This document discusses Dane County's compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet. It provides information on what CNG and bioCNG are, the financial and environmental benefits of using CNG, and details on Dane County's existing CNG fleet including the types of vehicles and costs of conversion. It also outlines considerations for expanding the CNG fleet further such as fueling infrastructure, maintenance training, and regulatory hurdles. Dane County's strategic plan is to convert most or all of its fleet to CNG and find partners to help with fueling stations and developing bioCNG opportunities.

1. Dane County CNG Fleet
John Welch, PE
Solid Waste Manager
Dane County
August 19, 2014

2. What is CNG?
•CNG - Compressed Natural Gas (methane)
•Compressed to 3600 psi
•Used as vehicle fuel
What is bioCNG?
•CNG derived from biogas
•WWTP, digesters, landfills, etc

3. Why CNG?
•Financial
–Less than $2.00/gallon
–Less price fluctuation
–Revenue source for landfills
•Domestic Fuel Source
–Security
–Local jobs
•Noise – 80-90% reduction
•Safe
•Environmental Benefits

4. Environmental Benefits
Burns Cleaner
–Vehicle maintenance
–60–90% less smog-producing pollutants
–30–40% less GHG emissions
–Lower carbon intensity

5. Environmental Benefits
Fuel
Carbon Intensity
(gCO2e/MJ)
Gasoline
95.86
CNG from Pipeline
68.00
CNG from Digester
13.45
CNG from Landfill
11.26
http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/121409lcfs_lutables.pdf

6. Vehicles
•40+ vehicles in fleet
–Some dedicated
–F150s, F250s, F350s,
Ford Fusion, Transit Connect,
Plow Truck
–7 Departments
•Conversion cost
–$8,500 - $13,000 each
–$60,000

7. Vehicle Conversion Options
•Dedicated, bi-fuel, or dual fuel
–Available options & intended use
–Range
–Typical route (return to shop?)
•Direct from manufacturer or OEM conversion
–Available models
–Warranty / service
–Cost

8. CNG Vehicle Considerations
•Costs – Capital and O&M
–Higher upfront costs
–Comparable maintenance costs
•Range & Load (tank size & configuration)
•Management & Implementation (Drivers)
•Vehicle Performance
–Dyno testing
–Driver Experience
–Maintenance
–Safety

9. Vehicle ROI
•Variables
–Initial Conversion Cost
•Dedicated or Dual-fuel
–Miles driven per year
–MPG
–Fuel Savings
~$2.00/gal

10. Vehicle ROI Examples
Vehicle
Conversion Cost
MPG
Miles/yr
GGE/yr
Payback
Savings After Payback
Car
$9,000
25
25,000
1,000
4.5 yrs
$7,000
Pickup
$10,000
15
30,000
2,000
2.5 yrs
$16,670
Garbage Truck
$50,000
3
24,000
8,000
3.125 yrs
$62,000
Delivery Van
$30,000
6
25,000
4,200
3.6 yrs
$37,000
Note: Does not include any grant funds or maintenance costs

11. CNG Fleet Considerations
•Equipment maintenance
–Local options?
–Tools and training
•Building Modifications
–Code compliance
•Training
–Technicians, drivers,
Department heads, etc

12. Hurdles
•Vehicle Procurement
–EPA Certifications
–Limited options
–Delays
•Fueling Station
Availability
•Learning Curve
–Permitting, codes, regulatory agencies, taxes, maintenance, etc

13. Future of CNG in Dane County
•Dane County - 10 yr Strategic Plan
–Convert most/entire fleet to CNG
–Looking for partners – fueling stations
–Looking for bioCNG opportunities

14. Questions?
John Welch
Solid Waste Manager
608-267-8815
welch@countyofdane.com