What follows is his interview in verbatim.
A: From what I gathered from reports in the internet and conferences, it seemed Iran now has the world largest population of natural gas vehicles and the number of natural gas vehicles and refueling stations are continuing to grow. There also already existed related CNG components and equipment manufacturers producing OEM natural gas vehicles, CNG cylinders, CNG valves and fittings. etc,. However these components are mainly for local supplies and consumption and are not well-known outside of Iran. The achievement of Iran in developing its market and industry development is not well-known outside of the country.
A: I think this is one area that the CNG industry has yet to achieve - to show beyond doubts that the CNG industry helps to clean up dirty air and can meet the green energy goals. Even though natural gas vehicles are cleaner than gasoline, diesel and LPG vehicles, not many success stories from the field had been reported or published with regard to how it had help to achieve clean air and green energy goals. Many doubted that the aftermarket conversion of vehicles to CNG really helps to clean up the air and many pointed out that CNG is still a fossil fuel.
A: This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on what it means by green energy. Natural gas is acknowledged as a clean fuel compared to coal, oil (gasoline. diesel, fuel oil, etc) and LPG, but it is still a fossil fuel. Thus, can we consider natural gas, a fossil, a green energy? However, if we continue to indiscriminately burn coal and oil, instead of shifting to natural gas, the world will not be a nice place to live sooner than the time when we can run everything on true green energy. Can we considered electric or hydrogen vehicles running on true green energy as compared to fossil natural gas vehicles? Not if the electricity are produced from coals or natural gas; and hydrogen produced from electrolysis using electricity from coal and natural gas or hydrogen being produced from natural gas. Can we consider vehicles running on bio-fuels from plants, grass, vegetable oils, etc, running on true green energy as compared to fossil natural gas vehicles? We can debate on this issue for a long time and meanwhile the earth is suffering from air pollution from vehicles burning oil. Natural gas vehicles is currently the only commercially viable and available clean fuel for vehicles.
A: As I said, not many people outside of Iran are aware of the CNG industry in Iran. Not many are aware that there are over 3.5 millions natural gas vehicles in Iran and there already existed factory production of natural gas vehicles, CNG cylinders, valves, etc., in Iran. I guess it is up to the CNG players in Iran to introduce and promote their CNG expertise, products and services to the world.
A: ANGVA is a non-profitable trade industry association. Our vision is 'To lead and promote Asia Pacific NGV Industry towards sustainable growth'. We assist in the development and promotion of natural gas as a clean and sustainable fuel for the transport sector in the Asia Pacific region which includes Iran. We are keen to assist any countries in our region of operation in matters related to NGV. I am happy to note that Iran has been active in ANGVA at the board member level. Currently we have a board member from Iran i.e. Mr. Amir Khaki from Tamkar Gas Equipment Company. Recently we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arian Jahan Energy Company (a subsidiary of Tamkar Gas Equipment Company) for the joint establishment of the Pardis-ANGVA Learning Centre in Tehran, Iran. This Pardis-ANGVA Learning Centre will undertake to provide training on NGV in Iran.
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