Wednesday, January 29, 2014

It’s a Short-Term Weather-Related Phenomenon, Say Proponents, More Autogas Would Boost Infrastructure, Reduce Seasonal Spikes

Abnormally high propane prices are the result of serious, but short-term influences and are likely to abate soon, say proponents of the vehicle fuel they market as autogas. And, they say, more use of propane autogas would improve the situation: vehicles run year-round, and would spur investment in the infrastructure that would help prevent winter price spikes like this one.


Propane spot prices have topped $5 per gallon in some areas, with the frigid Midwest getting the worst. The Indiana Department of Transportation, which has some 1,200 propane-gasoline bi-fuel vehicles, is running them on gasoline only. Fleets are concerned, even in Oregon.
Sources agree that increased demand during a cold wet harvest season hit export-deleted inventories hard, making for supply shortfalls and, inevitably, higher prices as winter kicked in, replete with a record-setting “arctic blast.” The diversion of pipeline and railcar capacity to shale-related products has aggravated the propane situation too, says one expert.

Consumers and Farmers Bearing the Brunt
“All these things have just combined,” says Tucker Perkins of the Propane Education & Research Council. The result is higher prices and a scarcity of fuel hitting consumers and pig and poultry farmers in cold-weather areas.

“There is a legitimate concern regarding the availability of propane right now but the primary focus of our industry is to make sure that customers who rely on propane have the fuel they need,” says Stuart Weidie, president of both Blossman Gas and the Alliance AutoGas network of propane vehicle upfitter and fuel suppliers.
“Companies like Blossman Gas and our Alliance member network have had strong plans in place to deal with potential supply disruptions,” Weidie says. “The issue is not one of abundance but rather logistics of getting supply where it is needed.” Read more here.

Propane Brain Freeze

Roy Willis, CEO, Propane Education & Research Council
In the last few weeks I’ve been bombarded by questions from reporters, as have many others in the propane industry.

I’ve explained how record crop drying and plunging temperatures have caused propane demand to surge, how even temporary pipeline, gas processing, and refinery shutdowns disrupted propane production, and how difficult it has been getting the pipeline capacity, trucks, and rail cars to move propane from where it is stored to where it is needed, and how available supplies are shrinking fast.

Here’s one account.

“How can this be happening?” the reporter asked. “Looking at the data, I see that the United States is producing more propane than at any time in the last 10 years, more than enough propane to supply the country’s needs.”

“You’re right,” I responded. “It’s just that a great deal of that propane is not in the United States any more. It’s being exported as fast as dock space can be built.”

“You cannot be serious!” the reporter said.

“Yes, we exported nearly twice as much in 2013 as we did in 2012, and more that year than in 2011,” I explained. “In less than a decade propane exports went from practically zero to a volume equal to about half the size of the country’s retail demand.”

“Doesn’t the government regulate exports of propane like it does oil and natural gas?” the reporter continued.

“No,” I said.

“Why not?” he shot back.

“That’s a question for Congress and the Administration,” I said.

He looked at me quizzically, as if searching for the next question. “Look,” I said, “propane is considered a byproduct of oil and natural gas and is only about 2 percent of the energy America uses, so it doesn’t get the kind of policy attention that other big-volume fuels do.”

“Should it?” he asked.

“Yes! Propane is used in every segment of the economy — residential, commercial, agriculture, transportation, power generation, and industrial uses,” I replied. “Millions of Americans rely on it to meet basic energy needs. It can do things and go places other fuels don’t. Propane is different from other natural gas and oil byproducts, and we should consider treating it differently. If we don’t, the situation could get worse and more costly.”

I could go on, but there’s another reporter on the line. Read more here.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

What Rick Sikes and Joe Stergios say about managing green fleets

I would suggest that you take an hour and listen to the webinar from last week sponsored by 2014 ACT Expo and featuring Rick Sikes, feet superintendent for the City of Santa Monica, and Joe Stergios, area sales manager for Enterprise Fleet Management. Their experience and expertise is quite impressive, and it points toward what can be shared at ACT Expo in a few months. Sikes has been at it since the early 1990s and now has a 78% green vehicles in its 800 unit fleet, with natural gas vehicles making up about half of its fleet and electric vehicles (EVs), propane, hybrids, and hydrogen making up the rest of the green vehicles. Stergios works for Enterprise, which has the world’s largest private fleet with about 1.4 million vehicles on roads; the company serves about 9,000 commercial and government fleet accounts. Hybrids, EVs, and compressed natural gas vehicles are what Enterprise has been testing out on the rental and fleet sides. Enterprise’s alternative fuel vehicle experience increased four years ago when the company adopted an environmental stewardship initiative with the assistance of the CICS sustainability consulting agency.




Here are some of the more interesting points they made:
Sikes: Having a written policy on alternative fuels is important tied into strategic objectives like reducing fossil fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With that, keeping an accurate inventory of the vehicles and their fuel use is important. Where and how its fueled onsite and offsite; making better use of under-utilized assets can free up capital and make operations more efficient.
Stergios: Creating a total cost of ownership (TCO) model is an important part of managing the assets. There are five aspects that need to be analyzed – acquisition, funding, compliance, operation, and remarketing. Those go into the TCO model and show you where the best fleet decisions are being made for the vehicle’s lifecycle. Stergios showed a chart with an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid, clean diesel, hybrid, and fuel efficient car for comparison – they came out very close to each other. Trucks are in the same realm lately – where gasoline, bi-fuel CNG, and diesel are very close to one another on a financial level.
Sikes: Grant funding is bringing down the lifecycle costs of these vehicles, so you need to do your research. When asked whether he’s seeing the 50 cent per gallon equivalent for natural gas affecting fuel prices, he’s not seeing that happen. His fleet doesn’t buy off local pumps; they may see it in the future but he doesn’t have a sense of how much they’re passing it on to customers lately.
Stergios: Enterprise managers turn about 700,000 vehicles a year and most all of them are at risk units; it’s still a bit early to get accurate readings on where green vehicles are going in resale values – if anyone has insight on that one, he’d like to hear from them. (Santa Monica keeps its vehicles 12 to 14 years, so Sikes doesn’t have much to share on this topic, though five-to-eight year turn-ins are common for other fleets, he says.)
Sikes: Santa Monica is looking at bringing in extended range trucks from Via Motors. He likes the low maintenance that EVs have to offer, but is concerned about the range anxiety, so the 40 miles on electric and then the extended range on Via pickups and vans are interesting to him.
Stergios: Complying with California regulations can be tricky especially when a green vehicle might lack CARB and EPA conformity. Certification with CARB is starting to get a bit easier with more engines passing the certification process. Read more here.

Schools choose propane autogas to fill up their buses

The second in a series of videos of fleet managers discussing the benefits of propane autogas is available. Check out how autogas is helping Mesa Public Schools in Arizona get its kids to school.







Monday, January 27, 2014

Liquid propane as fuel available in Beckley

Just how efficient and economical is liquid propane fuel? And how does it perform?

For unbiased answers, you can go to a man who knows firsthand — Beckley Police Department Chief Tim Deems. His department recently converted four of its Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers to propane.

"Not only is it cheaper, but it's a cleaner fuel than gasoline," Deems said. "We're looking to save the city some money. We look to save about 30 to 40 percent."

The conversion was funded in part by a grant from a U.S. Energy Department's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"It didn't cost the city a cent (to convert to propane)," Deems confirmed. "I think you'll see a lot more propane fueled vehicles in the near future.

"We're already seeing other cities converting vehicles and there are more fueling stations opening up across the state."

Police officers must depend on their vehicles to perform at an extremely high level every day. Deems said he and his staff are well pleased so far.

"Some of the officers may have been a little apprehensive at first," Deems said. "But once they had an opportunity to drive them, they saw that they actually perform better (than gasoline).

"They burn at a higher octane than gasoline. The engines run better and smoother. It's cleaner burning and there's less maintenance costs."

The Little General Store just off the Harper Road exit of I-77 is the site of the liquid propane pump in Beckley.

Appalachian Heating and Propane has had a longstanding relationship with Little General Stores and its president, Greg Darby.

"It seems that Greg is always on the cutting edge of technology," said Dan Akers, Appalachian Heating and Propane owner. "He wants to move forward. I approached him about the possibility of having a facility where liquid propane-fueled vehicles could be refueled. He's here and poised to benefit, especially being located right on the interstate.

"It's easy to get involved with it and set up, because the infrastructure is already here," Akers added.

With 103 retail locations, Little General plans to add more liquid propane fueling pumps across the state.

"We want to be in front of the new technologies and fueling points," said Danny Sullivan, retail merchandiser for Little General Stores. "It's a good opportunity for us."

"We have stores on all of the major routes in West Virginia. We're up and down I-79, Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Westover, Flatwoods all the way down to Charleston," Sullivan said. "And we're all the way down U.S. Rt. 19 to Beckley."

Akers pointed to another benefit for police department's use of liquid propane — saving lives.

"I talked to one police chief who told me that he would buy bullet-proof vests with the money he saves on fuel costs," Akers said. "That was very interesting to me." Read more here.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Propane-Powered Bobtail Back on Track

Source: BPN January 2014

National Public Agency Green Transportation Conference Agenda is Set - Come see us!

TransEnergy Solutions has released the full agenda for the upcoming National Public Agency Green Transportation Conference, to be held Feb. 18-20, at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel in Portland, Ore.

The company says David Meisel, director of transportation services for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), will be on hand as the keynote speaker on Feb. 19. Meisel, who manages a fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles, will share PG&E's various alternative-fuel strategies with attendees.

The balance of the agenda - which begins on Feb. 18 with tours of Linn-Benton Community College's Advanced Technology Training Center and the City of Wilsonville's compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling facility - concentrates heavily on educational sessions that cover an array of alt-fuel technologies: NGVs, propane vehicles, EVs and more.

View the full agenda here. And to learn more about the conference or to register, click here.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A Novel Approach


What are the key terms to know when discussing propane vehicles and their fueling infrastructure?

It is important to know how to talk the talk" when it comes to propane vehicles and infrastructure. Becoming familiar with the terms below will help you better understand these vehicles and the associated fueling infrastructure so you can ask the right questions and make informed decisions.

Fuel:

Propane is a clean-burning, domestically produced alternative fuel that can power light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. The fuel is a colorless, odorless liquid that is stored under pressure. An odorant, ethyl mercaptan, is added to the fuel for leak detection. Propane is also known as liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied propane gas (LPG), or propane autogas. In the United States, these terms are used interchangeably.

Vehicle Types:

Propane vehicles work much like spark-ignited gasoline vehicles. The fuel is stored as a liquid in a relatively low-pressure tank (about 150 pounds per square inch). There are two types of propane fuel systems:
  • Vapor-Injected Systems: Liquid propane travels along a fuel line into the engine compartment. The supply of propane to the engine is controlled by a regulator or vaporizer, which converts the liquid propane to a vapor. The vapor is then fed to a mixer located near the intake manifold where it is metered and mixed with filtered air before being drawn into the combustion chamber and burned to produce power, similar to gasoline. An example is the Alliance AutoGas Prins bi-fuel system.

  • Liquid Propane Injection Systems: Propane is not vaporized. Instead, it is injected into the combustion chamber in liquid form. Examples are the CleanFUEL USA and Roush CleanTech technologies.
Propane vehicles are available in the following configurations:
  • Dedicated Vehicle: These vehicles are designed to run on only propane and are used in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty applications.

  • Bi-Fuel Vehicle: These vehicles are able to run on either propane or gasoline because they have two separate fueling systems. Bi-fuel vehicles include light-duty models and, more recently, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
    • Please note that some agencies may use the term dual-fuel to describe bi-fuel vehicles. However, Clean Cities uses dual-fuel to describe vehicles that have fuel systems that run on alternative fuel and use diesel fuel for ignition assistance. By this definition, there are not currently any dual-fuel propane systems available.
The power, acceleration, and cruising speed of propane vehicles, whether they are dedicated or bi-fuel, are comparable to those of gasoline vehicles.

Fueling Infrastructure Components:

Propane fueling infrastructure is very similar to gasoline equipment, including:
  • Storage Tank: Propane is brought to the station via a transport truck and put into on-site storage—traditionally an aboveground storage tank on a concrete pad.

  • Pump and Fuel Dispenser: The main difference between a propane fueling dispenser and a gasoline dispenser is that propane is delivered to the vehicle under pressure so it remains a liquid. When the vehicle tank is full, the dispenser stops automatically just like a gasoline dispenser.

  • Credit Card Reader: A card reader is necessary for a public station accepting payment. Note that federal regulations require a "competent attendant" to fuel propane vehicles, so drivers may need to be trained before they can use an unmanned pump (Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 1910.110; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58 and 54).
Fueling stations may fall into one of the following categories:
  • Skid-Mounted: The storage tank, dispenser, pump, and any additional piping or controls are mounted to a portable concrete or steel frame that can be installed easily, removed, or relocated. Skid-mounted systems tend to be more affordable than stationary equipment.
  • Stationary: In a stationary system, the storage tank may be underground, and the station may include additional features not available on a skid-mounted system, including spill-proof pumps and additional metering capabilities. Read more here.

Series of Videos to Highlight Fleets’ Propane Autogas Use

The Propane Education & Research Council has prepared a series of “Straight Talk” videos, freely accessible on the web, extolling the use of propane autogas for fleet vehicles of different types.

Each of the PERC videos will be debuted in the coming weeks by Fleets & Fuels


PERC’s first ‘Straight Talk’ video, to be released January 28, will address propane autogas school buses with a focus on Mesa, Ariz.

The first of the “Straight Talk” video series, available as of today, provides an overview of propane autogas (also known as LPG, for liquefied petroleum gas) as a vehicle fuel, with real world vehicle operators explaining why they selected it.

PERC’s Straight Talk videos will cover:
School Buses, featuring an interview with Ron Latko, director of transportation and fleet management with Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Ariz. – 89 of 544 school buses converted to propane autogas;
Commercial Fleets, featuring an interview with ThyssenKrupp Elevator fleet manager Tom Armstrong – 65 Roush CleanTech Ford E-series vans, seven F-series pickup trucks and two F-650 stake bed trucks running on propane autogas in Phoenix, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, and Detroit;
County Transit, featuring an interview with fleet manager Rick Hilmer, Prince George’s County, Md. – a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles with both propane autogas and hybrid vehicles;
Niche Freight, featuring an interview with Adam McCloe, operations VP at GM Groups managing AAustin Express – 90 of 175 vehicles converted to propane autogas using Icom North America’s liquid injection system; and
Telecommunications, featuring an Interview with Brandon Morris, director of fleet services for DirectTV – 77 propane autogas-fueled vehicles.

A preview of what they say:
“We can put in a natural gas station for a million-five or we can put in a propane station for $300,000.”
“Propane was much more easily deployable.”
“Propane has the advantage of very low infrastructure costs.”
“We’re saving $3,425 a day.”

Click here for the introductory compilation video – And Stay Tuned!

Alternative Fueled Vehicle Roadshow Making Many Stops in 2014

AdVentures, a company focused on meetings and events in the clean-transportation sector, has announced the sites and dates for its Alternative Fueled Vehicle Roadshow & Educational Tour for 2014.

These events - five of them since 2012 - are designed to bring various alt-fuel technologies to multiple sites in a given state, offering fleet managers and other stakeholders the opportunity to see vehicles and hear from industry experts. A three-hour educational seminar accompanies live, on-site vehicle demonstrations, with the key alt-fuel technologies being featured: natural gas vehicles, propane vehicles, EVs and more.

The roadshow's first state in 2014 is Florida, with planned stops in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers between March 3 and March 14.

Other locations this year include the following:
April 14-18, North Carolina: Asheville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem
May 12-16, Oklahoma and Texas: Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Austin
June 16-26, Georgia: Atlanta, Savannah, Clayton, Gainesville, Columbus
August 11-15, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia: Norfolk, Richmond, Baltimore, D.C.
September 15-19, Tennessee: Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga

Read more here.

Fuel Your Fleet With Propane

ELLSWORTH & HAMPDEN: R.H. Foster has made history in Maine by opening the first public-use propane fueling station for automobiles on High Street in Ellsworth. They have since opened a second pump at their corporate facility in Hampden. Autogas, the term for propane or liquefied petroleum gas intended for automotive use, is an alternative to diesel fuel and gasoline.

The company has been working hard to educate businesses and individuals in Maine about the many benefits of converting to propane fuel. R.H. Foster’s current target market is commercial fleets, but their pumps are available for passenger cars to use, too, according to Jim Van Uden, the wholesale sales and business development coordinator at R.H. Foster. He believes that, as the infrastructure changes and more vehicles are designed or adapted to use Autogas, they will see more traffic at their pumps.

A report by the U.S. Department of Energy shows that, in the spring, propane cost 24% less per gallon than gasoline and 31% less per gallon than diesel. This price difference is made greater with a 50 cent per gallon federal tax credit, as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which was extended through the end of 2013. However, the cost savings from switching to Autogas is not the only benefit, Van Uden notes. Another advantage is environmental.

“Propane is very clean-burning, compared to gasoline,” Van Uden says.

Also noted is the reduction of the dependency on foreign oil, since propane is a natural product that is produced in North America, according to the R.H. Foster website. R.H. Foster is currently running several of its commercial vehicles on propane,but they are working to convert their fleet to propane. Read more here.

Friday, January 17, 2014

ACT Expo 2014 Video: Hear from past attendees why this is a must-attend event!


"ACT Expo provides a really great flavor of all of the alt fuels and technologies!"

In just two minutes, learn from past attendees on why ACT Expo 2014 is a must-attend event for fleets looking to reduce fuel costs and emissions. 




Thursday, January 16, 2014

Beckley police convert four cruisers to propane

Beckley Police Department is joining other government agencies around the state in a move toward a cleaner, cheaper fuel — one that’s produced domestically.

Beckley Chief Timothy Deems announced Tuesday that four of the city’s Ford Crown Victoria cruisers have been converted from gasoline-only engines to engines that can also run on propane auto gas.

Deems said propane fuel saves 30 to 40 percent in fuel costs when compared with gasoline.

“If you’re expending two tanks a week in a cruiser, you’re looking at about 40 gallons a week,” he said. “At a dollar a gallon savings, that’s $40 per car per week in savings.

“It’s a start, and I think it’s something we can look at down the road as an alternative to the high price of gasoline.”

The cars were converted through a grant via the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment and was facilitated by former Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh last February, said Deems. Read more here.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Inside the CleanFUEL USA Garage

We've launched a new video series of clips taken inside the CleanFUEL USA garage! In the coming weeks we will give you a look inside both of our manufacturing facilities - in Texas and Michigan - as we catch our staff doing what they do best.

You'll see two videos below and can find the rest on our YouTube page by clicking here.


Friday, January 10, 2014

PERC puts propane autogas twist on Work Truck Show

Attendees to , scheduled for March 4-7 in Indianapolis, will be seeing more alternative fuels at this year’s event thanks to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

PERC is sponsoring the show’s first propane autogas test drive event, the Propane Autogas Ride & Drive, slated to begin noon March 4 and continuing through March 6 outside the Maryland Motor Lobby at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Concurrent with the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive, the Propane Autogas Ride & Drive is open to all Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Show attendees.

“Fleet managers can find more state-of-the-art propane vehicles today than at any point in the history of the fuel,” said Michael Taylor, director of propane autogas at PERC. “At PERC’s ride and drive event, fleet professionals can try out a variety of propane autogas vehicles and get behind the wheel to witness the power and performance of this clean, American-made fuel.”

In addition, manufacturers and PERC experts will demonstrate refueling with propane autogas and available to answer attendees’ questions.

“Drive cycles can vary greatly from industry to industry and we are fortunate to have PERC representatives on-hand to help determine if propane is a good fit,” said Bob Johnson, NTEA director of fleet relations. “The size of your fleet, budget, and access to infrastructure are all factors to consider when choosing which alternative fuel works best for you. Our job is to provide attendees with the right resources to make that decision.” Read more here.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

4 Reasons to Convert Your Fleet to Autogas

There are a bunch of reasons to switch your fleet to autogas and here are the top 4.

Fuel Cost Savings 
One of the main reasons to switch from gasoline or diesel to autogas is the fuel cost savings. Money makes the world go round, as the old adage goes, and in this case it really does. If that's not enough to sweeten the deal, federal tax credits and incentives to convert your fleet vehicles should definitely get the ball rolling. PERC, The Propane Education & Research Council offers different incentive programs for putting select vehicles into service and when tax time comes around, there are many federal and local tax breaks available for fueling environmentally sound vehicles.

Propane Autofleet Emissions 
If you want more incentives then consider the emissions. The whole reason to switch to more environmentally friendly fuel is to push less greenhouse producing gases out of the tailpipes of your fleet vehicles. Autogas produces significantly less carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, two of the main culprits in the global warming issue. Since we all want to do our part to shrink our carbon footprint, this is something to keep in mind. In some states there are emissions tests in place that can be difficult to meet for some conventionally fueled vehicles. Propane fueled vehicles don't have this problem.

Domestically Produced
In addition to feeling good when you go green you may also like to know that more than 90 percent of autogas is produced domestically. This cuts the high spikes in oil prices right out of the equation and it's part of the reason propane costs a lot less per gallon. A lot of the high cost in overseas fuel stems from transport costs and foreign policy price inflation. Saving energy is important and so are protecting local jobs and industries. Domestically produced propane is available in abundance and many gas stations also have autogas pumps. Refueling is just as simple as if you were driving a gasoline or diesel vehicle.

Autogas Performance
Let's also talk about performance. The question arises whether a propane powered vehicle will be able to pull its weight and the weight of its assigned duties. Well, it has been proven time and again that propane provides equivalent levels of power, torque and towing capacity. That makes it a valid choice for even the toughest jobs. Anything from lawnmowers and forklifts up to school buses can be powered by autogas and perform just as well in a fleet environment as the gasoline or diesel equivalent.

The idea of switching a large fleet to propane can be jarring, but asking the right questions and careful deliberation can save a lot of money in the long run. It can also help leave a cleaner planet to our children and I think that may be the most important aspect of switching to a cleaner fuel. A lot of information is already available and new studies show all the time the impact we can have on our future and the future of our children with simple choices we make today. Read more here.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Explore Green Opportunities at The Work Truck Show® 2014

Propane school buses make sense

Your story on the switch to propane school buses (YETC assesses practices after November bus accidents, Dec. 16), highlighted the tremendous cost savings that a school district can enjoy by switching to propane school buses. The safety of the children that these buses transport is even more important.

Yuma Education Transportation Consortium joined hundreds of school districts across the country when they decided that student safety can be enhanced at the same time as reducing their costs by switching to propane buses. Propane autogas fuel systems are designed to keep everyone safe. Any risk of autogas leaks is minimal, thanks to a closed loop fuel system. The propane fuel tank is made of 1/4-inch thick carbon steel — making it 20 times more puncture resistant than a gasoline tank. Protective design features include critical valves that are strategically positioned away from potential damage, and an automatic fuel shut-off in the event of a fuel line rupture. The propane tanks are typically mounted between the vehicle’s frame rails, making them very difficult to damage in an accident. These buses were designed and tested with student safety as the primary consideration. And propane fueled buses will not expose children to harmful particulate matter found in diesel exhaust, which is known to escalate breathing-related issues and aggravate asthma.
Combining safety and environmental enhancements with cost savings means that students and taxpayers both come out ahead.

Baron Glassgow
Executive Director
Arizona Propane Gas Association

See the original article here

CleanFUEL USA Secures Underwriters Laboratories Listing for Retail Autogas Dispenser

Company is the first in autogas industry to earn global certification for Gilbarco® Encore® S LPG retail dispenser.
 
 GEORGETOWN, Texas –– Jan 7, 2014 –– As alternative fuel technology continues to advance, CleanFUEL USA, an industry leader in propane autogas technology, has taken additional steps to meet the most rigorous standards for propane autogas refueling by gaining Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for the industry leading Gilbarco Encore S liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retail fuel dispenser. The dispenser also holds National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) approval.

CleanFUEL USA receives Encore 700 S and Encore S cabinets and electronics directly from Gilbarco, and completes the autogas dispenser with UL-listed components. The finished product results in a top-of-the-line autogas dispenser, typically installed at retail settings with public access and controlled clientele, and features full retail capabilities for Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance. The dispenser is also available as a single or dual-sided unit.

Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, and is proven to be the most attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. Already the leading alternative fuel in the United States, propane autogas costs an average of 30 to 40 percent less than gasoline, and up to 50 percent less than diesel. The lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, vehicles fueled by propane autogas emit 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, 60 percent less carbon monoxide and up to 25 percent less greenhouse gases.

"As we continue to install autogas refueling stations throughout the world, we must take steps to validate our technology performance and safety," said Curtis Donaldson, founder and managing partner of CleanFUEL USA. "Partnering with Gilbarco and adding a UL-listed dispenser to our product lineup signifies our commitment to exceeding customer expectations in alternative fuel dispensing, and highlights our continued leadership in the autogas industry."


About CleanFUEL USA:
CleanFUEL USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems, is a leading manufacturer of propane autogas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with an engineering division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental advantages. Learn more at www.cleanfuelusa.com.

Connect on Twitter (@CleanFUELUSA), Facebook (facebook.com/CleanFUELUSA) and YouTube (youtube.com/CleanFuelUSA1).

Monday, January 6, 2014

Propane could help fuel WV future

A West Virginia company is at the forefront of the future of alternative fueled vehicles.

And the future looks a lot closer than ever before.

Bret Chandler, directing manager of Triana Energy-owned Propane Fuel Technologies, has partnered with a German company — CHM-TruckTec, the top developer in liquid propane blend technology.

The technology displaces as much as one-third of diesel fuel consumption with propane. An evaporator converts the propane to a gas, which is injected into the truck's intake system and burned concurrently with diesel, according to CHM-TruckTec.

"Propane Fuel Technologies is going to continue to look for the best technologies that are out there," Chandler said. "Our partners in Germany are committed to continue to develop the best engine technology in the world.

"We have an exclusive distribution agreement for all of North America (secured in February 2013). It's the best in the world. It's the only one that has zero emissions and it's the only one that has been in a lab in this country that meets EPA emissions standards."

Fuel savings is an attractive feature of the technology. The savings are substantial, with minimal sacrifice in performance.

"It's a little less efficient fuel, so you get a little less miles per gallon, about 3 to 7 percent less," Chandler said. "It's not enough to even notice. But you'll save anywhere between $1.15 and $1.75 per gallon on every gallon you use.

"Accounting for the efficiency, the gas prices and all of that, that's the (savings) range."

While most light and medium passenger vehicles could run on straight liquid propane as effectively as gasoline or diesel, a blend is needed primarily for large truck use.

"The bigger the engine, the more diesel you displace (with liquid propane)," Chandler explained. "If you have 10 or 12 trucks, you need the savings today. The fleets are where the big savings are at currently.

"There's no substitute for the torque of a diesel engine. So this system works to give you savings when you need it, and it gives you power when you need it."

Realizing potential in WV

With gas being increasingly harvested in West Virginia, it only makes sense that liquid propane could become a more readily available fuel for companies and individuals locally.

Propane fueling stations are in place, with more coming soon.

"What we're trying to do in West Virginia, we've already done in large metropolitan areas," Chandler said. "We also want to bring it here in the state and focus more on the eastern part of the United States.

"There is an abundance of propane that is being generated now because of the amount of wet gas," he added. "The supply of propane is increasing at an incredibly rapid rate. We already had an abundant supply. Now we're adding to it. One study shows that in the eastern United States that there is 165,000 barrels per day that they can't predict a use for. The price is historically stable, and that only lends to the stability of the price." Read more here.

Friday, January 3, 2014

N.C. Billboards Promote Alternative Transportation Fuels


Billboards in 24 North Carolina counties are promoting the benefits of reducing transportation-related emissions by using alternative fuels, including propane autogas. The North Carolina Solar Center has created eight designs, each covering such topics as reducing gas expenses, using biodiesel- or electric-powered vehicles, and asthma’s impact on children. The billboard on autogas also includes a mention of natural gas; the focus is on cost savings per gallon compared with gasoline.

The billboards are part of a two-year media campaign that will include a minimum of 130 outdoor advertising displays, according to the Solar Center, an office of North Carolina State University. A sample of the billboards can be viewed here, and a news report on the campaign is available.