Gas Networks Ireland supports Virginia International Logistics to fuel Compressed Natural Gas fleet
Gas Networks Ireland today entered into an agreement with Virginia International Logistics to develop a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) private station at its premises in Virginia Co. Cavan. As part of this agreement, Gas Networks will install, maintain and operate the CNG equipment. Construction on the project will get underway next summer with the dispensing unit expected to be in operation by the end of 2020.
CNG is natural gas which has been compressed to fit into a Natural Gas Vehicle’s (NGV) tank and is particularly suitable for use in commercial vehicles. It is a proven alternative to diesel or petrol and reduces transport costs by up to 25% and carbon emissions by over a fifth. In the future, these vehicles can achieve zero carbon transport when operating on renewable gas.
While Heavy Good Vehicles (HGV) and buses account for only 4% of vehicles on Ireland’s roads, they account for 30% of all emissions in the road transport sector. There are an estimated 25 million NGVs in operation worldwide, and almost two million in Europe.
CNG for transport is one of the key gas technologies set out in Gas Networks Ireland’s Vision 2050 published earlier this year which outlines how it can reduce Ireland’s total carbon emissions by one third and create a net zero carbon gas network.
Additionally, Gas Networks Ireland has already successfully injected renewable gas into the Irish network and a second gas injection facility is currently in the planning process in Co. Cork. This facility will produce renewable gas for heating and transport, supporting Ireland’s growing CNG fleet to switch zero carbon renewable gas.
Ian O’Flynn, Head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs at Gas Networks Ireland said, “Ireland’s transport emissions continue to rise, while this is the by-product of much welcomed economic and employment growth, as a country we face significant challenges to meet our emission reduction targets. Gas Networks Ireland is leading the development of this new, cleaner transport network, to support Ireland in reducing its carbon emissions and to give Ireland’s fleet operators sustainable energy options.”
Virginia International Logistics has been focussed on reducing the emissions from their fleet since 2012. In 2012, they trialled dual fuel vehicles and last year, they made the switch to Compressed Natural Gas and currently have seven low carbon NGVs on the road, with an additional 20 on order for delivery in early 2020. All of these trucks can run on renewable gas.
In October, Virginia International Logistics became the first haulier in Ireland to complete a zero carbon Heavy Goods Vehicle’s (HGV) delivery to Europe. The trucks were fuelled by compressed renewable gas also known as Bio Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to transport freight to the continent.
Eamon Cole, Director, Virginia International Logistics said, “This is the latest low carbon milestone for us. Transport is changing and we are proud to be leading the way in Ireland in moving to a cleaner energy future. As part of our “Green Logistics” policy, introducing CNG fuelled vehicles is one of the ways we are reducing our carbon footprint. The customer demand for alternate fuel transport is also increasing as companies focus even more on having a lower carbon supply chain. Embracing CNG also contributed to being awarded International Haulier of the year and Irish Haulier of the year at the Fleet Magazine Awards last year.”
More on Gas Networks Ireland’s Vision 2050 can be found on: www.gasnetworks.ie/vision2050
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
About Gas Networks Ireland:
Gas Networks Ireland is the business division of Ervia that owns, builds and maintains the natural gas network in Ireland and connects all customers to the gas network. Gas Networks Ireland operates one of the most modern and safe gas networks in the world and ensures that 700,000 homes and businesses receive a safe, efficient and secure supply of natural gas, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Ervia is a commercial semi-state multi-utility company with responsibility for the delivery of gas and water infrastructure and services in Ireland.
About Virginia
Virginia International Logistics (VIL) is a family owned business which was founded in 1982. With locations in Virginia, Co. Cavan; Kells, Co. Meath; Ballycoolin, Co. Dublin and Tamworth in the UK, VIL currently employs over 180 people. With a fleet of 120 trucks including CNG Vehicles and over 400 trailers, VIL operates temperature controlled, dry freight, bulk liquid and containerised trailers for all sectors including food, electronics, pharma, manufacturing and ADR dangerous goods.
About Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
CNG is natural gas which has been compressed to fit into a Natural Gas Vehicle’s (NGV) tank and is particularly suitable for use in commercial vehicles. It is a proven alternative to diesel or petrol and reduces transport costs by up to 25% and carbon emissions by over a fifth. There are an estimated 25 million NGVs in operation worldwide, and almost two million in Europe.
CNG is the ideal fuel for decarbonising large Ireland’s HGV and Bus fleet which makes up just 4% of vehicles on the road, yet is responsible for approximately 30% of transport’s emissions. Switching to CNG can reduce a Heavy Goods Vehicle’s (HGV), emissions by up to 22%. In the future, these vehicles can achieve zero carbon transport when operating on renewable gas. Gas Networks Ireland has a strategic plan to achieve 20% renewable gas on the network by 2030.
In addition to CNG, the use of BioCNG in the same vehicle results in ultralow or zero carbon transport. Renewable Gas can be produced indigenously or can be imported through Gas Networks Ireland’s interconnectors, however in order for the wide range of economic and social benefits of BioCNG to be maximised, it is important that the production of bio-methane is supported in Ireland.
In August Gas Networks Ireland and Circle K, launched Ireland’s first publicly-accessible, fast-fill CNG station at Circle K’s Dublin Port premises. The project is co-financed by Gas Networks Ireland, NUI Galway and the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility as part of Gas Network Ireland’s Causeway Project.
¹ Compared to diesel, CNG delivers the following emissions savings:
|
Comparison |
% Reductions |
|
Emissions reduction |
Up to 22% reduction on diesel |
|
Nitrous oxide (NOx) |
70% reduction in emissions |
|
Sulphur dioxide (SOx) |
80% reduction in emissions |
|
Particulate matter |
99% reduction in emissions |