22,- Friday, March 27, 1987 - North Shore News Business TECHNOLOGY FROM WEST VAN FIRM Soon natural gas cars can fill up at home INEXPENSIVE NATU- RAL gas on tap at home for natural gas driven vehicles is just around the corner. Pending the successful testing of a small gas compressor designed by a West Vancouver company to connect into gas lines now available in private homes, the technology, according to Dynamax Energy Corporation partner Robin Abercrombie, will be in the hands of the consumer soon. “We've had extensive discus- sions with the B.C. Hydro Natural Gas for Vehicles group and hope to be testing the compressor in the next few weeks,"’ said Abercrom- bie. business briefcase by Michael Becker Dt] He predicts worldwide demand for a small, simple to operate compressor will be brisk. “We'll be helping Dynamax with the last stages of design testing and a test program con- sisting of six months of institu- tional trials and then field testing,’’ said B.C. Hydro design engineer Gordon Bryce. Abercrombie feels B.C. Hydro would be a natural player in the distribution of the product. ‘‘They have the interest, service and in- frastructure to do the job.”’ But Bryce said the corporation is still undecided about jumping into the distribution end of the project. “Traditionally B.C. Hydro hasn’t been involved in distributing such products.” Development of the compressor began in earnest in North Van- couver last August. Invented by local engineer Bruno Fredericksen, the com- pressor is designed to pump three cubic feet of natural gas per minute and is expected to sell for approximately $1,000. Dynamax invested $80,000 to gct a prototype compressor off the ground. Capilano MP Mary Collins recently announced the federal government is kicking in $52,547, under the auspices of the Industrial and Regional Development Pro- gram. “If the price is right, this device will open up the natural gas vehicle market. What’s happening now is people aren’t building gas stations because there aren’t enough natu- ral gas vehicles on the road,”’ said Bryce. Abercrombie said there are cur- rently 24 service stations in the province offering natural gas for vehicles. ‘‘Regular gas runs at about 45 cents a litre, propane at 25 to 30 cents and natural gas at a station at 25 cents per litre. Home system gas would cost !2 or 13 cents,’’ he said. ake THE HILLS are clive with the sound of sluice boxes. The British Columbia and Yukon Chamber of Mines 12th annual Placer Mining School for beginners runs March 31 to April 19, © Front-wheel drive ; ° 2.5 litre electronic fuel-injected 4-cylinder engine } * 4-speed manual! transmission Phone the chantber to repister at 681-5328 or register at the office, 840 West Hastings in Vancouver. placer history, minerals, geology, Prospecting, operating methods, laws and regulations. The night school program, held at the Vancouver Vocational In- stitute, provides an introduction to © Power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes e Electronic fuel injection 6 YEAR / 100,000 KILOMETER POWER TRAIN PROTECTION * Quadia-Link® front suspension e All-weather steel-belted radial tires RAINCHECK If stock is sold out we will honour these prices on factory orders, Approx. 8 weeks for delivery. \S RENAULT |i jo MOUNTVIEW P FeJeep WE LEASE WE SELL