Cars to get compressed natural gas soon

Initially, hundreds of vehicles owned by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) will be converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Last updated:
Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ

Residents in the UAE will soon be able to convert their cars to compressed natural gas.

This follows an ambitious project undertaken by the Directorate of Natural Gas at Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority.

Initially, hundreds of vehicles owned by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) will be converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), a Sewa source told Gulf News.

The project has been approved by Sharjah Executive Council and its main aim is to introduce efficient, cleaner energy.

"It's the right time to introduce CNG to run vehicles. Petrol prices are going up and it will not only save petrol but also reduce air pollution and help protect the environment," said Ali Pasha, an automobile engineer.

He said the use of CNG in cars was already common in other countries, especially where petrol prices were high.

"This project will be a big step towards conservation of fuel and to meeting the future needs of the country," he said.

As part of the first phase of the project, the directorate will suggest using CNG as an alternative to petrol for government vehicles, buses and taxis. Gradually, other vehicles can then start using it. CNG filling stations will be set up in different parts of the city.

Sewa is also planning to use natural gas in air-conditioning systems.

"This will reduce the emirate's power consumption by 70 per cent. It will also be easier for the authority to provide a power connection for new buildings," an official said.

Once the study is approved, he said, Sewa would implement the new system in industrial units and later in residential areas.

Ali Abdullah Al No'man, director general of Sewa, recently told Sharjah Consultative Council the introduction of gas for air-conditioning units would not only help consumers cut down on their electricity bills, but also save electricity production costs for the department.

Sewa's project to supply Sharjah with natural gas is considered the first of its kind in the country. Costing Dh500 million, it is nearly completed.

Clean energy

  • Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a popular form of high-pressure natural gas, used as fuel for vehicles. Natural gas is mostly methane. Others include butane, propane, ethane and other trace gases.
  • CNG is produced by compressing natural gas at 3,000 to 3,600 psi pressure.
  • Natural gas is usually transmitted by pipeline to refuelling stations and compressed with the help of specially installed compressors to enable it to be loaded as gas cylinders for vehicles.
  • Vehicles that are equipped with appropriate fuel conversion kits and tanks (gas cylinders) can run on CNG

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