Cadent to pipe bio-gas to HGV refuelling stations

CNG Fuels is developing a nationwide network of public access HGV refuelling stations on major routes to reach fleet operators all over the UK.

Stations are supplied with biomethane via the existing gas grid, compressing it into fuel at the point of delivery.

By spring 2020 it expects to have six refuelling stations in operation, supplied by Cadent.

The stations will serve major trunk roads and cities, and will be capable of refuelling up to 3,000 HGVs a day.

The company is also consulting on how its network of refuelling stations can best accommodate hydrogen gas and battery electric technologies for HGVs, to offer these when they become commercially viable.

Ed Syson, chief safety and strategy officer at Cadent, said: “We are transforming and future proofing our networks so we can deliver low carbon gases cost-effectively to provide clean fuels for HGVs and other difficult to decarbonise transport sectors.

“Today we are  helping to decarbonise road transport by delivering renewable biomethane, from producers connected to our networks, to CNG Fuels’ network of refuelling stations. We are already building on this with our partners to provide hydrogen solutions for a net zero future.”

With all the focus on electrification, the low carbon combustion fuels might be overlooked. But it is vital to remember that net zero can be delivered in a number of ways

 

Andy Eastlake, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership

CNG Fuels supplies bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) fuel, produced from renewable biomethane. While it currently sources biomethane from food waste, it is in the process of securing supplies of biomethane from manure.

The Solihull-based company will be the only dedicated provider of public access CNG refuelling infrastructure.

The John Lewis partnership has committed to replace its entire 500-strong fleet with CNG vehicles by 2028 while parcel company Hermes also plans to replace its 200-strong fleet of diesel trucks.

Other major brands adopting biomethane include Argos, ASDA and Cadent.

Manure gives off methane, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential at least 28 times that of  carbon dioxide, according to the US environmental Protection Agency. 

The EU’s revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) recognises biomethane from manure as a carbon negative fuel, and the UK is expected to adopt it in 2021 regardless of Brexit.

The company says that the fuel cuts vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85%, as well as reducing costs by 35%-45%.    

Philip Fjeld, chief executive of CNG Fuels, said: “We want to help decarbonise freight transport and enable fleet operators to meet net zero targets now, supporting the UK’s climate targets.

“Renewable biomethane sourced from manure is currently the best low-carbon solution for HGVs, but we want to be ready to support our customers when other technologies are commercially viable for freight transport.”

Andy Eastlake, managing director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, said: “With all the focus on electrification, the low carbon combustion fuels might be overlooked. But it is vital to remember that net zero can be delivered in a number of ways.

“The LowCVP welcomes genuinely zero (or even negative) carbon solutions which exist here and now and we must accelerate the uptake of these fuel solutions, particularly in the more challenging operations such as heavy road vehicles where they can best displace fossil diesel.”

 

 

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