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5 Things You Need to Know About Natural Gas Stations
By Jennifer Olvera
What a Natural Gas Station Is
Natural gas stations — that is, those offering fueling of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) — offer an alternative to gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuel. Considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative, CNG is made by compressing natural gas (typically methane) by about 75%. Then, it's stored and dispersed in hard, sphere-shaped containers that allow for equal pressure on the container walls. The network of CNG stations continues to grow every year, although it is dwarfed by the immense nationwide infrastructure of stations dispensing traditional gasoline and diesel fuels. By contrast, LNG — which is made from natural gas that's converted to liquid form for ease of storage and transport — is a less cost-effective alternative to petroleum and CNG because it demands a costly cooling process and cryogenic storage tanks. LNG is used exclusively by commercial vehicles like big rigs. Cars exist that run on CNG fuel but, are not mass-produced today with the exception of Honda's Civic GX. This natural gas vehicle is identical to a conventional gasoline-powered Civic in appearance and performance.
How Natural Gas Vehicles are Fueled
Usually, gas at CNG stations is sourced from the local gas utility line at a low pressure. It's then compressed and is kept in storage tanks at high pressure. There are two types of equipment for fueling natural gas: fast-fill, which uses a large compressor and a high-pressure storage tank system; and time-fill, which uses a smaller and less costly compressor with no storage. The latter takes about an hour per gallon to fill. Natural gas is a considerably more cost-conscious fuel than petroleum or diesel. Although CNG and LNG prices do fluctuate, on average they cost significantly less than conventional motor fuels. Offsetting the cost advantage is the higher cost of natural gas vehicles because of their costly storage cylinders and specialized components, and a dearth of convenient natural gas stations.
How To Find Natural Gas Stations
Natural gas stations can best be located through alternative fuel websites. The U.S. Department of Energy's site, http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_locations.html, offers one of the most comprehensive listings available.
Drawbacks that Challenge Natural Gas Stations
CNG takes up more space than conventional gasoline. That means CNG not only requires more storage space at natural gas stations but also in a car running on compressed natural gas. Because the fuel tank will be larger, the car's roominess may be compromised.
You Can Fuel a Natural Gas Car At Home
Owners of natural gas vehicles can consider installing a home refueling appliance called "Phill" in their garage, which hooks up to city gas line and fuels CNG-powered vehicles. It's expensive (up to $4,000), although incentives are often available to offset its price. Also, this is a slow fill system so filling up a vehicle is usually done overnight. It takes about 12 hours for a full fill-up.
Jennifer Olvera, a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, has been writing professionally for over a decade. In addition to covering the "green scene" for publications such as Where Magazine and Crain's, she has become one of the preeminent dining, food, and entertainment writers in Chicago. She has regularly been published in Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Zagat, Citysearch.com, and Gayot.com.
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