The EU is investing in alternative fuels for Spain

Alternative fuels used for road transport in Spain are to benefit from 3287 EU support. Under the TEN-T Programme the EU will co-finance a study to determine the required steps to integrate Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) refuelling technology in Spain. The €2 million provided by the EU will also be used to demonstrate the potential of LNG as a more environmentally friendly and cost effective transport fuel for heavy goods vehicles running on Spain’s sections of the TEN-T road network. The project was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Call. It will also research the possible large scale implementation of LNG refuelling stations across Spain and the EU by conducting a series of studies and pilots. Seven different LNG refuelling stations will be installed as part of the project to test different kinds of designs for this type of infrastructure. The LNG logistics chain as well as the potential business models for a regional and/or European roll-out of refuelling stations will also be analysed. Additionally, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) communication technologies will be integrated within the LNG refuelling stations and could incorporate technologies such as intelligent routing, station monitoring, pricing policy and payment methods. The project will be managed by the 7021 Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency and is set to be completed by the end of 2014.