Onboard Dynamics

Unique, Patented Natural Gas Compression Technology for Driving Down Emissions

Jason Vosburgh

Onboard Dynamics at Fuel 2020

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Fuel 2020 Logo

Fuel 2020, hosted by VertueLab, is the Pacific Northwest’s premier cleantech summit. This year’s virtual event took place from September 9th to 25th and featured short daily sessions that attendees could participate in. The sessions ranged from fireside chats, hot-seats, panels, and networking circles.

September 9th, 2020 Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics, shared our story of what an equitable, sustainable future looks like from her perspective, and where Onboard Dynamics products and services fit into that future. 

“This invitation really validates the work we are doing to transition to a cleaner, global energy footprint,” said Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “I believe that a solid, reasonable transition plan is what is necessary for society to embrace and fully commit to in order for us to get from here to there.” 

Watch our video from this event to learn about our vision of how Onboard Dynamics is helping to provide a more sustainable future to combat climate change through our CNG and RNG solutions. 

About Fuel 2020

For 11 years VertueLab has brought together a community of future-focused leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors at an annual summit to fund, fuel, and catalyze solutions for climate change. 

Learn more about the event here >>https://vertuelab.org/fuel-2020/ 

Onboard Dynamics Announces Instant Refueling for CNG Fleets

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Bend, OR. August 12th, 2020 – Onboard Dynamics announces the launch of their new GoFill™ refueling system. It is an instant and nimble drying and dispensing unit for refueling compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. The new product eliminates infrastructure barriers for fleet operators who immediately need an easy CNG station setup to refuel their commercial trucks.

GoFill natural gas refueler by Onboard Dynamics

The first unit rolled out in Oregon, as part of the NW Natural’s free truck loan program. The GoFill will be providing natural gas for refueling CNG into a Hyliion low-emission Class 8 truck for long and heavy hauls. The program provides fleet operators a short-term, no-cost demo period to experience the vehicle. The on-site, easy station set-up makes fueling convenient during the demo period.

“We designed the GoFill as a companion to the GoFlo® compressor to create a CNG-in-a-day solution,” said Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “We’re excited to roll out our new product for NW Natural’s truck loan program and help contribute to the adoption of natural gas vehicles.”

The versatile design makes the GoFill a temporary or permanent installation. When paired with Onboard Dynamics’ natural gas compressor, the GoFlo, an instant fueling station can be set up that doesn’t require electricity to operate. This makes rapid deployment possible in locations where infrastructure is challenging.

“The GoFill is a crucial part of our truck loan program because it gives new natural gas fleet operators easy access to refueling while they test the trucks, and without fueling roadblocks to worry about,” said Chris Kroeker, NW Natural product manager of natural gas vehicles.

The new GoFill, when packaged with the GoFlo compressor, gives operators everything they need to begin converting their fleet to natural or renewable natural gas. It provides an easy-to-setup and take-down CNG fueling station that will create new opportunities for expanding CNG fleets or to quickly provide a fueling station for ad hoc projects.

The GoFlo compressor and the GoFill refueler

About Onboard Dynamics, Inc.

Founded in 2013, Onboard Dynamics is helping lead the clean fuel revolution with the introduction of its GoFlo® CNG80 natural gas compressor. This mobile platform enables fleet managers and others to lower their fuel costs and carbon emission profiles by simplifying the compression of natural gas. Whether it’s in the field, or at the fleet yard, the GoFlo® mobile compressor can accept any low-pressure natural gas or a renewable natural gas source and compress it for use as a cost-effective, clean fuel for vehicles or means of transport. For more, visit ObDI media coverage or connect on Twitter (@OnboardDynamics), Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Onboard Dynamics selected as a semi-finalist in ARPA-E’s $75m scaleup funding opportunity.

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Onboard Dynamics, Inc. initially spun out of a concept that originated at Oregon State University and was funded by Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) to address the critical lack of infrastructure to refuel natural gas vehicles. The company developed innovative natural gas compression technology allowing a low-pressure natural gas source to be compressed up to 3600 PSI within an engine platform that runs on natural gas to compress natural gas without the need for electricity. 

Their commercialized GoFlo® compressor provides critical, smaller, and more flexible compression solutions for use in the natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industries. Since it does not require electricity, this natural gas-powered system lowers installation and operating costs, facilitates easy mobility and redeployment, and maximizes operating resiliency. In addition, the novel, mobile compressor technology enables natural gas utilities to perform critical pipeline maintenance in their efforts to address methane leakage.

Onboard Dynamics SEMI-FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE ARPA-E $75M SCALEUP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
The GoFlo® Natural Gas Compressor

As a former successful ARPA-E awardee, Onboard Dynamics was encouraged to apply to the ARPA-E SCALEUP $75M funding opportunity (FOA) – a new program launched this year by ARPA-E intended to build on their primary R&D focus and to support the scaling of high-risk and potentially disruptive new technologies across the full spectrum of energy applications.

The company’s preliminary application was one of 32 selected (out of >200 submissions) to move to the Full Application phase.  There is a presentation that outlines more information about this FOA and the company’s proposed technology titled “SELF-CONTAINED METHANE TREATMENT & COMPRESSION SYSTEM” which will combine raw gas clean-up and conditioning with the core GoFlo compression technology.

Contact Rita Hansen, CEO, Onboard Dynamics to get access to the presentation that goes with the application.
Email: rita.hansen@onboarddynamics.com
Phone: 541-550-3632 x700

This step of the FOA process requires additional levels of technical, market, and financial model details as well as identifying and securing commercial and financial partner(s) who will actively support field demonstration of the technology and provide financial support.

There is a lot of work to accomplish between now and September 25th when the Full Application is due, but this award is a big opportunity for a small business like Onboard Dynamics because it only requires 20% cost share. In addition, the cost share does not start until the 2nd year of the 3-year program. 

On August 11th, Rita presented at Day 1 of the two-day Virtual SCALEUP Workshop to interested commercial and financial partners. Any potential commercial and/or financial partner can register here for funding details.

Watch this video of ARPA-E Technology-to-Market team leaders James Zahler and Mary Yamada talk about the upcoming SCALEUP Virtual Workshop Series, on August 11 & 12.

Onboard Dynamics Rice Alliance Energy Venture Day Presentation

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Onboard Dynamics got to share a 2 1/2 minute business presentation about our innovative natural gas compression technology, the GoFlo®, which allows a low-pressure natural gas source to be compressed within an engine platform that runs on natural gas to compress natural gas. The key innovation is that our compressor does not rely on electricity to compress natural gas. This approach provides critical, smaller, and more flexible compression solutions for use in the natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industries related to transportation and pipeline maintenance. In addition, we are expanding our product suite to include methane cleanup and conditioning capability with our current compression technology to capture stranded gas and smaller renewable natural gas generation opportunities.

Originally scheduled to be hosted at OTC, Rice Alliance Energy Venture Day held a virtual event on May 7th, 2020 to allow startups to connect with investors and energy companies. The event showcased about 40 promising energy technology companies. These companies have initial funding and are seeking their A, B, C, or later rounds with technology validation, field trial experience, and/or initial company revenue. The event offered a great opportunity for viewers to learn more about innovative technologies and provide companies with access to potential partners and investment opportunities.

CNG Technology Keeps Improving

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CNG as a transportation fuel continues to grow steadily

CNG as a transportation fuel continues to grow steadily with an increase of 7.6% over the last 5 years and 8% since 1997.  The number of CNG vehicles has grown 5.3% since 2012 to 175,000 in the US.  The supporting infrastructure has also shown steady growth with public stations up 8.4% over the same six years.  That figure does not include any private fleet fueling stations.

 U.S Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Consumption

Cost savings and emissions reductions are driving the increased use of CNG.  While the inherent volatility in oil prices will continue to make the exact advantage of fuel savings fluctuate, CNG fuel remains a very favorably priced alternative to conventional fuels.  Technology improvements continue to drive further emissions reductions, as well as operating efficiency and safety.  

Some fleet owners such as UPS look beyond just fuel costs and regard CNG as a component of their long term fleet management strategy to balance many different factors, including location, regional economics and emissions.

While various vehicle makes and models have come and gone, there are now more to choose from than ever in the medium to heavy duty categories.  DOE provides an easy-to-use interactive tool to look at options within 12 vehicle types from sedans to school buses and everything in between.  NGV America’s list focuses on heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers and modification companies.

CNG technology has come a long way since the 1930’s natural gas balloon vehicles of World War I era.  Recent technology improvements are more tailored to bringing CNG engine performance to the equivalent of conventional fuel engines, improve safety and achieve further reductions in emissions.

Reducing engine weight, simplifying systems, reducing the number of parts, advanced ignition and fuel injection systems, and downsized engines with higher boosting all contribute to better CNG vehicle performance.  In the medium and heavy duty classes, Cummins strives for zero emissions and FPT Industrial outline their technical improvements for more engine torque and power.

Exciting improvements are also occurring in NGV tank technology. CNG tanks made of composite materials are becoming less expensive, and, compared to traditional steel or aluminum tanks, are lighter in weight and require less frequent inspections and replacement.

Fueling technology improvements target safety and efficiency with Hexagon Composites improving connection safety and speed of fueling for heavy duty trucks.  Onboard Dynamics compression technology provides an alternative for small and medium fleet fueling locations.

These examples are not exhaustive but illustrate how CNG transportation technology is not just using a different fuel in a conventional fuel engine anymore.  Improvements in CNG transportation technology overall provide a competitive option with the added benefit of operating cost savings and emissions reductions.