Petronet is mooted to launch LNG buses and trucks for Kerala state roads soon
- Published | 04 February 2019
Petronet LNG limited, one of the India energy sector company, planning to introduce LNG buses and trucks in Kerala state will give a new initiative for pollution free country and will drive Indian natural gas market over forecast period.
India: Petronet LNG limited is presented a proposal to introduce LNG buses and trucks in the country and first batch of such buses will fold in Kochi. As a preliminary project, LNG buses will transport employees of Petronet LNG in Kochi in March or April. To facilitate the rolling out of LNG buses, four LNG outlet stations will be set up in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Edappally, and Kannur. Compared to CNG, LNG has a 2.5-fold energy density (can carry 2.5-fold volume of fuel in the tank compared to CNG) and this would facilitate the running of long-distance buses and trucks on LNG. Petronet LNG CEO Prabhat Singh said “We have imported four LNG buses. Two of them would be used in Kochi for transporting our employees,” The remaining two would be used for transporting employees of Petronet LNG in Dahej in Gujarat. He also said that talks have already been held with the manufactures of buses and trucks in the country to bring out LNG buses and trucks. LNG is 20-22% cost effective compared to fossil fuels. CNG buses are being used for operating city services and short distance services as the fuel tank can contain only less quantity of the fuel due to low energy density. If fuel tank of a vehicle can carry a maximum of 10kg of CNG, the same tank can accommodate 25kg if the fuel is LNG. Petronet LNG would convert one of the fishing boats owned by Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CIFT), Kochi to LNG-powered.
According to Vivek Yadav, analyst at BlueWeave Consulting, Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that has been cooled down to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. It takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state (at standard conditions for temperature and pressure). It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. Hazards include flammability after vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing, and asphyxia. Due to its high macroeconomic growth visions and increasing population, the country is facing major challenge in terms of growing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission. Natural gas is a key input required for generating power and manufacturing products in the fertilizer and steel industries. India plans to electrify millions of households that still burn wood for light, heat, and cooking. The natural gas would also be needed to provide power to electric vehicles, which India plans to account for all new car sales by 2030. India is also pushing for more scooters and motorcycles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), with pilot schemes recently launched in major cities including New Delhi and Mumbai. Beyond LNG, India is looking to access untapped domestic gas reserves off its east coast. As part of its drive to reduce pollution by increasing natural gas use, for this the government is encouraging Indian railway companies and LNG importers to look at fuelling trains by LNG instead of diesel.
According to BlueWeave Consulting’s upcoming report, Titled –“India LNG Market, By End-Use Segment (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Transport and Others), By Source (Crude Oil Distillation, NGL & LNG Fractionation and Imports), Size and Forecast, 2018-2025”- India LNG market is expected with grow with a significant rate in forecast period, 2018-2025. Owing to India’s high macroeconomic growth visions and increasing population, the country is facing major challenge in terms of growing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission. India plans to electrify millions of households that still burn wood for light, heat, and cooking. The natural gas would also be needed to provide power to electric vehicles, which India plans to account for all new car sales by 2030. India is also pushing for more scooters and motorcycles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), with pilot schemes recently launched in major cities including New Delhi and Mumbai. Beyond LNG, India is looking to access untapped domestic gas reserves off its east coast. As part of its drive to reduce pollution by increasing natural gas use, for this the government is encouraging Indian railway companies and LNG importers to look at fuelling trains by LNG instead of diesel. India also wants to become a hub for supplying ships that run on LNG, with plans to build more facilities like a fuelling station at Kochi port. LNG as a shipping fuel is being pushed by International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules that come into effect by 2020 and require the use of cleaner fuels.