LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California
Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it has signed a contract with
Onboard Dynamics, Inc. (ObDI) to fund the demonstration and testing
of a new mobile natural gas compressor that can be used to re-fuel
compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles no matter where they are. The
mobile natural gas compressor is made in the U.S. and reduces the
need for CNG cars and trucks to travel to public CNG stations and
instead brings clean-burning natural gas refueling to the
vehicles.
"This mobile technology provides a cost-effective and convenient
refueling solution for smaller CNG operators," said Lisa Alexander, vice president of customer
solutions and communications for SoCalGas. "This, in turn, may lead
to an accelerated adoption of CNG, which would contribute to
improved air quality and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
compared to petroleum-based fuels."
CNG is projected to emit less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other
greenhouse gas emissions and can be more affordable than gasoline
or diesel. Since there are fewer than 2,000 CNG refueling stations
in the U.S., innovative technology, such as this mobile CNG
compressor, could help to fuel smaller CNG fleets like school buses
in a more cost-effective manner. The compressor will allow
customers to refuel without driving to a retail refueling station
or incurring the significant upfront investment of building a
conventional CNG refueling station. Larger heavy-duty fleet
operators who are considering converting to CNG vehicles may also
find the compressor beneficial in the early phases of transitioning
their fleets to alternative fuels.
Designed to be compact, affordable, simple to install and easily
transportable, the mobile compressor will be powered by natural
gas, unlike other technologies that require an external electric
power source for operation. Thus, it can also act as a capacity
boost for existing CNG compressor stations or as a reliable backup
source during emergency events in which electrical generators are
offline.
"We are excited to introduce a mobile compressor that
effectively provides CNG refueling options without the need for
electric power," said Rita Hansen,
chief executive officer, ObDI. "Our technology can potentially
reduce CNG production costs, increase efficiency, improve
reliability and lower criteria emissions compared to previous
engine-driven products."
SoCalGas and ObDI will begin a demonstration project of the
technology in the summer of 2017 with Mountain View School District in El Monte, Calif. and Antelope Valley Schools
Transportation Agency in Lancaster,
Calif. SoCalGas has committed funds from its Research,
Development and Demonstration program for the demonstration of this
project, and ObDI will be responsible for project management,
system design, performance monitoring and onsite maintenance of the
compressors.
Additional funding and support for the development of the
compressor was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced
Research Projects Agency – Energy, ONAMI, Oregon BEST, Portland
Seed Fund, NW Natural and other utilities and private
investors.
About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean,
safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 145
years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility,
providing service to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9
million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service
territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout
central and Southern California,
from Visalia to the Mexican
border. SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:
SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego.
About Onboard Dynamics, Inc.
Onboard Dynamics, Inc. seeks to lower fuel costs and carbon
emissions by removing barriers to driving natural gas-powered
vehicles. Its product line integrates natural gas compression into
automotive engines, allowing drivers to refuel from any low
pressure natural gas supply line. Founded in 2013, Onboard Dynamics
is based in Bend, Oregon. Several
patents covering the company's innovative technologies are being
pursued.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company