Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum 2018 Meeting Summary

The 2018 Natural Gas Technology Forum (NGVTF) meeting was held on Feb. 21 and 22, 2018, in Downey, California. Following is a summary of the meeting.

Day One: February 21, 2018

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Peter Chen, California Energy Commission (CEC)

This funding includes $4 million for transportation research to support high efficiency, low emissions, production ready natural gas engines for long haul applications and natural gas compression ignition to achieve diesel like performance. Other research areas include the reduction of carbon emissions and increased use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector.

Funding has increased from $3—$4 million annually to $29.5 million triennially with the aim of establishing long term, as opposed to annual, goals. Some of the targets will be to address engine availability above 12L and aim for near-term optional low NOx and on-board diagnostic certification for commercial viability.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Update

Dennis Smith and Mark Smith, DOE

Dennis Smith called attention to an increase in positive and insightful questions from DOE leadership regarding natural gas and propane technologies. He spoke of the continuing traditional Clean Cities activities with the release of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Maintenance Facility Modification Handbook; conversions, retrofits, and repowers guide; along with the alternative fuel and advanced vehicle search and list. He discussed the new mission for Vehicle Technology Integration to be more focused on feedback to inform future research and development activities. This will include hosting workshops to collect data and solicit feedback, as well as training on gaseous fuel facility upgrades, which was funded by a previous funding opportunity announcement, and are now being rolled out.

Mark Smith discussed takeaways from the natural gas workshop held at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in July 2017. DOE management is asking very specific questions related to gaseous fuels and what roles these fuels can play versus battery and electric vehicle sources. They want to know what is working in the field and what are the next challenges. This can be facilitated by the NGVTF as well as Clean Cities coalition workshops, which are designed to bring together fleet managers to solicit their feedback on technology gaps and future research and development needs. DOE would like to emphasize what is still needed to show that there is still work to be done in the field. The focus will be on reducing barriers and increasing global competitiveness of the U.S. economy. This will be accomplished by improving energy efficiency while reducing operating cost for business and consumers. DOE wants to see NGVTF continue and management is interested in finding ways to continue financial support for the future.

Update on Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Natural Gas Funded Research

Michael Weismiller, DOE VTO

Michael Weismiller discussed the potential to increase use of natural gas in transportation while improving energy diversity and having a positive economic impact, with a minimal effect on greenhouse gases. New policy drivers in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) state that agencies should invest in early-stage, innovative technologies that show promise in harnessing American energy resources safely and efficiently. This allows for the private sector to focus on later stage research. The primary focus out of OMB will be to concentrate on early-stage technology readiness level (TRL) 2—4.

Weismiller also presented highlights from the summer workshop held at NREL regarding NGV research. Feedback from NGV researchers in attendance focused on research into diesel-like efficiencies and in-cylinder chemistry, low-temperature combustion, and advanced ignition systems. Emissions controls strategies were also discussed, such as catalyst research and development to address methane oxidation, low-temperature control to enable more efficient engines, and catalyst durability for NGV’s. Weismiller also mentioned that low NOx was recognized as an important market driver. He concluded with a discussion of how the National Laboratories could collaborate on many of these technology projects moving forward.

Southern California Gas Company Updates and Natural Gas DevelopmentProjects

Cherif Youssef, Southern California Gas Company

Southern California Gas is working to address more efficient and low NOx energy use among their ratepayers. The vision that Youssef brought forward was of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Their funded work includes: near zero NOx engines, accelerating commercial viability and availability, compression and refueling, fuel systems and storage, and off-road applications including marine and rail. Moving forward the company would like to focus on engine efficiency and performance with the goal of natural gas keeping up with diesel and continue promoting the use of near-zero natural gas engines.

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Technology Program Overview

Fred Minassian, SCAQMD

SCAQMD recognizes the need to continue to reduce NOx from the mobility sector. Minassian discussed the continued cancer risk presented by diesel exhaust. He noted that although models show that the risk continues to be reduced, more work needs to be done. SCAQMD is also continuing to focus their efforts on reducing NOx emissions from both onhighway and off highway modes of transportation. Funding needs to be set aside to accelerate commercialization and incentives for fleet turnover in California. SCAQMD recognizes that national markets are needed to accomplish these emissions reductions along with original equipment manufacturer participation.

Panel Discussion on Natural Gas Pathways, Vehicles, Storage, and Infrastructure: Dennis Smith and Mark Smith (DOE), Fred Minassian (SCAQMD), and Rey Gonzalez (CEC)

High Horsepower Update

Erik Neandross and Jon Leonard, Gladstein Neandross & Associates (GNA)

Within the work that GNA is doing they are finding momentum in the area of liquefied natural gas for ships and ferries, whereas rail deployment of natural gas is being hindered by the low cost of oil. Neandross discussed expanding opportunities for marine vessels&mdasha large contributor to emissions in the South Coast air basin. He also spoke to the extent these vessels can use renewable natural gas (RNG). Based on RNG capacity and investment, markets for RNG are running out, so ports become one possible expansion of use. Neandross said that more work needs to be done to improve the performance of natural gas engines in these applications.

Leonard gave an overview of GNA’s yard hostler demonstration project in conjunction with CEC. The project was centered around using a Cummins Westport 6.7L low NOx engine in a port truck application. Up to this point all the natural gas engines in use in these applications have been 8.9L engines, rather than the more common 6.7L. This engine has yet to be used in this application and is driving TICO Manufacturing to possibly offer this yard hostler to others for both CNG and liquefied natural gas applications. In use emissions testing is expected to begin soon.

On Board Methane Sensing

Kent Johnson, University of California at Riverside

The University of California at Riverside is working on a project to develop and demonstrate an inline natural gas composition sensor. The primary interest is focused on the heat index (Wobbe Number) in the initial phase, but they discovered that looking at other constituents would also be important&mdashin particular the methane number/index. By using this type of sensor, manufactures can sense the potential for knock early on and protect the engine against it. The university’s goal is to deliver a sensor in June to Cummins Westport Inc.

(CWI) so they can begin incorporating it into future engine designs.

Dedicated Exhaust Gas Recirculation 12L Natural Gas Engine Project

Michael Kocsis, Southwest Research Institute

Kocsis discusses the Dedicated Exhaust Gas Recirculation (D-EGR)12L natural gas engine project that is working to reduce the current efficiency loss found in natural gas engines using current advanced EGR techniques. This is a co-funded project with CEC to help overcome some the measured efficiency loses when compared to diesel. The project proposes D-EGR on a Cummins ISX-12G that has been combined with an advanced ignition system and combined with a high efficiency turbo, which could increase engine efficiency.

Heavy Duty Engine Development and Updates

Stephen Ptucha Cummins Westport CWI

Stephen Ptucha discussed development of CWI engines for heavy-duty applications. He said the NGVTF funding partners have been instrumental in putting CWI engines on the road today. However, the largest detractor from the CWI ISX12L near-zero engine has been the efficiency penalty. This is one of the main items that CWI is currently working on. The engine builds upon the architecture from the 8.9L near-zero engine. This new engine uses an electric drive closed crankcase ventilation system that is mounted on the engine for simplified packaging in multiple applications. On-board diagnostics are expected to be the big change for 2018 as this is complicated and costly with only limited visible improvements to the customer. Advancements within the 6.7L engine focused on the new heavy-duty onboard diagnostic requirements. There is potential for this engine to be near zero in the future, but it is currently certified to the 0.1g NOx standard as compared to the EPA standard of 0.2g. Market adoption has been slow and has not predicated that this lower level be pursued at this current time.

Power Solutions Inc. (PSI) Updates on Natural Gas Engine Platforms

Jeff Hall, PSI

PSI has three business divisions with engines in the alternative fuel area. Hall stated that all three divisions have potential for natural gas engines. They have been collaborating with General Motors for both natural gas and propane engines. PSI is looking at future directinjection engines, but currently all platforms are port fuel injection.

Day Two: February 22, 2018

Natural Gas Plug-In Hybrid Class 8 Truck

Jim Burns, Transpower

Jim Burns discussed natural gas plug-in hybrid Class 8 truck development. The funding path is set for the demo of a natural gas plug-in hybrid Class 8 truck that could be used in over the road applications. Transpower is using a 3.7L Ford natural gas engine as it’s auxiliary power unit to charge the batteries that propel the vehicle. There are limitations with configuration in that the engine is not optimized for natural gas thus limiting its overall emission profile. With continued development and the ability to receive a future engine that can use an open controller would help in both efficiency and maximized duty cycle operation. Meritor has recently invested in Transpower and is providing significant controls and possible simplification to the system. This new investment will help Transpower develop this technology further and create a more compact integration footprint.

Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program

Tim Olson, CEC

Olson discussed the outlook for natural gas in California focused on RNG and near-zero engines. The projection for on-road diesel demand looks to be flat until roughly 2026 despite population growth. This is a result of increased alternative fuel use along with greater efficiency of modern diesel engines. There are approximately 3 billion gallons of biomethane capacity today with a total use of 150 million gallons currently. There are currently between 13,000 and 15,000 heavy-duty natural gas vehicles in California with an RNG capacity that could support 70,000 vehicles.

Transient Plasma Ignition System for Natural Gas Engines

Dan Singleton, Transient Plasma Systems

Transient Plasma Systems uses an ignition approach based on nanosecond pulses that are fundamentally different in physics than other plasma ignition systems. It is designed to require less energy than traditional high energy spark systems enabling it to have a longer system lifespan. The company is currently developing a direct replacement system for today’s modern coil over plug systems. The benefits of this system come from enhanced chemistry that is produced through its chemically reactive species.

Renewable Natural Gas Production Update

Gavin Gretter, Trillium

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production has seen sharp growth within the last four years with 44 RNG facilities currently operating and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Renewable Identification Number (RIN) generation. The vast majority of these facilities are producing RNG from landfill gas because of the ease of feedstock availability. RIN price volatility has grown over the past 15 months as a result of concerns about program stability, expiration of the blender tax credit, and concerns about the market’s ability to meet mandate levels. As indicated earlier, California dominates the RNG market. There is no long-term market for the RIN’s, with California being the largest driver and consumer of these RIN’s. CNG for vehicle consumption earns a lower Carbon Intensity (CI) score from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) than diesel or gasoline. However, RNG’s CI score is even lower than that of CNG.

High Efficiency Spark Ignited Natural Gas Technology Development Program

Rod Beazley, Westport

Beazley discussed Westport’s division that was formed in 2012 focusing on high efficiency spark ignited systems. This program initially started with the 5.0L and 3.7L gaseous prep Ford engine platforms. The goal of these projects was to design a smaller natural gas engine that could replace a diesel engine with similar performance. Another goal of the project was to provide for a 40% increase in peak torque over the diesel engine with near zero emissions. The next steps are to tighten the calibration to increase performance and fuel economy, conduct road tests, and provide for a demonstration program in California.

Vehicle Incidents and Lessons Learned

Dan Bowerson, NGVAmerica

Bowerson discussed NGVAmerica’s Technology & Deployment committee’s incident investigation and root cause analysis working group. The working group partnered with the U.S. department of Transportation, industry, and national laboratories to investigate incidents involving natural gas vehicles. The group’s goal is to understand the root cause of incidents and make sure that codes and standards provide appropriate coverage. Bowerson covered multiple incidents that the committee is currently researching.

CSA NGV4.3-2018 Temperature Compensation Guidelines for Compressed Natural Gas Fueling

Tony Lindsay and Jason Stair, Gas Technology Institute

NGV4.3 was recently published to fill a need identified at previous NGVTF meetings regarding safety performance guidelines to prevent overfilling of dispensing systems into natural gas vehicles. This standard can be used to assess proper temperature compensation of in-service commercial dispensing systems. It also informs the impact of natural gas composition variability and its effect on temperature compensated fills.

CSA Codes and Standards Update

Brent Hartman, CSA Group

Hartman discussed recently published CSA codes and standards along with codes that are currently in development.