Change Energy engages with municipalities and utilities on the development of alternative fuel solutions for transit properties and municipal fleets. Work has ranged from feasibility assessments to the development of large scale refuelling infrastructure. Of particular note is the design and development of the 120+ bus refuelling facility for the transit fleet in the City of Hamilton.
Hamilton Street Railway
Problem: Since the late 1980’s, the City of Hamilton has been successfully operating as many as 120 48-passenger natural gas transit buses. With HSR’s decision to increase their natural gas bus fleet, the need arose to plan an upgrade to the existing CNG refuelling station (a Change Energy 2002 project) at their Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) Upper James Operations Centre. HSR’s preference was to not be responsible for owning and operating the facility. In 2015, HSR recommitted to natural gas and undertook a complete renovation of the facility in cooperation with Union Gas Limited.
Solution: Complete makeover of the existing refuelling station that comprised of compression, storage, and vehicle dispensing.
In fulfilling its contract to deliver a turn-key project Change Energy Services worked as subject matter experts to provide:
Station design and budget
Existing equipment assessment for ongoing use
New equipment specification
Approvals and permits
HazOp assessment
Commissioning, acceptance testing and start-up management
Operation & Maintenance documentation
Operator training
Assistance with equipment procurement, Installation and maintenance contracts, and project management
Turnkey Refuelling Station
Compression
1000 installed compressor HP
3200 scfm (3875 kg/hr)
Suction pressure 100-200 psig (7-14 Barg)
Nominal discharge pressure 3600 psig (248 Barg)
Storage
4 ASME cylinders
Buffer configuration
Capacity of 46,284 SCF (900 kg)
Pressure at 4500 psi (310 barg)
Vehicle Dispenser
3 single hose dispensers
Capable of fuelling 2 buses and 1 light vehicle on a priority basis
Average fill time 4-6 minutes per bus
Daily transit vehicle fill cycle from 11pm to 5am