Dane County CNG Fleet John Welch, PE Solid Waste Manager Dane County August 19, 2014
Jan 18, 2015
Dane County CNG Fleet
John Welch, PE
Solid Waste Manager
Dane County
August 19, 2014
What is CNG?
• CNG - Compressed Natural Gas (methane)
• Compressed to 3600 psi
• Used as vehicle fuel
What is bioCNG?
• CNG derived from biogas
• WWTP, digesters, landfills, etc
Why CNG?
• Financial
– Less than $2.00/gallon
– Less price fluctuation
– Revenue source for landfills
• Domestic Fuel Source
– Security
– Local jobs
• Noise – 80-90% reduction
• Safe
• Environmental Benefits
Environmental Benefits
Burns Cleaner
– Vehicle maintenance
– 60–90% less smog-producing pollutants
– 30–40% less GHG emissions
– Lower carbon intensity
Environmental Benefits
Fuel Carbon Intensity (gCO2e/MJ)
Gasoline 95.86
CNG from Pipeline 68.00
CNG from Digester 13.45
CNG from Landfill 11.26
http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/121409lcfs_lutables.pdf
Vehicles
• 40+ vehicles in fleet – Some dedicated
– F150s, F250s, F350s,
Ford Fusion, Transit Connect,
Plow Truck
– 7 Departments
• Conversion cost – $8,500 - $13,000 each
– $60,000
Vehicle Conversion Options
• Dedicated, bi-fuel, or dual fuel – Available options & intended use
– Range
– Typical route (return to shop?)
• Direct from manufacturer or OEM
conversion – Available models
– Warranty / service
– Cost
CNG Vehicle Considerations
• Costs – Capital and O&M – Higher upfront costs
– Comparable maintenance costs
• Range & Load (tank size & configuration)
• Management & Implementation (Drivers)
• Vehicle Performance – Dyno testing
– Driver Experience
– Maintenance
– Safety
Vehicle ROI
• Variables
– Initial Conversion Cost
• Dedicated or Dual-fuel
– Miles driven per year
– MPG
– Fuel Savings
~$2.00/gal
Vehicle ROI Examples
Vehicle Conversion
Cost
MPG Miles/yr GGE/yr Payback Savings
After
Payback
Car $9,000 25 25,000 1,000 4.5 yrs $7,000
Pickup $10,000 15 30,000 2,000 2.5 yrs $16,670
Garbage Truck $50,000 3 24,000 8,000 3.125 yrs
$62,000
Delivery Van $30,000 6 25,000 4,200 3.6 yrs $37,000
Note: Does not include any grant funds or maintenance costs
CNG Fleet Considerations
• Equipment maintenance
– Local options?
– Tools and training
• Building Modifications
– Code compliance
• Training
– Technicians, drivers,
Department heads, etc
Hurdles
• Vehicle Procurement
– EPA Certifications
– Limited options
– Delays
• Fueling Station
Availability
• Learning Curve
– Permitting, codes, regulatory agencies, taxes,
maintenance, etc
Future of CNG in Dane County
• Dane County - 10 yr Strategic Plan
– Convert most/entire fleet to CNG
– Looking for partners – fueling stations
– Looking for bioCNG opportunities