ReFUEL December 2011 | Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area | Monthly Newsletter
All Gassed Up... y l l a r u t Na
Also In This Issue:
Member Spotlight: We Energies Welcome New and Returning Members Question of the Month: What is a flexible fuel vehicle?
“Driving Wisconsin Forward”
. . . e m i T t u o b A It’s for our annual
survey!
Help us demonstrate the progress we’ve made as a coalition toward reducing the regions’ dependence on petroleum. The survey will ask you to report on your fuel usage, mileage, new stations, and types of technologies used in 2011.
Watch f or it T uesday, January 3, 2011 . WCC-SEA PARTNERING TO PRESENT:
2 | December ReFUEL
C onnec t W i t h Us O n T h e Web!
www.wicleancities.org
www.facebook.com/wisconsinCC
twitter.com/wccsea
www.youtube.com/wccsea
www.flickr.com/wicleancities
December ReFUEL | 3
ReFUEL is Wisconsin Clean Cities Southeast Area’s (WCC-SEA) monthly coalition newsletter. WCC-SEA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization, and is one of nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the U.S. WCC-SEA works to reduce emissions, encourage the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, and develop the refueling infrastructure necessary to sustain the industry. If you would like to contribute to ReFUEL, please contact Lorrie Lisek at lorrie.lisek@wicleancities.org or call 414-221-4958. 4 | December ReFUEL
C o nte nts Page 7
Member Spotlight
Page 9
Welcome New and Returning Members
Page 10
We Energies
Question of the Month
What is a flexible fuel vehicle?
All Gassed Up... Page 11
Naturally
December ReFUEL | 5
A r e you a me m be r y et ? Sta rt mak i ng an i mpact today, join WCC - S EA !
It’s all a bo ut i m p r o v i n g q u a l i ty of life fo r t he pe o ple living in Wisc ons in. WCC-SE A r e l i e s o n s u p p o r t f r o m o ur members. Dues and co rpo rat e member s hi p s e n a b l e W C C - S E A to ho ld meet ings, spo nso r educat io nal wor k sh op s, a nd p r o v i d e v i ta l o u t reach mat e rials. Wh at ca n W C C-S E A d o f o r y o u ? • Net w or k i ng o p p o r tu n iti e s w i th fleet s & indust ry part ners wit h experienc e in alt e r na t i v e f u e l s & a d va n c e d ve hicle s • Techni ca l t r a in i n g , w o r ks h o p s , and we binars • In forma t i o n re s o u r c e s o n a l te rnat ive fuels, advance d ve hicle s, idle reduc t i o n, a n d o th e r te c h n o l o gie s t hat re duce pe t ro le um use • In divi d ua l c o n s u l ta tio n a n d technical assist ance • F undi ng o p p o r tu n iti e s f r o m the U. S . Depart me nt o f Energy, st ate and local gov e r nm e n t a g e n c ie s , n onpro fit s, and fo undat io ns • Pu bli c r e c o g n i ti o n f o r p r o g r e ss in re ducing pet ro le um co nsumption • Assis t a nce w i th m e d ia o u tr e a ch
J oi n toda y !
Visit ww w.w i cl e a n c iti e s . o r g /j o i n. php, email info @wicle ancit ies. org, or call 4 1 4 -2 2 1 - 4958.
2 0 11 D i am o n d a nd Go l d M e m b e r s:
Me m be r Sp otl i g ht: We E ne r gi e s
W
e Energies provides electrical service for over one million customers, primarily located in southeastern and eastern Wisconsin as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The utility also supplies nearly one million natural gas customers located throughout the state of Wisconsin. The majority of We Energies’ electricity is generated by its coal-fueled power plants in Oak Creek, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and Marquette, Michigan; from the natural-gas-fueled Port Washington Generating Station in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and from the Point Beach Nuclear Generating Station north of Manitowoc, Wisconsin (now owned and operated by NextEra Energy Resources). We Energies additionally operates natural-gas-fueled peaking plants, which are used to produce electricity during periods of peak demand, several hydroelectric dams located on rivers in northeast Wisconsin, and from various renewable energy sources.
The utility began in 1896 as the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, formed as a subsidiary of the North American Company, to provide interurban rail service in southeastern Wisconsin. Over time, the utility began selling electricity not needed to power the interurban trains to individuals and businesses. The company then merged with Wisconsin Electric Power Company in 1938 and purchased the Wisconsin Gas and Electric Company and Wisconsin Michigan Power Company in 1941. Since then, the utility went through several other mergers and name changes, and in 1997 was named We Energies in lieu of a merger between the Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Natural Gas Company. We Energies heads several initiatives focused on alternative energies, including wind farms, biomass plants, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles. With the recent focus on electric vehicles, We Energies has taken the initiative to understand the effects of vehicles on the grid. The utility is actively involved in WCC-SEA’s stakeholder lead plug-in electric vehicle task force. Additionally, We Energies provides natural gas service to customers who have natural gas compression facilities for fueling natural gas vehicles. The utility received funding as part of the Wisconsin Clean Transportation program, and has used the funding to help local businesses and municipalities set up compressed natural gas fueling stations for their fleets. To learn more visit www.weenergies.com.
A CNG fueling station maintained by We Energies. December ReFUEL | 7
Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area
6th Annual Stakeholder Meeting & Re Holiday Reception gis Thursday, December 15th, 2011 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm We Energies Public Service Building Auditorium 231 W. Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53202
ter To da y!
Registration is required. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local food pantries. Sponsorship opportunities are available! Contact Lorrie Lisek at info@wicleancities.org or call 414-221-4958.
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful But working with our partners is so delightful� Sponsors:
Welcome and
new
returning
Members
Dane County Department of Public Works, Highway and Transportation E.H. Wolf & Sons Eaton Corporation Bradley Fons Kwik Trip Inland Power Group Transit Express
OPPORTUNITY FOR CLEAN CITIES MEMBERS: Discounted pricing of $159.00 Includes: access to the Green Truck Summit, a pre-paid admission pass to all thre days of the Work Truck SHow and one complimentary ticket to one Work Truck Show educational session of your choice To get this deal, register by February 17, 2012. Contact WCC-SEA to receive the registration form and more information. Call 414-221-4958 or email info@wicleancities.org.
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Ques tion o f the Mo nt h Q A
: What is a flexible fuel vehicle?
Their power, acceleration, payload, and cruise speed are comparable whether running on ethanol or gasoline. Additionally, FFVs are priced about the same as tranditional gasoline and diesel vehicle equivalents, and are availalbe from all major original manufacturing companies, such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Toyota, and even Unlike natural gas and propane bi-fuel vehicles, Bentley. The only noticeable difference: slight flexible fuel vehicles contain one fueling system, reductions in fuel economy when FFVs run on ethanol. which is made up of ethanol compatible components and is set to accommodate the higher oxygen content of E85. E85 should only For more information, check out the Flexible Fuel Vehicles section of the AFDC website by visiting be used in ethanol-capable FFVs. http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/flexible_fuel.html Other than fueling capability and ethanol compatible components, FFVs are similar to their conventional gasoline counterparts. : Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of operating on gasoline, E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), or a mixture of both. FFVs qualify as alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). They also qualify for AFV tax credits and can provide emissions benefits.
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All Gassed Up...Naturally
T
he natural gas industry has existed in the U.S. for over 100 years, and continues to expand due to technological advances and increased interest in non-petroleum fuels. In fact, natural gas is quite abundant in the U.S., but nonetheless is a nonrenewable resource. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates there are 2,543 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable natural gas remaining in the U.S., including undiscovered, unproved, and unconventional natural gas. That is enough natural gas to fill Lake Michigan at least 14 times. In 2010, the U.S. consumed approximately 23 Tcf of natural gas and less than 1% was used as vehicle fuel. What is natural gas and where does it come from? Natural gas can also be used as a liquid (liquefied natural gas A natural gas fueling station. or LNG), but is most popular as a gas (compressed natural gas or CNG). Natural gas mainly consists of methane, and is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It has a high octane rating and excellent properties for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. It is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic. Most natural gas is extracted from gas and oil wells, and much smaller amounts are derived from supplemental sources such as synthetic gas, landfill gas and other biogas resources, and coal-derived gas. The efficiency and success rate of drilling for natural gas wells has increased dramatically through technological advancement and innovation. Once extracted, natural gas is compressed and transported through vast inter- and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Before distributed to consumers, mercaptan (the rotten egg smell) is added by the utility to allow for easier detection of leaks. Natural gas as an alternative fuel Natural gas costs, on average, 1/3 less than conventional gasoline at the pump. The EIA reports that natural gas, on average, costs 42% less than diesel fuel on an energy equivalent basis and is expected to cost 50% less by 2035 as gasoline and diesel prices are expected to continue to rise. As a fuel, it costs about 50% less than gasoline or diesel and emits up to 90% fewer emissions than gasoline. Table 1. Overall Average Fuel Prices
Nationwide Average Price for Fuel This Report $3.46
Nationwide Average Price for Fuel Last Report $3.68
Change in Price This Report vs. Last Report ($0.22)
Diesel
$3.81
$3.95
($0.14)
CNG
$2.09
$2.07
$0.02
per GGE
Ethanol (E85)
$3.19
$3.26
($0.07)
per gallon
Propane
$3.06
$3.09
($0.03)
per gallon
Biodiesel (B20)
$3.91
$4.02
($0.11)
per gallon
Biodiesel (B99 - B100)
$4.18
$4.19
($0.01)
per gallon
Gasoline (Regular)
Source: Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2011.
Units of Measurement per gallon per gallon
Natural gas is used in two forms for vehicle fuel: compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). CNG is stored onboard vehicles in tanks at high pressures and gets about the same fuel economy as a conventionDecember ReFUEL | 11
al gasoline vehicle. CNG fuel is used for all types of vehicles. LNG is also stored onboard in tanks but in smaller quantities and in double-wall, vacuum-insulated pressure vessels due to the temperature requirements for the gas to remain a liquid. LNG fuel systems are typically only used with heavy-duty vehicles. Natural gas as a fuel also maintains several benefits with regards to emissions in comparison with conventional gasoline and diesel. Replacing a typical older in-use vehicle with a new NGV reduces the amount of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nonA compressed natural gas (CNG) tank in the back of a van methane organic gas, nitrogen oxides, and converted to run on natural gas. carbon dioxides emitted into the air. Additionally, NGVs emit up to 20% - 30% fewer greenhouse gases than comparable diesel and gasoline fueled vehicles. Natural gas in fleets Natural has as an alternative transportation fuel stems mainly from its clean-burning qualities, its domestic resource base, and its commercial availability. Worldwide, there are approximately 12,000 refueling stations and about 1,100 of those stations are in the U.S. with more being built in the coming years. Today, about 112,000 natural gas vehicles are on the road and more than 13 million worldwide. The International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles estimates that there will be more than 50 million natural gas vehicles worldwide within the next 10 years, or about 9 percent of the world transportation fleets. In the U.S., at least 30 different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) produce models that run on natural gas for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. In the transportation industry, the use of natural gas nearly doubled between 2003 and 2009, displacing more than 350 million gallons of fuel each year. Transit buses alone account for about 62% of all vehicular natural gas use. In fact, the American Public Transit Association reported in 2009 that 26% of all orders for new transit buses were for buses running on natural gas. The fastest growing segment for natural gas use in fleets is in the waste collection and transfer vehicles, which currently accounts for about 12% of vehicular natural gas use. Another major category is airports, accounting for about 9% of total vehicular natural gas use. More than 35 airports, including Mitchell International Airport, have their own NGV fleets and/or have policies encouraging use by private fleets operating on their premises.
Paper Transport has a fleet of over 200 trucks. Pictured is the refueling of one of seven trucks that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). 12 | December ReFUEL
If you would like to learn more about fleets using natural gas, please contact WCC-SEA!
How does a natural gas vehicle work?
A natural gas vehicle works much like a gasoline-powered vehicle with spark-ignited engines. CNG enters the vehicle through the natural gas fill valve (A) and flows into high-pressure cylinder (B). When the engine requires natural gas, the gas leaves the cylinders and passes through the master manual shut-off valve (C). Gas travels through the high-pressure fuel line (D) and enters the engine compartment. Gas enters the regulator (E), which reduces the gas pressure used for storage (up to 3,600 psi) to the required vehicle fuel injection system pressure. The natural gas solenoid valve (F) allows natural gas to pass from the regulator into the gas mixer or fuel injectors. The solenoid valve shuts off the natural gas when the engine is not running. Natural gas mixed with air flows down through the carburetor or fuel-injection system (G) and enters the engine combustion chambers where it is burned to produce power, just like gasoline.
Learn more by visiting: NGV America Business directory, policies, technologies, fleet resources, and more http://www.ngvc.org/index.html CNG Now! Basics, educational videos, vehicles, stations, blog, and news http://www.cngnow.com/pages/information.aspx EIA’s FAQ about Natural Gas http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/index.cfm#naturalgas NaturalGas.org A comprehensive information source for topics related to natural gas http://naturalgas.org/index.asp Wisconsin Public Service Commission An overview of the natural gas industry http://psc.wi.gov/utilityInfo/gas/index-naturalGas.htm Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum Connect with fleets and individuals using natural gas as a fuel http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/natural_gas_forum.html
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