NAFTC Photo

Australian Couple Attempts To Break Fuel Economy Record
International energy company Royal Dutch Shell recently announced it has joined with an Australian couple in launching a 70-day trip that will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency. According to Shell, John and Helen Taylor of Melbourne, Australia, will attempt to drive a standard production model Volkswagen Golf FSI 1.6 more than 17,900 miles across 25 countries, while refueling the vehicle 50 times or less. Accompanied by a crew in two Volkswagen Passat sedans, the Taylors began their trip on January 17 in London, England. Shell said the Golf would be fueled using the company’s new “Fuel Economy” gasoline formulation. Shell is the exclusive fuel provider for the trip. “The Taylors’ journey will provide Shell researchers with a unique opportunity to assess the performance and effectiveness of its new formulation and will also enable them to further develop fuel-efficient driving practices appropriate to widely differing road conditions,” said the company. “[This information] will be added to Shell’s ‘Fuel Stretch’ principles -- a set of tips developed to help drivers around the world achieve better fuel economy.” Contact: Fuel Challenge, Web site: www.fuelchallenge.com

Brazil To Spend $34.5 Million on New Biodiesel Facility
The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Brazilian government would invest approximately $34.5 million in a biodiesel plant to be built outside of Sao Paulo. According to AP, the plant will produce about 12.6 million gallons of the alternative fuel annually and generate more than $21 million in revenue for local farmers who will supply the oilseed feedstock. AP noted that the plant would begin operating in 2007. The facility will be run by Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras.

Hearst Ethanol One To Build Canadian Biomass-to-Ethanol Plant
MEMS USA, Inc., recently announced that its affiliate Hearst Ethanol One, Inc., (HEO) would construct a new biomass-to-ethanol conversion facility in Northern Ontario, Canada. According to MEMS USA, HEO will design, engineer, build, own, operate, and maintain the facility, which is expected to produce 227 million liters of ethanol annually. MEMS USA said the capital budget for the HEO project is $150 million. Contact: MEMS USA, Web site: www.memsusa.com

Beijing Permits Use of Electric Bicycles on City Streets
Chinese news service Xinhua reported last week that the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has rescinded the city’s ban on operating battery-powered electric bicycles on city streets, effective January 4. The news service said the city banned the bikes from public roads in 2002, citing concerns that their batteries were difficult to dispose of and posed a potential environmental hazard. According to Xinhua, electric bicycles that meet national standards and have been approved by the Chinese government may operate on city streets after they are registered with the Beijing Traffic Administration. Xinhua noted that the city decided to lift the electric bicycle ban due to increasing traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as limited fossil fuel supplies.

Beijing To Test Hydraulic Braking Systems on City Buses
Reuters reported last week that the city of Beijing, China, has installed new hydraulic equipment on fifty municipal buses in an effort to boost the fuel efficiency of the diesel-powered vehicles and improve the city’s air quality. The news service said the technology captures energy released as the buses slow and uses it to assist in acceleration. According to Reuters, Chargeboard Electric Vehicles Company, Ltd., the manufacturer of the hydraulic brake systems, claims that the technology will cut the buses’ fuel consumption by more than 30 percent, while reducing emissions between 20 and 70 percent. Reuters said Beijing officials noted that the systems will be tested in the buses for a period of up to two years and could be fitted on the city’s entire fleet of 18,000 buses, depending on the results of the tests.

Chang’an To Increase Low-Emission Vehicle Development
Chinese news agency Xinhua recently reported that Chongqing-based automaker Chang’an Automobile Company, Ltd., has revealed plans to boost its investment in low-emission vehicle development. According to Xinhua, the company’s 3-billion-yuan (about $371.9 million) investment was spurred by the Chinese government’s decision to rescind policies that limit the development of such vehicles. Xinhua noted that Chang’an also intends to introduce a new “economical” vehicle model later this year.

China Natural Gas Completes $10.4-Million Equity Financing
China Natural Gas, Inc., (CHNG) a China-based U.S. public natural gas services provider that owns and operates a 120-kilometer-long compressed natural gas (CNG) pipeline in China’s Xi’An area, recently announced it has completed a $10.4-million equity financing with a group of accredited U.S. and international institutional investors. The company said it intends to use the proceeds of the financing to accelerate its development and acquisition of retail CNG filling stations, as well as for general corporate purposes. “CHNG is on track for strong earnings growth under our growth and expansion plan in 2006,” said CHNG chief executive officer Minqing Lu. “We continue to experience favorable market environment in which taxi drivers’ demand for compressed natural gas as a cost-efficient alternative fuel to gasoline has far exceeded our ability to supply at the retail level. This strategic financing will allow CHNG to expedite the construction of several company-owned natural gas filling stations as well as acquisition of several existing natural gas filling stations to fill demand.” CHNG noted that Wall Street investment bank New York Global Securities, Inc., is the placement agent for the fund raise, while New York law firm Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference, LLP, acted as legal counsel related to the financing. Contact: Minqing Lu, CHNG, phone: 86-29-88323325; Web site: www.naturalgaschina.com

Hythane To Introduce Alternative Fuel Buses in China
The Hythane Company recently announced it has signed memorandums of understanding with five major cities in China to test and convert as many as 10,000 diesel buses powered by the company’s low-emission vehicle fuel system. According to the company, Hythane is a blend of natural gas and hydrogen that is capable of reducing emissions by up to 50 percent compared to traditional natural gas. Hythane noted that the project looks to achieve full conversion prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. “Assisting China in developing its transportation and energy strategies is a huge opportunity for the company,” said Hythane President Roger Marmaro. “The initial test phase over the next six to nine months will help set the stage for large-scale market rollout.” Contact: Hythane, Web site: www.hythane.com

Save the World Air Appoints Exclusive Chinese Distributor
Save the World Air, Inc., recently announced it has appointed Golden Allied Enterprises Company, Ltd., (GAE) to serve as the exclusive distributor for its ZEFS and CAT-MATE emissions-reduction devices in China. According to Save the World Air, the company’s subsidiary STWA Asia Pte., Ltd., and GAE entered into a distribution agreement that provides for the sale of up to 11.5 million devices over five years with an initial order of 100,000 units to be placed by the end of July and minimum increasing targets for orders in successive years of the agreement. Save the World Air noted that sales under the agreement are contingent upon the company completing EURO2 testing in Shanghai prior to March 31. Contact: Eugene Eichler, Save the World Air, phone: 818-487-8000; Web site: www.savetheworldair.com

Research and Markets Examines European CNG Trends
Dublin, Ireland’s Research and Markets recently announced the availability of a new report, titled “Extended Expert View: CNG in Europe -- Current Trends and Future Prospects,” which examines the existing penetration of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a road fuel in Europe and highlights its future prospects. “Globally, CNG consumption is heavily concentrated into a small number of markets,” said Research and Markets. “Collectively, Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, and Italy account for 78 percent of the world’s CNG-powered vehicles. In Europe, other than in Italy, CNG use remains very minimal.” The report concludes that, as the advantages of CNG become increasingly evident, the onus must now be on governments to further develop use of the alternative fuel in Europe. Contact: Research and Markets, Web site www.researchandmarkets.com

Technip Wins Contract To Build French Biodiesel Unit
French engineering contractor Technip recently announced that Diester Industrie has awarded the company a turnkey contract to build a biodiesel production unit based on the Axens process outside of Compiegne, France. The company said the new unit would have a capacity of 100,000 tons per year and will double the site’s current production. The unit is expected to become operational during the third quarter of this year. According to Technip, the plant will produce biodiesel through the “transesterification” of vegetable oils. Transesterification is a chemical reaction during which a fat or oil is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. Contact: Laurence Bricq, Technip, phone: +33-0-1-47-78-26-37.

Genxt Power India To Offer New Evera Electric Bicycle
The Financial Express recently reported that Genxt Power India has developed a new electric bicycle that will sell for 30,000 rupees (about $680). According to the newspaper, the electric bicycle, dubbed Evera, is capable of traveling 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) per charge at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour (about 25 miles per hour). The paper noted that the Evera will be available for sale in April 2006.

Cummins Westport Launches BGI Engine Manufacturing in India
Cummins Westport, Inc., (CWI) and Cummins India, Ltd., (CIL) recently announced the limited production launch of CWI’s B Gas International (BGI) natural gas engine in India. According to CWI, the BGI engine, which was unveiled at the Auto Expo in New Delhi earlier this month, will be supplied to such original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as Tata Motors. The engine is currently in service in the Starbus in New Delhi. Manufacturing will take place at CIL’s Daman facility in western India. Contact: Heather Merry, CWI, phone: 604-718-2046; Web site: www.westport.com.

Seoul Considers Reduced Parking Fees for Clean Vehicle Owners
The Korea Times recently reported that the government of Seoul is looking to institute reduced parking fees for those driving electric or hybrid electric cars, vehicles powered by fuel cells or compressed natural gas, and emission-compliant gas-powered vehicles. According to the newspaper, clean vehicle drivers would pay 80 percent less than the standard fee for parking at area subway stations and half the cost of that for parking in public lots. The paper noted that the government plans to submit its proposal for the adjusted fee structure to the Seoul City Council in February.

ECI To Host Bioenergy Conference in Portugal
Engineering Conferences International (ECI) will host “Bioenergy -I: From Concept to Commercial Processes,” an event designed to address the challenges facing the production of bioenergy and the research being conducted to solve the technical, scientific, and economical barriers to widespread adoption, from March 5 through 10 in Tomar, Portugal. A welcoming reception will be held on the evening of Sunday, March 5, with the event officially opening the following morning with a group of sessions focused on fuel alcohols from grains and sugar, including a plenary lecture on “State-of-the-art Production of Fuel Ethanol Using Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzymes.” Later in the day, sessions will focus on fuel ethanol from biomass and cellulosics, including a plenary lecture providing an overview of recent advancements in lignocellulose to ethanol conversion technology. On Tuesday, sessions will cover biohydrogen and biogas, including a plenary lecture reviewing different biohydrogen production routes, while Wednesday will offer sessions related to biodiesel, including a plenary lecture titled “Techno-Economical Assessment of Biodiesel Alternatives.” The conference’s final two days will feature sessions in the area of biomass thermal conversion, as well as those concerning environmental, economic, policy, and energy balance issues. Contact: ECI, Web site: www.engconfintl.org

South African Groups Join To Reduce Diesel Bus Idling
South African newspaper the Cape Times reported earlier this week that the city of Cape Town has joined with the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company and Table Mountain National Parks to launch a new initiative that will encourage operators of diesel-powered tour buses in the Cape Peninsula region to shut off their engines while passengers are sightseeing. The newspaper noted that drivers typically leave their engine sidling to operate the buses’ air-conditioning system, increasing air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Cape Times, the organizations will distribute brochures to bus operators explaining how idling diesel-fueled buses harm air quality and contribute to excessive GHG emissions. The newspaper said the program would initially target areas of the peninsula with fewer tourists, eventually moving to areas with higher densities of tourists.

BPP To Open Three NGV Fueling Stations in Bangkok
The Bangkok Post reported last week that Thai fuel provider Bangchak Petroleum Plc (BPP) has announced it would open three new natural gas vehicle (NGV) fueling stations in Bangkok this month, with plans to open an additional seven NGV stations by the end of the year. According to the Post, Thai energy company PTT Plc will cover the $180,000 to $255,000 cost of building each station, under the condition that BPP and PTT will share any profit produced by the stations. The newspaper noted that each station would offer between 200,000 and 300,000 kilograms of NGV fuel daily. The Post said BPP hopes to become Thailand’s top alternative fuel provider in 2006, with increased sales of ethanol-blended gasoline and biodiesel supplies.

Articles released with permission from: EIN Publishing - Copyright © 2005 by EIN Publishing, Inc.
119 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314