China: Kunlun Helps Build “Green” Xuzhou

On 7 June 2013, supported by the Xuzhou Municipal Government in Jiangsu Zhongyou Kunlun Energy, of which Kunlun Energy is the holding company, collaborated with Xuzhou Public Transportation on introducing a fleet of 209 gas-electricity hybrid buses to the operation of 11 bus routes in the downtown area, further expanding the picturesque landscape in the green city.

In 2013, Xuzhou Public Transportation Company made a one-off purchase of 500 gas-electricity hybrid buses, and expects a total of 662 buses of this type to be in service by the end of the year. On 7 June, the first fleet of 209 buses was put in service, while the remaining 291 buses are expected to be in service in August. As estimated, 500 gas-electricity hybrid buses in service will help save an annual fuel consumption of 2,000 tons, and reduce the carbon dioxide emission of 8,000 tons. To ensure the timely refueling service, Jiangsu Zhongyou Kunlun Energy Investment Limited constructed, invested, and operated five natural gas refueling stations in Xuzhou, three of which are the designated LNG refueling stations to service these hybrid buses.

The new hybrid bus has a vehicle frame of 12 meters by length, and use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the major fuel. Distinguished from traditional fuel-powered buses, the hybrid bus reduces the comprehensive emission by approximately 80% with almost zero PM 2.5 emission according to the comprehensive emissions standard. Such bus also boasts other advantages, including smaller noise, recoverable braking energy, and lower fuel cost.

As part of the energy conservation campaign, Xuzhou’s large-scale replacement with eco-friendly buses is embodied in a specific operation by Kunlun Energy to facilitate the low-carbon development in Xuzhou. In addition to the introduction of these gas-electricity hybrid buses, the Company started to explore collaboration with Xuzhou Public Transportation Company on the initial service of 162 LNG-powered buses in March. Currently, LNG-powered buses’ safe service received positive feedback amongst the Xuzhou citizens.

According to the plan implemented by Xuzhou Municipal Traffic Bureau and Xuzhou Public Transportation Company, the gas-electricity hybrid buses will cover transportation service throughout the entire city by 2015, thus successfully implementing and developing the scheme of “Green Xuzhou with an Ecological Homeland” in the public transport service.

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LNG World News Staff, July 2, 2013