Clean Cities plays role in autogas market development

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On her very first day with Alliance AutoGas, Jessica Johnson traveled 130 miles, from North Carolina to Tennessee, for a Clean Cities event.

Alliance AutoGas had been participating in a vehicle demonstration program, giving local businesses a way to explore and consider propane-fueled vehicles for their fleets. That day four years ago, the company demonstrated a propane-fueled Ford Transit van, a Ford F-150 and an Explorer Interceptor for fleet decision-makers.

“It’s all about education with autogas, and that’s really what the foundation is with the Clean Cities folks,” Johnson says. “They need us to help educate the community, and we’re always willing to do that.”

Bioenergy, biofuels account for nearly half of US renewables use

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Wood and waste energy accounted for nearly one-fourth of U.S. renewable energy use in 2019, while biofuels accounted for 20 percent of renewable energy consumption, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Oct. 19.

According to the EIA, the U.S. consumed a record amount of renewable energy in 2019, at 11.5 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), or 11 percent of total U.S. energy consumption.

Hydrogen: Truly Green Power

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If you’re not muddled enough yet in the alternative fuels debate, here’s the skinny on hydrogen. It’s an alternative to batteries that can offer faster “fueling” times, along with a lighter and more compact storage medium. It can be stored indefinitely with zero energy loss (provided the tank doesn’t leak). It’s safer than many people imagine (it doesn’t burn for days like lithium-ion batteries can). It can be harvested conveniently from renewable sources such as wind or solar, either on-site where it’s used (usually through engineered electrolysis) or at commercial-scale production facilities (steam-methane reforming) and transported to where it’s used, often without gobs of bricks-and-mortar infrastructure.

Once onboard the truck, the gaseous hydrogen enters the fuel cell, where it’s recombined with oxygen drawn from ambient air and flowed over a catalyst-lined membrane.

“It’s an electrochemical transaction, the reaction that produces an electron,” explains Ben Nyland, president and CEO of fuel cell maker Loop Energy. “A fuel cell basically makes that electrochemical reaction happen, and captures the electrons that result from it and feeds those out in the same way a battery would to power the motors.”

RNG: The Energy Source No One’s Talking About

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We have a problem with methane. It’s a highly potent greenhouse gas – much more potent than carbon dioxide, the gas we’re falling all over ourselves trying to eliminate from the transportation waste stream.

The Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and others peg methane released by the biological decomposition of organic materials at 30 to 60 times more potent than CO2 when vented to atmosphere.

One solution is using methane to fuel vehicles. Using it as fuel also replaces other carbon-based fuels that produce their own share of hydrocarbon emissions. It’s renewable, and it’s plentiful.

Kenworth Launches the T680E Class 8 Truck

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Kenworth has launched the Kenworth T680E –  the company’s first-ever, Class 8 battery-electric model. The new zero-emission Kenworth T680E, now available for order from Kenworth dealers in the U.S. and Canada, will enter production in 2021.

“The Kenworth T680E launch is an exciting, pioneering moment that builds upon Kenworth’s history of providing fleets and truck operators with outstanding and productive trucks driven by quality, innovation and technology,” says Kevin Baney, general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The new Kenworth T680E provides our customers with a true, zero-emissions solution that will help to achieve their own green program objectives while leveraging the excellent performance, reliability and cab comfort of our current T680 on-highway flagship model.”

WPGA Announces Featured Speakers for Nation’s First Renewable Propane Conference

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On November 4th, the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) will virtually host the Path to Renewable Propane conference, the first event of its kind in the U.S. that is uniquely focused on propane derived from sustainable sources.

Companies, legislators, and regulatory agencies are all pushing innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint for both the transportation and building sector. To support these efforts, WPGA has set forth efforts to accelerate the commercialization of renewable propane in California. Join WPGA at the Path to Renewable Propane virtual conference, which will address the next evolution of industry to deliver on decarbonization targets in these markets.

Technology Provider Hopes to Strike Balance on Diesel Engine

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Diesel engines have long domin­ated the heavy-duty truck market because of their performance characteristics, but they also generate a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative fuels, on the other hand, don’t always pack the same powerful punch as diesel-fueled engines or face other challenges and limitations. But ClearFlame Engine Technologies is working to develop a diesel engine that runs on cleaner fuel without compromising performance.

Co-founders BJ Johnson and Julie Blumreiter launched the Geneva, Ill.-based startup in 2016 and recently began working with engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. on a pilot project demonstrating the technology. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded ClearFlame a two-year, $1.1 million Small Business Innovation Research program grant to support continued research and development.

ClearFlame aims to maintain the traditional diesel engine design to ensure the practicality and convenience that diesel-burning engines offer while reducing emissions by burning cleaner fuels including ethanol, methanol or natural gas. The technology would still provide the high amounts of torque and transient response found in traditional diesel engines.­ If you’re looking to get more power out of your diesel engine, diesel tuning is a great option.

Electric cars really do cost less to own than gas-powered vehicles, report says

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Electric car manufacturers have long claimed their vehicles are ultimately less expensive to own than their gas-powered counterparts, and it now looks like that wasn’t just classic marketing spin. Consumer Reports has published a study indicating that the most popular EVs are less expensive to own over their lifespans than the best gas cars in their respective classes. Among EVs under $50,000, you’d typically see costs drop between $6,000 to $10,000 versus a combustion engine car.

This is great news for those looking to purchase an electric vehicle, and if you’re in the market for one, consider visiting a trusted car dealership in Spring Lake to get expert advice and guidance on choosing the perfect model for your needs. But for those who still consider gas powered vehicle, Revology Cars can be your great option.

In the world of online car platforms, https://www.autozin.com shines bright. Their focus on authenticity and comprehensive listings has made them a favorite among those seeking a reliable car buying experience.

The Tesla Model 3 delivered the most value in CR’s findings. The entry-level luxury EV represented a $15,000 savings compared to not only the best-selling car in its class (the BMW 330i), but also the best-rated (the Audi A4). This was generally true across the board, including plug-in hybrids as well as estimates for upcoming vehicles like Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. The savings could be particularly large if you buy a used EV when it’s five to seven years old.

The savings on fuel unsurprisingly played a large role. CR determined that EV drivers spend about 60 percent less to keep their vehicles topped up, and owners whose cars have a range of 250 miles or more can handle 92 percent of their charging at home instead of public fast chargers. If you want to get one of this type of vehicles we recommend to check out the Zemotor options as they have used a new cars that will adjust to your budget.

However, maintenance was also key — reliability reports suggested that EV owners were paying about half as much for maintenance and repair services like tire and auto glass replacement as people with gas vehicles. While other repairs could go up (such as fresh batteries) if you buy a used EV, you still stand to reap a large chunk of the lifetime savings.

Chevron Doubles Down on Renewable Natural Gas

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(Bloomberg) — Chevron Corp. is doubling down on its plan to turn cow manure into renewable natural gas.

The oil major formed a joint venture with waste solutions manager Brightmark LLC to build biomethane projects in multiple states, marking its second foray into producing renewable gas from dairy waste. Chevron plans to then buy the biomethane to power its trucks, buses and other vehicles currently running on compressed natural gas, according to an emailed statement.

“We think this is part of the way we are going to have lower carbon fuel in the future,” Andy Walz, president of Americas products at Chevron, said in a telephone interview. The ultimate goal, he said, is to lower its emissions.

Red Rock, Shell enter sales agreement for renewable fuel

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Red Rock and Shell have entered into a cellulosic fuel purchase and sale agreement in which Shell will purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and cellulosic renewable diesel fuel from Red Rock’s new biorefinery in Lakeview, Oregon. Shell will distribute the SAF to Red Rock’s existing airline customers and market Red Rock’s cellulosic renewable diesel fuel.

By combining Red Rock’s production capabilities with Shell’s technical and commercial expertise and world-class supply chain, the companies are demonstrating how working together is enabling the production and distribution of SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel and supporting the decarbonization of aviation and heavy transport.