ETI selects Element Energy to lead the delivery of a software tool to calculate the potential for natural gas as a HDV fuel

The project will develop a software modelling tool that will quantify the greenhouse gas emissions which would be produced in the extraction, processing, transportation, storage and use of natural gas as a potential HDV fuel.

Natural gas is a potential long-term substitution for existing liquid fuel based technologies in heavy duty vehicles, but more research is required to assess the economic likelihood of this pathway. The software tool that Element Energy will develop will calculate the total greenhouse gas emissions (known in the industry as “well to motion”) and the subsequent associated costs for different gas production pathways. It will also consider how the influence of product development over time could influence the cost, performance, technology choices and the market take-up of liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas.

Element Energy, the strategic energy consultancy specialising in the analysis of and technical insights into low carbon energy markets are the prime contractor delivering this year long £300,000 contract. They are joined with sub-contract support from University College London, one of the world’s leading universities, CNG Services Ltd, providers of consultancy and project management services in relation to the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel and Strateco AB, a commercial advisory and research company with 30 years of experience in heavy and light duty natural gas vehicles.

Darryl Hylands, project manager, HDV at the ETI who is managing the project said:

“Our HDV efficiency programme is seeking to increase fuel efficiency in UK HDV’s by 30% because there are limited low carbon options for replacing fossil fuels as the energy source for HDV’s. A key greenhouse gas abatement opportunity we have identified is the use of natural gas as a fuel in HDV’s. This particular project allows us to explore this potential alternative pathway, and the results will provide a greater understanding of whether this is a reality or not.”

Alex Stewart, associate director from Element Energy added:

“ETI research has identified natural gas as a potential alternative fuel. Our role in the project is to bring together the very latest data on the costs and emissions of different natural gas pathways into a powerful modelling tool, working closely with industry and academic experts. The outputs will give new insights into how to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of using natural gas in heavy vehicles.”

Watch ETI’s project manager Darryl Hylands explaining the announcement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fslyvmYPkfMfeature=youtu.be