Yet another piece of good news in the Philippine energy sector. Callandra CNG Fuels Corp announced that the Philippine Department of Energy has approved their application to invest in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector of the Philippines. This is Callandra’s first investment in Asia.
Callandra will setup 6 CNG refuelling stations that can service 5,000 buses a day. CNG president Randall C. Antonio said that the stations are expected to by finished by 2010.
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After almost 4 years, Compressed Natural Gas buses will finally be able to service the populace of Manila. Starting Monday, 11 buses will ply the main thoroughfare known as EDSA giving free rides to commuters. Passengers won’t be charged a cent in this pioneer run till the 3rd of April.
It is expected that the savings in operation will be about P 4000/day ($100 at P40=$1) compared to a diesel powered bus.
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Just when we thought that the only energy cartel that we had to contend with is OPEC, soon to announce a formation of a cartel next week are the major exporters of Natural Gas (according to Forbes magazine). The most probable members are Russia, Venezuela, Iran, Qatar, Indonesia and Algeria. I wonder why there was no mention of Brunei?, considering that they are also a major exporter.
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On Dec 15, Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke piloted a B-52 bomber from Edwards Airforce Base, on a test flight powered by synthetic fuel. The fuel is a 50-50 blend of Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuel. The fuel is derived from Natural Gas via the Fischer-Tropsch method.
Part of the test flight involved checking fuel consumption as well some operational manuevers : Simulated bomb runs, aerial refueling, speed-down maneuver and some throttle bursts.
Officials said the eight-engine test further demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to using alternate fuels and is the next step in the testing and certification process before the fuel can go into widespread use.
Next steps to be taken are testing the fuel if it can start at cold temperatures. This will happen around January-February next year.
Article here via Airforce Link
CNG powered buses might soon be plying the streets of Manila in June 2007 when the first Shell CNG station opens. More than two years after the ground breaking of the refilling station(March 2005.)
This bodes well for the Philippines in breaking it’s addiction to foreign oil by relying on her natural resources to power her economy by means of the Natural Gas Vehicles for Public Transport Pilot Project (NGVPTPP)
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