GE signs MOU with China’s Endurance Industry for 260 CNG In A Box systems; fueling for natural gas vehicles
17 September 2013
China-based Endurance Industry, a well-established manufacturer of oil and gas, environmental and auto equipment, has signed a memorandum of understanding with GE for the purchase of 260 CNG In A Box systems (earlier post) over the next three years.
The CNG In A Box system compresses natural gas from a pipeline using a GE high-speed reciprocating compressor (HSR) into CNG on-site at a traditional automotive fueling station or industrial location. The partnership announcement was made in conjunction with the grand opening of GE’s high-speed reciprocating compressor manufacturing facility in Shenyang, China.
The CNG In A Box system provides Endurance and its customers with a small-scale, plug-and-play compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling solution, helping to increase local natural gas fueling infrastructure throughout China. It is designed specifically to address the country’s rapid urbanization—which is creating an increased demand for fuel for vehicles and industrial uses—and to alleviate increased stress on its limited natural gas pipelines.
CNG fueling through the CNG In A Box solution reduces CO2 emissions by 24% (2.2 metric tons per vehicle, per year as compared with gasoline), and its CO, NOx, PM and VOC reduction benefits are even greater. A vehicle using CNG can reduce annual fuel costs by up to 40%, assuming 27,500 miles per year driven, gasoline priced at $3.50/gallon and CNG at $2.09/gasoline gallon equivalent.
The CNG fuel station configuration that GE is supplying to Endurance features a standard-sized CNG In A Box unit with multiple, smaller “daughter” stations running off of it. This design minimizes the need for pre-existing natural gas pipelines. The advanced monitoring capabilities of the larger station enable it to automatically feed into the smaller stations when fuel is running low to reduce wait times typically associated with China’s current natural gas fueling infrastructure.
An integral part of GE’s natural gas solutions including the CNG In A Box system is the HSR compressor. These compressors are the core technology in the creation of small and modular gas monetization solutions from optimizing production at a gas or oil well site, creating power in remote areas to transforming the transportation industry with CNG and liquefied natural gas (LNG) alternatives.
GE’s new Shenyang HSR compressor facility creates a local supply chain for this technology, cutting lead times by up to 50% for regional customers and providing local service support. During the first phase of operation, the Shenyang facility will build to a production capacity of 300 HSR units per year, with the potential for further expansion as the local industry develops. This new capacity for the China market is in addition to GE’s primary HSR manufacturing facility, located near Houston, Texas. This localized manufacturing initiative enables customers to implement GE’s natural gas solutions quickly and economically.
The first sets of HSR units produced from the Shenyang facility already have been purchased by Chinese customers CIMC Enric and Jerrywon Energy Equipments Co., Ltd. The new facility, which opened in June, was built at a preexisting GE facility in Shenyang that specializes in renewable energy and flow and process technologies.
GE Oil & Gas’ new manufacturing facility is part of the company’s strategy to localize its footprint and bring advanced fueling technology closer to its customers. The opening of its HSR manufacturing facility allows GE to establish itself as a local expert in China in the unconventional resources space with its innovative natural gas solutions.
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