Valley Sky-Lines  eNewsletter - November 2010

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November 2010 - In This Edition

Biodiesel, CCV Systems and Kermit the Bus?
 By Jon J. Howard

Yes, you read that correctly, Kermit the Bus.  Affectionately tagged with that moniker by the Clark County School District vehicle maintenance staff, the 2010 Thomas Built hybrid bus with the green paint scheme is the latest effort by the CCSD to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil as well as reduce emissions in the Las Vegas Valley. 

The Clark County School District is a longtime supporter of the Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition’s efforts on both of these fronts.  Kermit is just the most recent and probably the most visible of the CCSD’s contributions.  Through the years, the CCSD has moved forward with several programs to help the LVRCCC meet their goals.  In 2001, the CCSD began using biodiesel, a practice still in place, and that garnered the District the Clean Cities National Partners Award in 2003.  Through a series of grants and legal settlements, the CCSD has been able to continue to implement new technologies in its efforts to reduce emissions.  Kermit the Bus is but one part of this. The other part was the installation of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) and Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) systems on 967 buses.  Combined with the use of biodiesel the installation of DOC and CCV systems helped the CCSD win the First Place award for Transportation Efficiency and Innovation from the American Lung Association® in 2009.

In addition to the above efforts, CCSD support for the LVRCCC has run the gamut, from financial support to supplying vehicles and a speaker for alternative fuel events. The CCSD plans to continue to support the goals of the LVRCCC and its future endeavors.

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Introducing Coulomb Technologies
and the ChargePoint Network
By Eric Shieh

Coulomb Technologies is the leader in electric vehicle charging systems and application services, with the ChargePoint® Network now operating in 14 countries and Network Operations Centers in the U.S., London, and Hong Kong. Coulomb currently has the largest established base of networked charging stations worldwide with more than 850 units shipped to more than 200 customers. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging solution with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet Managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging.

The ChargePoint Network is open to all drivers of plug-in vehicles and all manufacturers of plug-in vehicle charging stations. ChargePoint Network’s unique features include:

  • The ability for a station owner to set fees for use of their stations (including free charging)
  • The ability for drivers to access stations without a subscription via contactless credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover)
  • 24/7/365 telephone driver support via a toll free number on all charging stations
  • Smart Grid ready with built-in Utility Grade Metering, Time of Use (TOU) pricing and Demand Response (DR) control
  • Multiple smart phone applications (iPhone and Blackberry) to find unoccupied stations and navigate to them
  • The lowest operating cost possible due to real-time operational monitoring, alerts, diagnosis, and control of millions of stations

For more information, visit www.coulombtech.com. Follow Coulomb on Twitter at twitter.com/coulombevi. To request a charging station in your area, visit www.mychargepoint.net/request-station.php. To download the ChargePoint Network iPhone App:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chargepoint/id356866743.

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lverccc logo - smallSpeed Networking. Lasting Connections.
By Debi Kinney

Nearly thirty members of the LVRCCC gathered in August for a first-ever speed networking event.  Held at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Summerlin, the event was well-received by those in attendance.  High praise from the participants followed the evening’s festivities.

The speed networking concept was introduced to the lineup of LVRCCC events in an attempt to foster more member-to-member interaction.  Coalition business was put to the side for the evening and the focus was solely on networking – both in the formal speed networking format and in the informal networking that followed, which was accompanied by a variety of hosted hors d’oeuvres.

One attendee summed up the experience by saying, “I really think that the idea of speed networking is great.  I made many wonderful contacts and I feel like it is the perfect way to briefly meet everyone associated with LVRCCC with the hope of setting up other meetings in the future”.

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LNG: Receiving Renewed Attention
By Kasia McBride

It's no wonder Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. transportation fuels market. With its relatively low cost per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) and with it being the cleanest burning fuel available, LNG offers a favorable solution for fleet managers.

According to the International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles, there are more than 11.2 million natural gas vehicles worldwide, including those powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG. The number of LNG fueling stations is also increasing. This growth in LNG fueling infrastructure is, of course, key to the increased purchase and use of LNG-powered vehicles.

“Significant recent developments have redefined the natural gas playing field,” said Leo Thomason, Executive Director of Natural Gas Vehicle Institute. “From port regulations that focus the spotlight on LNG, to fuel prices that are at least 90 cents per gallon more than compressed or liquid natural gas, the marketplace has aligned to draw renewed attention to this clean burning fuel.”

Some major LNG developments are planned due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.  The goals are to improve the U.S. LNG infrastructure and increase energy independence.

One project made possible by this act involves the United Parcel Service (UPS) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.  Their Ontario-Las Vegas LNG Corridor Expansion Project will complete a long-planned regional LNG fueling corridor across the southwestern U.S., making the final connection between the existing public access LNG fuel infrastructure in Southern California and the LNG fuel stations being developed in Utah. The project will provide a 700-mile long LNG fueling corridor along one of the most heavily traveled truck routes. UPS will build a publicly accessible LNG fueling station off of Interstate 15 in Las Vegas and deploy 48 heavy-duty LNG vehicles. The new LNG station will support these 48 trucks, an additional 161 LNG trucks in the UPS fleet, and other LNG fleet operators in the region. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that the 48 trucks alone will help displace approximately 1.25 million gallons of petroleum annually.

Other ARRA projects include:

  • South Coast Air Quality Management District's Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Drayage Truck Replacement Initiative: This project will replace 180 diesel drayage trucks at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with LNG trucks. This will help displace an estimated 1.8 million gallons of petroleum annually.
  • San Bernardino Associated Governments' J.B. Hunt LNG Truck Project: This project will deploy 262 heavy-duty LNG trucks in Southern California and construct two LNG refueling stations in San Bernardino and South Gate (South Los Angeles) to support J.B. Hunt's initial LNG truck operations, and will allow the fleet to add additional LNG vehicles in the future. DOE estimates that the 262 LNG trucks will help displace more than 2.6 million gallons of petroleum annually.
  • Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.'s Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project: This project will deploy 163 CNG high-mileage taxis and 18 heavy-duty LNG refuse trucks. Infrastructure to be deployed includes three CNG stations and one LNG/CNG station along with infrastructure for other alternative fuels. DOE estimates that the initiative will help displace 1.4 million gallons of petroleum annually.

For more information about ARRA projects click here.

So what exactly is LNG?

LNG is composed mainly of methane. It is natural gas that has been cooled to the point that it condenses into a liquid. This condensation occurs at a temperature of approximately minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit. In this form it is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic fuel. In the transportation industry, LNG is especially popular among heavy-duty fleet operators because it allows for increased driving range when compared to CNG.

Why use LNG for your fleet?

LNG has many characteristics that distinguish it from other fuels. First, liquefaction reduces the volume of natural gas by 600 times, which makes it more economical to transport and easier to store. Second, natural gas is widely available and can be a renewable resource. Domestic natural gas reserves are estimated to be 237.726 trillion cubic feet, according to the Energy Information Administration. In the U.S., there are more than 113 active LNG facilities, found at marine terminals, storage facilities, and LNG vehicular fuel operations. Third, LNG vehicles produce fewer emissions compared to traditional and other alternative fuels. Fourth, because LNG transforms from its liquid state into a gaseous state readily before it is consumed in the engine, it is far more efficient, and because it does not contaminate the engine, it reduces wear and tear which adds to engine life. This, of course, is an additional economic benefit. Finally, LNG has an excellent safety record. There have been no reported burn accidents, loss of life, or other serious injuries related to the use of LNG as a vehicular fuel.

In conclusion, there is little doubt that the role of LNG is increasing both nationally and locally. Its low cost, physical properties and safety record make LNG a very favorable fueling choice for fleets. Regionally, several planned developments, such as the Ontario-Las Vegas LNG Corridor project, as well as the planned deployments of a vast number of heavy-duty LNG vehicles, make LNG one of the premier fuels for fleet managers in the southwest. Projects such as these could serve not only the business interests of our region, but also promise to keep attention focused on alternative fuel technology like LNG for the foreseeable future.

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Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer
By Debi Kinney

The Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition Annual Member Holiday Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at Brio Tuscan Grille, where a hosted three-course lunch will be served.  This annual event is another great networking opportunity for members.

One of the highlights of the annual luncheon is the charity collection.  This year’s beneficiary is St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City.  LVRCCC members attending the luncheon are asked to bring a donation in the form of a gift card to Target, Walmart or Kmart, or a food “treat” such as Chef Boyardee pastas, Top Ramen noodle packets, or macaroni and cheese mix.  St. Jude’s Ranch for Children rescues abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths from the vicious cycle of child abuse. They provide healing and nurturing in a safe home-like environment where children can learn life skills to start new lives with new chances, new choices and new hope.  Representatives from St. Jude’s Ranch for Children will be attending the luncheon and will be available to answer questions and educate the LVRCCC members on their unique and special program.

Invitations to the luncheon were emailed to current LVRCCC members in late October. If you did not receive an invitation, but are interested in attending, please visit the LVRCCC website and register to become a member of the Coalition by completing and submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Once an MOU has been received and processed, an invitation to the event will be emailed. An RSVP is required to attend the event as seating is limited.
http://www.lasvegascleancities.org/membership.html. 


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Information About Alternative Fuel Infrastructure and
Development
By Clean Cities Technical Response Service

Answer: Over the past few years the United States has seen an increase in the number of alternative fuel stations. Continued infrastructure development will be critical to expanding acceptance and ensuring the success of alternative fuels nationwide. Fleets and individuals need to be able to locate and access fuel for their vehicles within a reasonable distance at a competitive price. The resources below can help you find information about locating, developing, and promoting alternative fuel infrastructure.

Locating Alternative Fueling Stations
A common concern of fleets or individuals considering purchasing or converting their vehicles to alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) is whether the fuel is available along a normal driving route or within a certain service area. The Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) Station Locator allows users to search by fuel type (including biodiesel blends of 20% (B20) or above, compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), E85, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG), or propane) and location. The results are mapped, and by clicking on the individual station, users can see additional information such as hours of operation. The Station Locator includes both public and private stations, but the Advanced Options search gives the user the option to search for public access stations only. The Station Locator is also available as a mobile tool. Data in the Station Locator is verified annually and updates are made on a rolling basis as new information becomes available.

In addition, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed TransAtlas, a tool that allows users to see alternative fuel station density on a larger scale. TransAtlas uses the same data as the Station Locator, but the user can generate larger and more interactive maps of fueling stations with the option to incorporate additional data on hybrid electric, flexible fuel, and diesel vehicle density and fuel production facilities.

Developing Alternative Fueling Stations
If a fueling station is not available in your area, there are a number of resources available to provide information on developing and operating fueling infrastructure. Issues that should be considered prior to construction include location (siting), customer/fleet demand, sizing (capacity), design, fuel availability, storage, permitting, and cost (financing). The following AFDC Infrastructure Development pages give a good overview of these considerations for the individual fuel types:

Additional information about EVSE development can be found in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Review.

In addition, the May 2003 issue of Alternative Fuel News (a precursor to Clean Cities Now) includes an article on “Building Successful Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fueling Stations – Tips, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned”. Many of the considerations discussed in this article are still relevant.

Station development often requires significant upfront investment. Some of these costs can be offset by the federal Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit; note that this credit currently is set to expire at the end of this calendar year. In addition, many states have additional fueling infrastructure financing incentives. A few examples are included below:

Retailers may also take advantage of state tax credits on the fuel sold once the station is in operation (e.g., Iowa’s E85 Retailer Tax Credit).

Corridor Development
Recently there has been a focus on alternative fuel corridor development to promote AFV use along certain heavily-traveled routes in the United States. For example, the I-65 Biofuels Corridor in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama encourages the development of biofuel stations along route I-65. In addition, the Clean Cities projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 include several projects that will result in a more concentrated development of alternative fueling stations around the country. Projects such as these can help drive the deployment of AFVs by ensuring that drivers have an extended network of fueling stations available to them along highly traveled routes.

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Upcoming LVRCCC Meetings

Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, December 2, 2010

Annual Members' Holiday Luncheon
Thursday, December 2, 2010

Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, March 3, 2011

Annual Stakeholders Meeting
Thursday, March 3, 2011


 

 
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