4.13.09

Even Dr. Phil might like this compressed natural gas station
By: Algis J. Laukaitis, Lincoln Journal Star

There's a lot of talk these days about plugging an electric car into an outlet and recharging it from home.

Now, there's a device that will allow you to do something similar only with compressed natural gas.

The natural gas vehicle refueling appliance, made by the FuelMaker Corp., is called a Phill station and it can be mounted in your garage. Vehicles equipped with special composite tanks can be filled with compressed natural gas (up to 3,600 pounds per square inch) overnight and be ready to go the next day.

A Phill station is not a place to get your daily fix of TV's "Dr. Phil." It's a device that allows people to refuel compressed natural gas vehicles at home, using a household natural gas line. Here are some other things you should know about Phill stations:

How much does it cost?

About $4,000, plus installation. Federal tax incentives could be available to offset the cost.

Where can it be installed?

Typically, on the wall of a garage. The only storage tank is inside a vehicle.

Are Phill stations available in the U.S.?

Yes, but only in select areas in 22 states. They are more common in Europe.

Where can I get one?

A-1 United Heating & Air in Omaha is licensed to install Phill stations.

Who sells compressed natural gas vehicles in the area?

O'Daniel Honda of Omaha is a licensed dealer.

For more information check out the following Web site: http://www.myphill.com.

Also check out the following video on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AS23ax-huc

Or you can attend the "Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles" workshop in Omaha on Wednesday (APRIL 15) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Registration fee is $60.

The Phill station is not cheap though, costing about $4,000 plus installation. You also need a vehicle that can burn natural gas.

"We feel there is a potential for this," said Dan Mechtenberg, vice president of Nebraska natural gas operations for Black Hills Energy.

Mechtenberg sees a future for Phill stations and natural gas-powered vehicles because they are more environmentally-friendly, emitting fewer greenhouse gases than diesel and gasoline. He also said using natural gas would help lower our dependence on imported oil because it's an abundant domestic fuel.

The Metropolitan Utilities District, along with Black Hills Energy and Lincoln Composites, are sponsoring an April 15 workshop in Omaha to talk about the future of compressed natural gas vehicles for homes and businesses. M.U.D. and Black Hills Energy supply natural gas to Omaha and Lincoln, respectively. Lincoln Composites manufactures the tanks used in compressed natural gas vehicles.

Organizers say the goal of the conference is to raise awareness among consumers and educate them about the technology. More than 100 participants from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska are expected to attend the daylong workshop.

Black Hills Energy plans to target vehicle fleets right now, offering companies a reduced rate on their natural gas. Potential customers include: city and school bus operations, trash haulers, city maintenance vehicles and heavy construction vehicles like dump trucks. No reduced rate is available for residential customers.

Filling up vehicles with compressed natural gas is not a new concept. M.U.D. has been doing it for more than 15 years and currently has a fleet of 66 vehicles that can use compressed natural gas as fuel, said Mari Matulka, spokesperson for the Omaha-based utility.

The big difference is that M.U.D. uses a fast-fill industrial station which can fill up a vehicle in minutes. A Phill station takes overnight to fill a vehicle's tank with compressed natural gas.

According to FuelMaker, there are only about 800 public fueling stations in the U.S. The Phill station eliminates the need to go to a commercial station and can save people time.

"We estimate about a 10-year payback on the Phill equipment at today's prices for gasoline and natural gas, both of which are fairly low," said Black Hills Energy spokesman Bob McKeon. "Though that payback period would change as prices for both fuels increase or decrease."

Matulka said she only knows of one household -- a family in West Omaha -- that is installing a Phill station. However, she said, a taxi cab company has expressed an interest in converting 200 of its vehicles to compressed natural gas.

Black Hills does not currently have the infrastructure to serve every household in Lincoln but Mechtenberg said the company would work with interested customers to supply them with natural gas.

Media Relations: 402.504.7169
After hours and on weekends: 402.504.7946

Click here to add your e-mail address to the newsrelease distribution list.

News archive