2

Objectives Explain how to implement green

fleets Learn about incentives for

converting to natural gas fleets Learn about the availability and

cost of natural gas Identify the advantages of using

natural gas Understand how to safely handle

natural gas

3

Why use green fleets? Reduce operating costs Reduce greenhouse gas

emissions Improve corporate image

Greening of Fleets

4

How to Implement Natural Gas Get buy-in Create long-term objectives Avoid setting reduction goals in

absolute numbers Anticipate obstacles Move slowly Improve vehicle use Track and report progress

5

Natural gas = hydrocarbon fuel; mostly methane

Natural gas is a fossil fuel Natural gas has a higher

flammability than conventional gasoline

Natural gas has a lower volumetric energy density compared to liquid fuels

Natural Gas Fleets

6

How is Natural Gas Formed? Fossil fuel – nonrenewable

Decay of organic matter over time Coal, oil, stand-alone wells

Biogas – renewable Landfills Agriculture

Stored as CNG or LNG

7

CNG Natural gas is compressed and

stored as a gas Stable method of containment 3000-3600 psi

Figure 1 (left): Factory available Honda Civic CNG passenger car. Source: NAFTC. Figure 2 (right): Corresponding CNG trunk-mounted tank. Source: NAFTC.

8

LNG Natural gas is cooled

below -260°F

Stored at lower pressures If released, LNG will

quickly evaporate Considered a cryogenic

liquid Storage tanks are called

dewars Figure 3: Cutaway of LNG tank showing dual walls and

insulation. Source: NAFTC.

9

Incentives Partnership initiatives and pooled resources Financial subsidiaries Informational tools

Initial cost vs. federal and state incentives

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Clean Cities Program

Incentives for Using Natural Gas in Fleets

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Tax Incentives Tax incentives for natural gas

fuel, vehicles, and infrastructure have been provided through federal law

In addition to federal incentives, 25 states currently offer to help in the development of the market

11

Federal Grant Funding Federal government = largest grant

provider U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) U.S. Department of Transportation

(DOT) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

12

State Grant Funding State Energy Office (SEO) National Association of State Energy

Officials directory Alternative Fuels Data Center map

To find state-specific information, visitwww.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/state

13

Incentives for Natural Gas Production Recently doubled estimates of U.S.

natural gas reserves Expanded drilling options available Cleaner burning domestically produced

gas State incentives for increased production Local biomass projects Use of renewable biogas over natural gas

14

Currently, there are 300,000 miles of natural gas pipelines in U.S.

Most public fueling stations are CNG because fleets using LNG have dedicated infrastructure

Consumption has increased 145% nationwide since 2005

Natural Gas Availability and Cost

15

Figure 4: Natural Gas fueling stations by state. AFDC.

16

Research shows the cost of diesel fuel is projected to increase at a linear rate of 5.6% per year

Increase in natural gas = 1.6% per year

Figure 5: EIA Fuel Price Projections. Source: EIA.

17

Figure 6: Cost comparison - diesel, gasoline, & compressed natural gas. Source: AFDC.

18

Natural gas price depends upon: Cost of production Demand for natural gas 87% domestically produced

19

Reduced greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions

Reduced long term operating costs

Domestically produced Higher compression ratios

Natural Gas Advantages

20

Things to Consider Limited vehicle availability and

initial cost Shorter driving range Limited public fueling stations

21

Performance Conversions have similar

performance May sacrifice some power

Dedicated and purposed built may have better performance

Can utilize higher compression ratio for increased engine efficiency

Natural Gas Performance and Safety

22

Natural Gas Performance Summary

• Similar vehicle performance• High octane rating• Cleaner exhaust emissions• Fuel tank size can be large• Limited vehicle fueling stations

23

Safety NGVs have excellent safety

record: Integrity of the NGV’s fuel storage

and delivery system Properties of the fuel itself

Natural gas is highly flammable Excellent for combustion Should be handled with same care

given to other combustible fuels

24

Safety Natural gas cylinders are much

thicker and stronger than gasoline or diesel tanks

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and U.S. DOT identify hazards with diamond placards

25

Tanks CNG

Produced to meet reliability and performance standards

3 year or 36,000 mile tank inspections LNG

Visual inspection for corrosion

Label

Figure 7: Example of LNG tank label. Source: NAFTC.

26

NFPA Placards and Specifications Four colored diamonds within outer

diamond Inner diamonds dictate health, fire,

reactivity, and other hazard information

Different diamonds for different substances

Figure 8 (left): NFPA hazard placard for CNG. Source: NFPA.

Figure 9 (right): NFPA 704 hazard placard for LNG. Source: NFPA.

27

U.S. DOT Placards and Specifications Help identify what fuel is being

transported Different placards for different forms

of fuel Proper officials should be contacted

to ensure correct placards are displayed

Figure 10 (left): CNG transport placard for UN 1971. Source: U.S. DOT. Figure 11: LNG transport placard

UN 1972. Source: U.S. DOT.

28

Natural Gas Safety Summary• NGVs must meet stringent

safety codes• Safe and durable storage tanks• Tank inspections• Exposure causes minimal

injury

29

1. True or False: The price of natural gas based on a gasoline gallon equivalent is typically lower than gasoline.

2. What are the two forms of natural gas storage?

3. True or False: Fueling stations for natural gas are located in nearly all locations of conventional fuel stations.

4. Natural gas engines can utilize higher __________ due to its higher ___________ rating.

5. True or False: Natural gas vehicles require periodic fuel tank inspections.

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