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The Potential of Renewable Methane in North America NGV America Conference. Advanced Transportation Technologies. Clean Transportation Solutions SM. John Boesel, President & CEO October 9, 2006.
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The Potential of Renewable Methane in North America NGV America Conference Advanced Transportation Technologies Clean Transportation Solutions SM John Boesel, President & CEO October 9, 2006
WestStart Has 130 Participating Organizations (partial list)
Sweden Biogas Industry • 25 biomethane production (refineries) facilities • 65 biomethane filling stations • Industry growing at annual rate of 15-20% • >8,000 methane gas vehicles in Sweden • 50% of methane from bio sources
Biomethane Ranks High as a Cost-Effective Strategy to Reduce GHG Emissions Source: Swedish Energy Agency
Green-Gas Principle Residential housing Biogas Industries Natural gas Filling stations
Gothenberg Gas Utility Sets 100% Renewable Target CEO, Goteborgi Energi • Municipal Corporation provides gas to nation’s 2nd largest city • 50% of methane in system already from bio-sources • Digester-based technology • By 2050 will phase-out natural gas by developing synthetic gas • Biomass to methane • BC wood chips as feedstock • Targeting 2010 for opening of first Syngas plant Members of CA Delegation
Volvo Debuts Polyfuel Vehicle • Volvo previews a five-fuel Multi-Fuel prototype vehicle at Michelin Bibendum in Paris • Optimized to run on bioethanol E-85, natural gas, bio-methane, gasoline and Hythane blend (10% H2, 90% natural gas) • Meets virtually all known emission standards in the world
Relevant Swedish Public Policies • National legislation requires almost all fueling stations to provide at least one alternative fuel • >300 E-85 stations • 65+ methane (biomethane and natural gas) • (CA “Trigger” provision requires oil companies to supply alternative fuel when vehicle population exceeds 20K) • Lower annual vehicle tax (registration fee) for alternative fuel vehicles • In Stockholm, alternative fuel vehicles don’t pay congestion fee • Mandatory green waste recycling
MOU Inked Between State of California and Kingdom of Sweden • MOU pledges two governments and related industry partners to work together to develop bioenergy • Build-off Swedish expertise and knowledge Undersecretary Desmond, Minister Sommestad, Commissioner Boyd
Biomethane Potential in CA • Gross Methane Potential is • 125 Billion ft3/Year • Technical Methane Potential is • 23 Billion ft3/Year • Technical Methane Potential from Dairy Waste is • 14 Billion ft3/Year • Enough to Fuel 250,000 Cars Source: University of California
Tulare • 165,000 Cows • =30,000 Cars • 3 mi Circles
PG&E Proceeding with Biomethane Pipeline Plan • EPC signs agreement with PG&E allowing use of pipeline to transmit biomethane • “This initiative is promising because it offers new supplies that are renewable, cost-effective, and located within the state,” Vice President of PG&E’s California Gas Transimission, Bob Howard
Next Steps for CA Biomethane Transportation Market • Bring Swedish experts to California to conduct biomethane production and refueling feasibility study at major CA dairy in San Joaquin Valley • Secure state & federal funding for biomethane transportation demonstration project • Addressing regulatory barriers (water permitting issues)
Green-Gas Principle Residential housing Biogas Industries Natural gas Filling stations
Potential Benefits of “Green Gas” Program in CA/US • Stronger environmental support for NGVs • Climate change will become the predominant driver going forward • Stronger argument for NG as a transitional feedstock for Hydrogen • Environmental benefits of NG Hybrids increase (and thereby provide greater justification for incremental cost) • On environmental basis could rival plug-in hybrid EVs depending on power generation mix • Means for allowing utilities to meet renewable portfolio requirements
Ethanol Industry Starting to Use Biogas • Not all corn ethanol created equally – • E3 Biofuels (Kansas) using biogas to reduce field to vastly improve field to wheels GHG emission profile for ethanol
AES Investing in Biogas – Sees Opportunity in GHG Credits • AES providing $325 million over five years to convert ag and animal farm waste into energy • By 2012 AES plans to generate 20 million tons of GHG emission reductions • Biodigesters will be registered with United Nations and appropriate government agencies to qualify for credits under Kyoto Protocols
The Needed Transportation Solutions Air Quality Balances all three competing needs Integrated Solutions Needed Climate Change Energy Security
Clean Transportation SolutionsSM Advanced Transportation TechnologiesSM www.weststart.org www.calstart.org