Jakarta sees cleaner air through CNG use

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an effort to overcome the limited piped gas network in the capital, the Jakarta administration plans to adopt a mother-daughter system to distribute compressed natural gas (CNG).

Under a mother-daughter system, gas is compressed at a mother station and delivered via a "tube trailer" to a daughter station. Mother-daughter systems are usually implemented when piped natural gas is not available.

"We will conduct a pilot project using the mother-daughter system in Jakarta next year," Peni Susanti, head of the City Mining Agency, told reporters Wednesday.

The plan to introduce a mother-daughter system is aimed at supporting the central government's blue sky project to improve air quality in the city.

Jakarta is currently the pilot project city for the blue sky project, which requires all public transportation to use CNG.

Peni said many of the existing fuel stations in the capital were located far from gas pipe networks.

The agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the operators of Pertamina, Shell and Petronas fuel stations to construct more stations selling CNG.

Of the 264 fuel stations in Jakarta, only seven currently sell CNG.

"Many of the fuel stations have allocated space for CNG outlets, but they are yet to receive CNG supplies," she said.

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) earlier said the existing gas network could only meet some 40 percent of the gas demand in the capital.

The existing gas pipes are located along Jl. Daan Mogot, Jl Raya Pluit Utara, Jl. Raya Pluit Timur, Jl. R.E Martadinata, Jl. Sunter Barat, Jl. Sunter Selatan, Jl. Yos Sudarso, Jl. Kelapa Gading, Jl. Raya Bekasi and Jl. Pemuda.

The CNG project was first introduced in 1997, but because of the limited number of fuel stations selling CNG, public interest has remained low.

Some taxis, which previously used CNG, have gone back to using diesel.

In 2005, the administration issued a bylaw on air pollution control requiring all public transportation to switch to CNG.

To meet the target, the administration, PGN and Pertamina signed an MOU on a sustainable supply of CNG in the capital.

Pertamina, the state oil and gas producer, will guarantee the fuel supply, while PGN will be responsible for distribution.

Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo called on the operators of fuel stations to improve the quality of fuel to help improve the city's air quality.

"Since there are only a few industries operating in the capital, the air pollution is largely due to the poor quality of fuel used by vehicles," he said at a seminar organized by the City Mining Agency.

"We need more eco-friendly fuels to help clean the city's air."

Fauzi, who will be installed as governor next month, said his office will set tougher standards for fuel sold in Jakarta to meet European emissions standards and help improve the quality of air in the capital.

The government announced the implementation of Euro II emissions standards at the beginning of this year, requiring the use of unleaded gasoline or diesel with low sulfur content with a maximum of 500 ppm (particle per milliliter).

However, sulfur content in diesel fuel sold throughout the city still sits at around 3,300 ppm.