Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) switch to green gas

Time for change

In an industry of tight margins, fierce competition and stringent regulations, a high-investment move of this magnitude can seem overwhelming for haulage operators. Replacing an entire fleet of heavy goods vehicles and the supporting infrastructure is a considerable investment for any company, requiring a carefully structured approach to the procurement policy. However, early adoption of greener energies will deliver lower operating costs over the short, medium and long term.

Of course, careful consideration should be given to both vehicle selection and the energy to power them, to allow companies to meet the changing carbon targets and eventually sever the link with volatile oil prices.

The benefits of going green

Switching to greener energies will clearly convey the haulage company’s commitment to sustainability and raise its profile in the community. Manufacturers and retailers are increasingly looking for an environmentally-responsible logistics partner to help them meet their own sustainability targets, so an HGV fleet powered by green gas could give a haulage company the edge it needs when competing for new business contracts.

Natural gas engines are up to fifty percent quieter than their diesel counterparts, with electric HGVs the quietest of them all. This enables vehicles to operate unnoticed in urban areas outside normal business hours, easing congestion and making fleet operations more flexible.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen will certainly have a crucial role to play in the future of both the haulage and public transport sectors. This energy source is produced by separating it from other elements in water and fossil fuels. It can be compressed into gas or liquefied to make it easier and more economical to transport. However, while hydrogen is emission-free at the point of use, it relies on energy to produce it. Hydrogen can be graded into many different colour groups dependent on the production process, however, there are three core classifications:

• Green hydrogen is the cleanest form. It is made by using electricity from renewable sources (solar or wind) to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This is the future: carbon-free hydrogen.
• Blue is low-carbon hydrogen which is produced using a steam reforming process, where CO2 is generated, captured and stored underground.
• Grey is the most common form of hydrogen production. This hydrogen is generated from natural gas or methane, using steam methane reformation that produces CO2. Grey hydrogen is essentially the same as blue but without capturing the greenhouse gases made in the process.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Liquefied Natural Gas is a colourless and odourless liquid fuel. Created over millions of years from the decomposition of organic materials, LNG is a powerful and high-performance energy, ideal for the haulage industry.

LNG is made by cryogenically cooling natural gas to -162°C, making it safer and more cost-effective to transport and store. Whilst not a truly ‘green’ energy, it is considered to be the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels.

As well as being both non-toxic and non-corrosive, LNG is unable to spontaneously combust unless it reaches the unthinkable temperature of 650°C, which is more than twice that of diesel.

LNG is better for the environment too as, unlike diesel, there is no need to worry about the risk of leaks or contamination and substantial clean-up costs.

TSG Gas is here to help

TSG has been renowned for supplying equipment to the retail fuel industry for over 30 years and will continue to support all fossil fuel sites for the foreseeable. However, TSG is now making a name for itself in the new energy sector, by supplying, installing and maintaining the necessary equipment to assist haulage operators to make the switch to greener energies.   This includes all types of CNG and LNG plants and dispensers, and Hydrogen compressors, electrolysers and dispensers.

TSG is now established as the UK’s first-choice engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for all new energies (including electricity and solar), delivering all works within a predefined timescale and budget for any application.

Furthermore, TSG provides an unrivalled aftersales service to support its customers post installation. Operating seven days a week, TSG has a large team of highly skilled technical engineers and advisers on hand for every eventuality. It is clear that the key to successful energy transitions is for customers to have the utmost confidence in the reliability of the equipment and to trust TSG is protecting their investment.