Building a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refueling Station

truck at cng station
Submitted by ILShin on

Having an onsite CNG refueling station can be convenient for fleets with vehicles that usually return to the same location each night. Here are some things to keep in mind when building an onsite CNG refueling station.

 

Fast-Fill vs. Time-Fill

CNG stations utilize either the "fast-fill" or "time-fill" methods of fueling.

  • Time-fill refueling is usually done overnight and takes about five to eight hours. The truck does not need to be actively monitored during this time.
  • Fast-fill refueling requires more enhanced systems and energy requirements than time-fill, but the fueling process only takes a few minutes.
     

Benefits of an Onsite Station

Building your own CNG station can have several benefits.

  • Fuel production control. You will have CNG whenever you need it and at the capacity needed.
  • Cost. Refueling onsite often results in the lowest fuel cost per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) and may be less expensive than buying it from elsewhere. It can also save on labor costs in the time saved to make refueling trips to offsite stations.
  • Flexibility. You can tailor your station to specific needs. For example, you can install enough time-fill posts to refuel every NGV in your fleet or add fast-fill dispensers.
  • Additional Revenue. If you choose to install public-access dispensers, not only will you provide the public with an additional location to refuel NGVs, but depending on how you price the CNG, it may also provide incremental revenue.
     

How to Establish CNG Service

Contacting SoCalGas as early as possible in your project will help keep your project on schedule. This document goes over the various processes and requirements necessary to establish natural gas service for a CNG refueling station. A SoCalGas Account Executive will be assigned to assist you throughout the process.        

Advanced planning is required for SoCalGas to design and install the facilities necessary to deliver natural gas to the station, and we will need information on natural gas flow rate, pressure, and other items.

Depending on the engineering and equipment involved, the entire process may take several months.

We have compiled a CNG Vendor Directory, which you can reference as you begin your search for vendors that will assist with your project. Non-utility service providers may offer services that are the same or similar to the SoCalGas Compression Services Tariff, and customers are encouraged to explore these service options.
 

1 Provided for informational purposes only. There are numerous qualified non-utility providers of products and services needed for the construction and operation of natural gas compression facilities, and SoCalGas does not recommend or endorse the products or services of any particular party listed herein or represent that the particular products or services are fit for any particular purpose or use. By publishing this list, SoCalGas is not acting in an advisory capacity, and does not assume any responsibility for use of the list by customers. Although commercially reasonable efforts are used in posting this list, no representation is made request to that it is complete or free from error. Related information is posted at socalgas.com. Contact cleantransportation@socalgas.com to request to be added to the list. Vendors are listed alphabetically, and the order of listing implies no preference.