter natural gas engines for the heavy-duty trucking market.
Others will be interested in the financial statement. This is why it interested me: it helps bring me up to date on natural gas corridors in the United States and in Europe:
US
The growth in natural gas infrastructure has been significant in 2012 compared to 2011.
Clean Energy Fuels has been actively developing the America's Natural Gas Highway with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling stations at strategic locations along major interstate trucking corridors.
Shell and its affiliates have signed a memorandum of understanding with TravelCenters of America to sell LNG to heavy-duty road transport customers in the U.S. through TA's existing nationwide network of full-service fuelling centres.
Other fuel providers such as Encana, FortisBC, and Gaz Metro have built permanent LNG refueling stations for Westport 15L fleets.
New fuel providers such as Blu, have built two LNG stations in Utah.
In addition, Conoco Phillips has expressed interest in building a small-scale natural gas liquefaction facility to manufacture up to 100,000 gallons per day of LNG to supply truck fleets in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.EUROPE
A combined effort by major European gas companies, vehicle manufacturers and natural gas vehicle (NGV) associations have resulted in the Blue Corridor initiative to expand the NGV fueling station network in Europe. This 16 million Euros project is funded by the European Commission and 28 project partners.
In addition, in January, the European Commission announced an ambitious package of measures to ensure the build-up of alternative fuel stations across Europe. The proposal includes that by 2020, refuelling stations for trucks are installed every 400 km along the roads; and that by 2020 and 2025, LNG refuelling stations be installed in all 139 maritime and inland ports, respectively, on the Trans European Core Network.I can't speak to Westport itself, but the buildout of American and European LNG corridors is exciting. Little by little, maybe we're getting somewhere.
Love's buying 50 12 liter cummins Westport Freightliner tankers to deliver gas and diesel to itself in Texas and Oklahoma. Building CNG retail attruck stops in DFW, SAT, HOU, to go with OKC where it has been doing this since summer.
ReplyDeleteThey use their trucks as the first key customer. This works.
Loves.com
Anon 1
Ps. This is what Aubrey started in 2011-2012. Thank you Aubrey and CHK.
Fascinating, isn't it? (Rhetorical, no answer.)
ReplyDeleteI find it incredible what is happening just under the radar in this country; absolutely fascinating.
Saw a study where the feds provided funding for natural gas fueling on the interstate corridor between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Diesel engines on long haul trucks had been retrofitted for natural gas. Results not as positive as one would think. Additional weight and capacity for lower BTU content of the natural gas versus regular diesel was a big issue; also refueling is done under pressure and is not simple, requiring protective clothing, shielding and other specialized equipment. I like the idea of using natural gas for land transport, but the transition is not seamless.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
DeleteIf it was easy, the free market would have migrated to natural gas a long time ago ... and without government subsidies.
However, I can imagine the day when it will be routine for the trucker to go inside for a shower, nice meal, some surfing on the internet, while a shielded professional washes his/her cab and refuels the truck.
The additional weight, lower BTU, etc., is, of course, more concerning but if the cost savings are there ...
LNG is cold and has the special fueling requirements.
ReplyDeleteCNG requires a connection that can be taught in 30 seconds to any driver.
CNG is easier to use, but less dense.
LNG often arrives on a truck. CNG is compressed on site.
LNG is most suited for heavy use.
Heckmann bought a fleet of Westport 15L trucks. Peterbuilt. For water hauling. Without naming customers, Westport has higher than planned warrantee expense. The water trucks going 24/7 over rough roads in rough weather were not like the port of LA trucks with easy roads and conditions. It has been a good, expensive lesson. Westport has been improving the engines to deal with what they learned.
Some LNG, but mostly CNG, is about half of the new garbage truck market. The first cement mixer truck was just announced. Train engines may be big by 2017. Tests now. Ocean shipping, mining trucks, etc. on the way.
A lot of stuff is here: http://www.youtube.com/westportdotcom
anon 1
Thank you. Very, very interesting about garbage truck market; makes sense. And, of course, interstate will not be an issue. Again, thanks.
DeleteTeaching someone to refuel in 30 seconds ... that reminds me of the commercials for the hybrids .... some say they refuel their gasoline tanks so seldom they almost forget how to "gas up."
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