NGVAmerica News Week in Review: July 10, 2017

• Kenworth Expands Availability of ISL G Near Zero Emissions Natural Gas Engine
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory to Host Upcoming NGV Research Workshop
• Cummins Westport Features 2018 B6.7N Natural Gas Engine at STN
• EPA Proposes Change to Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes for 2018
• Partnership Aims to Develop Renewable Natural Gas Fueling in France
• Viking Line’s Contract for New LNG Ship Moves Forward

Kenworth Expands Availability of ISL G Near Zero Emissions Natural Gas Engine

July 5, 2017

Kenworth’s T680 on-highway flagship and T880 and T880S vocational models are now available to order with the Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero NOx emissions natural gas engine.

The ISL G NZ engines are 90 percent lower than the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, and also meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas emission requirements. The new engine uses advanced engine calibration, a unique maintenance-free, three-way catalyst after-treatment system, and a closed crankcase ventilation system to help achieve this reduction, while still delivering 320 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

The engine operates on 100 percent natural gas in the form of CNG or LNG, and it is also compatible with renewable natural gas (RNG), which can provide even further reductions in GHG emissions.

“The Kenworth T680 and T880 specified with the ISL G Near Zero emissions engine are ideal for regional haul, vocational and refuse fleets focused on decreasing their environmental impact and reducing operating costs,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.

Kenworth showcased a new Kenworth T880S mixer – its first truck equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero emissions engine – in partnership with CalPortland and McNeilus at the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in May in Long Beach, California.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory to Host Upcoming NGV Research Workshop

July 7, 2017

The U.S Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Vehicle Technologies Office is seeking input from NGV stakeholders to understand and prioritize the research needs necessary to increase the efficiency and reduce emissions of medium and heavy duty NGVs.

The DOE and teams at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Argonne National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will be hosting an open meeting at NREL in Golden, Colorado on Tuesday July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The meeting will be structured around facilitated discussion on several NGV topic areas and will consist of a brief presentation of recent and current research, followed by a discussion by participants on key emerging research needs and priorities. The meeting is intended to inform a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement that will be issued later this year.

The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill recommends that up to $15 million be appropriated to the Department of energy in FY17 for medium and heavy duty on-road natural gas engine research and development.
Discussion topics will address opportunities for research that can shift the paradigm for NGV technology, such as:

Engine efficiency: Improving efficiency from spark ignition natural gas engines, lean natural gas controls, lubricants, advanced low temperature combustion

Emissions and After-treatment Technologies: Reducing criteria pollutants, low NOx technology, ammonia/unregulated emissions controls, natural gas tailored after-treatment, cold start emission improvements

Fuel System Enhancements and onboard storage: Fuel quality, natural gas composition control, renewable natural gas, right sizing natural gas tanks, injectors and direct injection technology, high pressure fuel delivery to enable advanced combustion.

Please visit the event website for information and to register.

Cummins Westport Features 2018 B6.7N Natural Gas Engine at STN

July 10, 2017

Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) is featuring the new B6.7N natural gas engine at the School Transportation News Conference and Trade Show taking place this week in Reno, Nevada. CWI will display the B6.7N engine that forms part of Cummins Westport’s new 2018 product line, continuing the evolution of emissions leadership for on-highway natural gas engines. The 6.7-liter midrange, factory-built natural gas engine is certified to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Optional Low NOx emissions standard of 0.1 g/bhp-hr—50 percent lower NOx emissions than current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Rated up to 240 hp, with 560 lb-ft torque, the 2018 B6.7N will also include on-board diagnostics, a closed crankcase ventilation system, and a new engine control module. With performance and reliability improvements, the B6.7N offers school fleets a low cost option for targeting ultra-low emissions.

“We expect the demand for school buses to increase in 2018 as more districts seek to accelerate their emissions reduction strategies,” said Rob Neitzke, President of Cummins Westport. “The Cummins Westport B6.7N is a natural choice, offering customers a low emissions reliable product operating on domestically available natural gas.”

As with the other CWI engines, the B6.7N will continue to use a maintenance-free three-way catalyst for consistent emissions control, with no diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction required. Customers can choose to fuel with CNG, LNG or RNG. Manufactured at the Cummins midrange engine plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the B6.7N comes with two years base warranty, with parts and service support by Cummins Sales and Service.

EPA Proposes Change to Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes for 2018

July 5, 2017

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a proposed rule setting the minimum amount of renewable fuels that must be supplied to the market in calendar year 2018 under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program. Renewable natural gas qualifies under the federal program as a cellulosic fuel and as an advanced biofuel.

Today’s action proposes volume requirements and associated percentage standards that maintain renewable fuel volumes at levels comparable to the 2017 standards, recognizing limits to the growth of cellulosic and advanced biofuels.

The proposed volumes are based on requirements under the law and an analysis of current market dynamics, including energy demand, biofuel production, and market constraints. The proposed standards will help stabilize the renewable fuels program and provide certainty for stakeholders.

“Increased fuel security is an important component of the path toward American energy dominance,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We are proposing new volumes consistent with market realities focused on actual production and consumer demand while being cognizant of the challenges that exist in bringing advanced biofuels into the marketplace.”

Some key elements of the recent action:

• Non-advanced or “conventional” renewable fuel volumes are maintained at the 15-billion gallon target set by Congress.
• EPA is beginning technical analysis that will inform a future rule to reset the statutory volumes for cellulosic, advanced, and total biofuels. The law requires this reset when certain conditions are met.

Proposed and Final Renewable Fuel Volume Requirements for 2014-2019:

*Biomass-based diesel standard is final for 2018.

For more information, visit the EPA website.

Partnership Aims to Develop Renewable Natural Gas Fueling in France

July 4, 2017

Carrefour and ENGIE inaugurated a public natural gas station at La Courneuve in the Paris region. Carrefour, the leading French food retailer, and GNVERT, a subsidiary of the ENGIE Group, which for almost 20 years has been the leading company in France for the distribution of alternative fuels, are realizing their collaboration to develop renewable natural gas fuel in over-the-road goods movement.

Pioneers in France, Carrefour and GNVERT, back in 2013, innovated and tested the use of RNG for the road haulage of goods. Bolstered by the success of the tests carried out, Carrefour has decided to accelerate the deployment of these clean and quiet vehicles with the goal, by the end of 2017, of opening nine service stations allowing 200 trucks to deliver to 250 urban stores in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille. The station of La Courneuve is the first to be inaugurated.

The choice of RNG is part of Carrefour’s ambitious transport policy which aims by 2025 to achieve a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per pallet carried compared to 2010. The trucks using this biofuel have shown an excellent environmental performance with a 75 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, no fine particle pollution and a 50 percent reduction in noise pollution.

“The reduction in CO2 emissions and fine particle pollution is a major issue for society and we must act collectively to overcome this challenge,” said Florence Batchourine, Carrefour France Supply Chain Director. “That is why Carrefour and ENGIE are deploying biomethane widely in France and are opening up their refueling network to all transport actors.”

Viking Line’s Contract for New LNG Ship Moves Forward

July 5, 2017

Viking Line says the Chinese company Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd has met all conditions in the shipbuilding contract for a new LNG-powered passenger cruise ship to operate between Finland and Sweden. The ship has a planned delivery in 2020.

The total contract amount is about $221 million, and the agreement also includes an option for another vessel. The new vessel will be a collaborative project, and the plan is to engage a number of Finnish and other European suppliers. The energy-efficient vessel will have a passenger capacity of 2,800 people.