I don't think there will be any problems increasing demand for LNG... the sticky issue will be increasing LNG infrastructure to facilitate getting supply to end users -- for example, building out LNG fueling stations for (at first) the long-haul and local fleet trucks, and eventually (perhaps? maybe?) for passenger vehicles... I know that locally, the transit district is going to either convert some of the CNG buses to LNG and/or get some new LNG buses direct -- all as a proof of concept/cost analysis... about half of the San Diego NCTD fleet is CNG now with the goal of using attrition to end up with an all-ng fleet -- but deciding whether to stick to CNG only, or move to a mix of CNG and LNG, or possibly over 10 years going all LNG... one advantage San Diego has is the infrastructure for LNG is already here, including a terminal that is import only for now, but will also be export enabled in 2-3 years, 15 miles south of the border in Baja.
Also, a new ng-power plant replacing the ancient one in Carlsbad is slated to begin operation using ng, but since LNG is 600 times more compact than gaseous ng, and with the infrastructure already in place to offload oil (they haven't used oil in over a decade) as well as several connections to ng pipelines, they are seriously considering the ability to use either ng or lng -- this plant is literally 100 ft. from the ocean water desal plant coming online in a couple months... efficiency opportunities abound. |
