Energy Ministry launches CBG buses

CHIANG MAI, Dec 19 (TNA) -- Thai energy minister on Friday presided over the launching ceremony of Compressed Bio methane Gas (CBG) bus at Chiang Mai University in the north of Thailand, which is expected to help eeduce the usage of fuel by 21,200 litres a year or around 517,926 baht annually. Energy Minister Gen Anantaporn Kanjanarat officially presided over the launching of the prototypes of CBG bus or a vehicle that uses fuel in the form of CBG. The CBG is produced from animal droppings, wastes water from food factories, and bio wastes. The bus was created by the University of Chiang Mai, which focused on using technology to produce efficient alternative energy and safe vehicle aimed to be used within the university grounds as it runs on clean energy. The minister said use of CBG as fuel is aimed to encourage more people to use public transportation, which in turn would help to sufficiently reduce air pollution and energy consumption. President of Chiang Mai University Associate Prof Niwes Nantachit MD said the two CBG buses in operation would be able to carry 325 passengers per day or around 84,500 persons per year. The first bus would run a return trip of a total of 10 kilometres, while the second bus would run a return trip of a distance of 17.5 kilometres to and from the university. The two routes would cover a combined disance of 168 kilometres daily. He said this would mean that around 84,500 students would use the buses every year, helping to lower fossil fuel consumption by about 21,200 litres annually, and saving around 517,926 baht yearly. The university president added the move would in turn help to lower the need of fossil fuel and lower carbon gas emission, which would help improve the green house effect. (TNA)