Part of his exposure also focused on the different transportation modes that can run on natural gas, including road and off-road (mining, railways). He also recalled that there is technology available for CNG hybrids and LNG-powered vessels, such as the recently named “Francisco,” a ferry from Buquebus that operates between Argentina and Uruguay. In addition, NGV Global executive director remarked the need to harmonize international standards and certifications for each product, a goal they are working toward. “That’s why our association wants to collaborate with all associations and governments to have greater flexibility in the supply of equipment,” he said.
Later on, Mariarosa Baroni agreed on the need to work together between the different parties involved in the development of a sole regulation system. “As entrepreneurs, we have to deal with some issues entering new markets. For this reason, the unification of standards will facilitate NGV market growth.”
While giving her paper on “The Italian Natural Gas Industry Driving Sustainable Mobility,” the NGV Italy chairwoman stated that “in times of crisis, CNG is the right solution.” She also mentioned the European Union’s strategy on sustainable mobility, which includes natural gas, biomethane and LNG as fuels for transportation. “For CNG, the Commission proposal will ensure that publically accessible refueling points, with common standards, are available Europe-wide with maximum distances of 150 km by 2020.”
She also assured that her team is working hard on the development of NGV technologies to achieve those goals. A range of available NGV models is growing in connection with OEM light duty vehicles (Fiat, Mercedes, Opel, Volkswagen) and heavy-duty (Iveco, Volvo , MAN, Scania). In Italy new OEM NGV sales and CNG vehicle conversions in the first half of 2012 are very positive despite the elimination of former financial incentives. A growth of 36% on sales is confirmed with 43,300 new NGVs (OEM + conversions as of June 2012).
The last speaker Edgardo Escobar Ochoa summarizes the Peru market situation in a few words: 170,000 vehicles converted and 220 natural gas refueling stations installed in a seven-year business history in the country. However, he focuses his speech on the benefits and achievements of natural gas as a fuel in Bus Rapid Transit of Lima, Perú.
‘El Metropolitano’ BRT covers 10% of public transport in Lima and has four operators (Peru Masivo, Lima Vías, Transvial Lima and Lima Bus) and its control center is managed by the municipality through Protransporte agency. “The vehicles run 100 % on natural gas and as a result the system is at the forefront in Latin America and is regarded as a model of development. Currently, the municipality of Lima has opened five new corridors for bidding and it is expected that the buses will be also fueled by CNG,” the Gazel general manager told the audience. Moreover, as part of the successful implementation of Lima’s BRT fleet, from May 2010 to August 2013 ‘El Metropolitano’ generated savings of approximately USD 35 million.
Photo 2: Cristian Rossi.
Photo 3: Diego Goldin.
Photo 4: Mariarosa Baroni.
Photo 5: Edgardo Escobar Ochoa.
