Just a few years ago, some of the largest energy producers in America realized that our natural gas supply is so abundant, that it resulted in a balance of supply and demand. Incredible news, because let's face it, there is a big demand for energy in this country. Those two energy producers combined to form Encana as well as a division that focuses on the implementation of Natural Gas, finding new uses in terms of power generation, industrial use, and transportation fuel. The developments have been rewarding.
On this week's Driving Force Radio - Energy 101 edition, we talk with David Hill, Vice President Natural Gas Economy Operations for Encana, working identify uses for Natural Gas.
They started by looking at their own operations,making themselves the example. One step was implementing the use of natural gas in place of other fuels. For example, Encana started using natural gas in their own trucks, which lead to the conversion of 1500 vehicles in their fleet. Now, their reach has extended to exploring the conversion of their supply chain and the development of compressed natural gas refueling solutions as well as liquid natural gas stations. Now, Colorado has 32 such stations in the state.
Additionally, fifty percent of Encana's drilling rigs use natural gas instead of diesel.
Consumers will benefit from the advances Encana and other corporations make by embracing the conversion ahead of the mass market. One of the biggest obstacles is convincing auto manufacturers to produce natural gas bi-fuel vehicles. Hill says companies like Encana have made headway, but it's up to consumers like us, to talk to our local dealerships, requesting natural gas models of the vehicles we want to drive. Until legend of such requests get back to the auto-makers, they'll continue to argue that there's no demand in the marketplace.
This interview is filled with great information about natural gas advancements. Hill even addresses Jan's safety concerns about natural gas (it's so safe!)
Listen to Driving Force Radio at 10:00AM Saturday morning on KNUS 710. You can also listen to the podcast on Talkzone or watch our video version in two segments below.
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DFR- Energy 101 with Encana Part one
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DFR - Energy 101 with Encana Part two
Fun fact: As the second largest producer of Natural Gas in the U.S., Encana produces 30BSF billion cubic feet of Natural Gas Per day in North America.