Central Gas System & Lakefront Community 'Hill Country Harbor' Take Shape Together

As the beautiful custom homes, lakeside condominiums and gorgeous facilities at Hill County Harbor rise from the Texas Hill Country around Possum Kingdom Lake, so does the fully turn-key, underground piped Central Gas System being implemented by HBH Gas Systems of Austin, Texas. Without natural gas, the developers had two options: either install unsightly and inefficient individual tanks at each home and facility, or turn to HBH Gas Systems to implement a turn-key Central Gas System that will provide individually metered gas through underground pipes to each building. The decision was easy to make.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) April 14, 2009 -- As the beautiful custom homes, lakeside condominiums and gorgeous facilities at Hill County Harbor rise from the Texas Hill Country around Possum Kingdom Lake, so does the fully turn-key, underground piped Central Gas System being implemented by HBH Gas Systems of Austin, Texas.
The Central Gas System at Hill Country Harbor will fuel tankless water heaters, gas stoves, outdoor kitchens and grills, fireplaces, fire pits, lanterns and a host of other amenities and appliances.
The Central Gas System at Hill Country Harbor will fuel tankless water heaters, gas stoves, outdoor kitchens and grills, fireplaces, fire pits, lanterns and a host of other amenities and appliances.

Located near Fort Worth, Texas, this community sits in a rustic lakeside setting that is too far from the natural gas grid for extensions to be viable. Still, the developers knew that their discerning homeowners would demand gas to fuel their stoves, outdoor kitchens, tankless water heaters, and many more amenities. Moreover, the developers desired a number of other gas features, such as poolside torches and gas lamps throughout the community. Building this community all-electric - the least desirable and most environmentally unfriendly method - simply wasn't an option.

Without natural gas, the developers had two options: either install unsightly and inefficient individual tanks at each home and facility, or turn to HBH Gas Systems to implement a turn-key Central Gas System that will provide individually metered gas through underground pipes to each building. The decision was easy to make.

Central Gas Systems, sometimes referred to as Central Propane Distribution Systems or Community LP Gas Systems, provide propane from a centralized tank in a manner identical to a natural gas system. HBH Gas Systems is a leader in the design and implementation of Central Gas systems. HBH Gas Systems manages the system design and installation, as well as the gas delivery, service and individual customer billing.

With a Central Gas System from HBH Gas Systems, the developer and builder will benefit from the many marketing advantages afforded by their ability to offer underground metered gas service. The homeowners will enjoy considerable cost savings: residents of the Harbor could likely save up to 50% on their utility bills by using propane from this Central Gas System in lieu of electricity. All of these benefits of central gas systems compliment the fact that the gas appliances and amenities will bring increased levels of comfort and convenience to the residents of Hill Country Harbor.

A Historical Marker at Possum Kingdom Lake reads, "(Development of the area) quickly picked up after World War II with the establishment of major fishing lodges, camping areas and other recreational facilities. The growth and success of the area is a tribute to the spirit of the surrounding communities…" It is with this same spirit and dedication that the developers of Hill Country Harbor and HBH Gas Systems are bringing this beautiful community to Texas.

HBH Gas Systems has developed, designed, and installed central gas distribution systems in residential communities and commercial developments throughout the US and abroad. HBH is committed to facilitating sustainable development worldwide by bringing gas to regions where it was previously unavailable. For more information about HBH Gas Systems, visit environmental benefits of Central Gas Systems, visit www.hbhsystems.com/environmental.html.

HBH Gas Systems to Install Community Propane Gas System at The Villas at Lakecliff Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems and the developers of The Villas at Lakecliff have partnered to bring eco-friendly, affordable gas fuel to the homebuyers in this new upscale community just west of Austin, Texas. Because the community is located in an area that lacks access to natural gas, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems to provide turn-key gas utilities with a Central Community Gas System. This Central Community Gas System will provide individually metered gas utilities to the 71 single-family detached residential units in The Villas at Lakecliff. The system will be serviced, metered, and billed just like natural gas; the gas is piped underground from a centralized facility.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) December 1, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems and the developers of The Villas at Lakecliff have partnered to bring eco-friendly, affordable gas fuel to the homebuyers in this new upscale community just west of Austin, Texas. Because the community is located in an area that lacks access to natural gas, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems to provide turn-key gas utilities with a Central Community Gas System. This Central Community Gas System will provide individually metered gas utilities to the 71 single-family detached residential units in The Villas at Lakecliff. The system will be serviced, metered, and billed just like natural gas; the gas is piped underground from a centralized facility.

The developer of The Villas at Lakecliff, Horizontal Strategies, realized the benefits of offering dual fuels to homeowners but knew their development's location did not have feasible access to the natural gas grid. The developer did not want to build all-electric, because they know that homeowners prefer gas fuel - especially in a luxury lakeside community.

Faced with the prospect of installing unsightly and inefficient individual propane tanks at each home, Horizontal Strategies engaged HBH Gas Systems to implement a Community Propane System - the most effective solution to the challenge of delivery gas utilities to off grid communities. HBH Gas Systems has unsurpassed expertise in the implementation of Community Propane Systems designed to serve off-grid developments.

Especially because of the current economic downturn, more and more developers are finding that a Community Propane Gas System can provide the marketing boost their communities need to increase sales. Community Propane Gas Systems reduce new developments' pull on the electric grid. They allow developers to steer their off-grid developments away from carbon-heavy electricity toward more sustainable development fueled by gas. Homeowners at The Villas at Lakecliff will have the peace-of-mind associated with using an alternative green fuel as classified by the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act. For all of these reasons, homebuyers find homes in communities with clean, green fuel from Central Gas Systems vastly more appealing than homes in all-electric communities.

The single-family detached condominium units in The Villas at Lakecliff will all use propane gas appliances. These range from ultra-efficient tankless water heaters and central heating/furnaces to kitchen stoves, gas lanterns, and even optional gas clothes dryers. The community's Central Gas System will carry clean-burning gas from the centralized tank through underground pipes to fuel these appliances.

HBH Gas Systems to Install Central Community Propane Gas System for The Canyons at Lake Travis Development Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems has partnered with the developer of The Canyons at Lake Travis to bring underground-piped, individually metered gas to the homes in this new community just outside of Austin, Texas. The Canyons at Lake Travis is located in an area that does not have access to the natural gas infrastructure. Faced with the high costs and difficult logistics of extending the natural gas mains, as well as the undesirable prospect of an all-electric community, many developers rely on HBH Gas Systems to implement central community propane gas systems.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems and the developer of The Canyons at Lake Travis have partnered to bring underground-piped, individually metered gas to the homes in this new community just west of Austin, Texas. The Canyons at Lake Travis is located in an area that does not have access to the natural gas infrastructure, but by implementing a central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems, the developer and builder will be able to provide homeowners with economical, clean-burning gas.

When considering how to deliver energy to the homes in The Canyons at Lake Travis, the developer had several options. The natural gas main could be extended to the development, but this process would be extremely expensive and logistically challenging. Once this was ruled out, only three options remained: build the homes all electric, install individual propane tanks for each home, or partner with HBH Gas Systems to implement a central community propane gas system.

The homes could easily be built all-electric, but the developer and builder wanted the marketing advantages of offering both gas and electricity, as homebuyers in this high-end community are sure to prefer high-quality, efficient gas appliances. The developers and builders who work with HBH Gas Systems recognize that a dual-fuels home is a more marketable, saleable product.

The central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems will provide each home in The Canyons at Lake Travis development with individually metered gas, piped underground from a centralized underground tank. There will be no unsightly tanks at each home, the homeowners will pay only for the gas they use, and homeowners could save substantially on utility bills compared to fueling their homes solely with electricity.

The developer and builder at The Canyons at Lake Travis are now able to market their community as eco-friendly, because fueling homes with propane from a central community propane gas system largely reduces the development's pull on the carbon-heavy electric grid. Using gas only for water and space heating instead of electricity effectively reduces a home's carbon emissions by 8.5 tons per year, which is more than the emissions of an average vehicle.

Adding gas cooktops, for instance, reduces carbon emissions even more. Building homes with gas-fired outdoor kitchens and gas fireplaces reduces particulate emissions by replacing charcoal grills and wood-burning fireplaces, all while still providing enhanced lifestyles. Moreover, a central community propane gas system allows for the implementation of refueling stations for eco-friendly propane-powered fleet vehicles, private vehicles, golf carts, and lawn equipment. A central community propane gas system is a complete, turnkey energy solution that supports the goals of Sustainable Development and the principles of green building and green development.

By partnering with HBH Gas Systems to implement a central community propane gas system, the developer and builder of The Canyons at Lake Travis are steering this off-grid development away from the inefficient, carbon-heavy electric grid toward more Sustainable Development fueled by gas. The central community gas system at The Canyons at Lake Travis further illustrates the scalability and positive economic, environmental and social impacts that are hallmarks of an HBH Gas System.

Phase 1 of The Canyons at Lake Travis will consist of 57 homes, many with stunning views of Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country beyond. The homes will range from 2,800 to 4,000 square feet, built on lots that are 1 acre or larger. Homes will be priced from the $500's. In line with the sustainable development and green building practices that central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems promote, the homes of The Canyons at Lake Travis will feature 14 SEER High efficiency AC and gas furnaces, Low E2 double paned windows, energy saving gas water heaters, and direct vent gas fireplaces and gas cooktops.

HBH Gas Systems Announces Central Propane Gas System Installation At Rocky Creek Development Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems has announced the planned installation of a Central Propane Gas Distribution System to fuel the new Rocky Creek Ranch community just west of Austin, Texas. The development is located in an area that lacks reasonable access to natural gas infrastructure. Extending the natural gas infrastructure to the site was not feasible due to financial and logistical constraints. Knowing that their homeowners would greatly prefer dual-fuels over all-electric homes, the developers of Rocky Creek Ranch turned to HBH Gas Systems to implement a Central Gas System.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) September 9, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems has announced the planned installation of a Central Propane Gas Distribution System to fuel the new Rocky Creek Ranch community just west of Austin, Texas. The development is located in an area that lacks reasonable access to natural gas infrastructure. Extending the natural gas infrastructure to the site was not feasible due to financial and logistical constraints. Knowing that their homeowners would greatly prefer dual-fuels over all-electric homes, the developers of Rocky Creek Ranch turned to HBH Gas Systems to implement a Central Gas System.

The Central Gas System that HBH Gas Systems will bring to Rocky Creek Ranch will provide each home in the community with individually metered gas from a single, centralized propane tank. A Central Gas System provides gas that is piped underground to the homes and facilities from a centralized tank. It is metered and billed in a manner identical to a natural gas system.
Phase 1 of Rocky Creek Ranch consists of 154 lots. At final buildout, the development will include 396 lots spanning 468 acres. The community's gas homes are expected to average over 3,500 square feet and most are in the $400,000 range. High-efficiency gas appliances that will be installed in the homes at Rocky Creek Ranch include on-demand tankless water heaters, gas furnaces, kitchen appliances, outdoor gas stubs for barbecue grills or full outdoor kitchens, among many more gas-fueled options that are made possible by the Central Gas System. The system at Rocky Creek further illustrates the scalability and diversity of applications that are hallmarks of an HBH Gas System.

In general, homeowners greatly prefer homes with gas fuel because gas appliances are more efficient and more comfortable. Builders prefer building in communities with underground piped, metered gas because, in addition to homeowner preference, they are able to offer more appliance upgrades and additional amenities like pool heaters, outdoor kitchens and fire pits, and impactful accents like gas lamps. Developers who implement Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems can steer their off-grid developments away from the inefficient, carbon-heavy electric grid toward more sustainable development fueled by gas. Both builders and developers enjoy the tremendous marketing advantages of offering gas fuel where it is otherwise not available.

HBH Gas Systems specializes in the marketing, design, and implementation of fully-engineered Central Gas Distribution Systems, or Central Propane Systems, nationwide. To obtain more information about this project or HBH Gas Systems visit http://www.hbhsystems.com/ or contact Harris Baker at 512-306-0073 or info@hbhsystems.com.

####

See the whole press release online: HBH Gas Systems Announces Central Propane Gas System Installation At Rocky Creek Development Near Austin, Texas

See the press release on the HBH Gas Systems News & Updates page

FuelCell Energy Completes Successful Demonstration of ‘On-the-Fly’ Dual Fuel Operation of Fuel Cell with Standard Propane

Here's a very interesting application of propane:

DANBURY, Conn. FuelCell Energy, Inc., a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean electric power generation plants for commercial, industrial and government customers, today announced the successful demonstration of its stationary power plants’ ability to switch rapidly between fuels, validating the systems’ capacity to guard against fuel supply interruptions from natural disasters or security issues at mission-critical facilities.

Evaluated in conjunction with Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), operators of the Department of Defense (DoD) Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTec) in Johnstown, Pa., the power plant continued to generate base load electricity on a secondary fuel supply (propane) when the loss of its primary fuel source (natural gas) was triggered during testing. This rapid fuel switch was successfully demonstrated more than 40 times during operations exceeding 3000 hours.

The R&D project is being sponsored by the federal government to demonstrate the “dual fuel” capability of Direct FuelCell power plants. CTC is the primary contractor to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, involving its Engineer Research and Development Center's Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL). FuelCell Energy and CTC operated a sub-megawatt DFC power plant on HD-5 propane fuel at full load achieving an electrical efficiency of 46 percent. The Johnstown plant continues to operate, having accumulated a total of 3060 hours on propane and generated 425 Megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity as of June 28, 2006. The plant also operated 550 hours on natural gas - generating an additional 45 MWh.“

Successful dual fuel testing demonstrates DFC power plants can be a vital part of our nation's homeland security efforts by providing ultra-clean, firm base load power at mission-critical facilities,” said Christopher R. Bentley, Executive Vice President of Government Research and Development Operations. “On-the-fly switching among fuel sources enhances the flexibility and value of our DFC products.”

Propane, a readily available fuel that can easily be stored onsite, is used as a primary fuel in isolated or sensitive locations such as islands, remote sites, national parks, data centers, military bases, hotels, and hospitals, and, therefore, is an ideal backup fuel for DFC power plants. The DoD can enhance the energy reliability at its facilities around the world by using HD-5 propane in conjunction with FuelCell Energy's DFC power plants.

Rapid fuel switching from natural gas to propane and back again was achieved on more than 40 fuel swaps at various load levels while the plant was generating power. The fuel swap to backup propane occurs instantaneously when the system detects natural gas pressure dropping below a predetermined trigger point.

Improved in-line fuel utilization measurement technology was also successfully tested, improving fuel flow control. This is important for propane operation since a rapid change in fuel composition occurs when filling the propane fuel tank. This technology played a key role in achieving the rapid validation of the instantaneous fuel switching.

With increasing focus on establishing effective homeland security measures, the rapid fuel switching capability of FuelCell Energy's DFC products can provide enhanced on-site power generation options for facilities where reliable 24/7 power is essential, said Franklin H. Holcomb, CERL's Fuel Cell Team Project Leader. “Multiple fuel operation is part of the rapid evolution of fuel cells as a replacement for conventional electric power where high efficiency, increased reliability, reduced harmful emissions and lower noise levels are key requirements for installation.”

Testing validated the DFC power plant is capable of continuous long-term high-load high-efficiency operation on propane, as well as instantaneous fuel switching from natural gas to propane in the event of loss of natural gas supply without loss of power. The unit can also switch back to natural gas from propane, instantaneously and on-load, once natural gas service is restored.

The project is supported by funding through DoD, the U.S. Army and ERDC-CERL.

Source: Fuel Cell Today: link

Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems