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Onboard Dynamics’ CEO, Rita Hansen, received a prestigious invitation to speak as part of a fireside chat held by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and hosted at Rice University in Houston, Texas.  

ARPA-E Director Evelyn Wang and the entire team of Program Directors, Tech-to-Market Advisors and Fellows provided insights into ARPA-E’s current and potential future energy technology development efforts. In addition to learning about the agency’s overall funding approach, the event helped attendees gain insight into specific technical areas of interest and received the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback–helping both themselves and ARPA-E evolve their strategic visions. The event was attended by members of the energy innovation community.

Rita shared how Onboard Dynamics has been around since 2013 having originally spun out of natural gas compression technology that originated at Oregon State University. At that time, they received funding from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) to address the critical lack of infrastructure in refueling natural gas fleet vehicles in the US. And, how they have products deployed today in the market that fulfill that need.

She went on to talk about the major pivot the company took just over two years ago when one of their major natural gas utility customers wanted to use their mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) compressor product for a pipeline evacuation project. The successful execution led to the development and launch of their current product line – the GoVAC® pipeline evacuation system.

The GoVAC® system can draw down a pipeline to near 0 psig. The gas recovered can be transferred into an adjoining pipeline or compressed to 3600 psig and then transferred into a tube trailer for transport and reinjection elsewhere or into a storage tank to be used as CNG fuel for vehicles. The GoVAC ® technology is that it uses a small portion of the natural gas in the pipeline as fuel so no external fuel is needed to power the system.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the GoVAC® technology is that it provides environmental reports that contain validated and third-party certified asset-grade data ensuring traceability, transparency, and compliance at scale.

This ability is a huge benefit to not only the pipeline operator, but to any associated auditing agency. Accurate and secure data reporting will become ever more important as companies seek to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.

She also received the opportunity to share advice to future entrepreneurs, bottlenecks in developing the technology and the current needs of the company.

About ARPA-E

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is a government agency tasked with promoting and funding the research and development of advanced energy technologies. The agency invests in high potential, high impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. Projects that ARPA-E invests in are identified to improve U.S. Economic prosperity, national, security, and environmental well-being. ARPA-E focuses on transformational energy projects that can be advanced with a small amount of funding over a short period of time.

Onboard Dynamics is the recipient of an $800K grant from Business Oregon to help in the research, development, engineering, building, testing, and successful launch of the GoVAC® MAX system. The grant from the Emerging Opportunity Fund is awarded to businesses based in Oregon that help bring significant local economic gain. The Onboard Dynamics team is honored to have been given this opportunity as it will accelerate growth as a company and in the development of the GoVAC® MAX pipeline evacuation system.

Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang, Oregon Innovation Council Chair Jenn Lynch, and Business Oregon staff visited the Onboard Dynamics headquarters in Bend, OR to congratulate them on this prestigious award. The team was pleased to host Business Oregon during their visit.  Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics, and Michael Colliander, one of the Field Service Technicians walked The Business Oregon team through company mission, future vision, and the inner workings of the GoVAC® FLEX and GoVAC® MAX systems.

A prototype of the GoVAC® MAX platform was displayed for the Business Oregon team to observe. This new product is equally as flexible as the GoVAC® FLEX platform, but it has higher flow rates for fast evacuation of large projects and can complete them in shorter timeframes. The GoVAC® MAX system is a big step in the right direction for Onboard Dynamics and preventing methane emissions during pipeline blowdowns.

The total project for developing and commercializing the latest product, the GoVAC® MAX system, (innovation, R&D etc.) was 3.1 million dollars. Business Oregon is contributing $800K from the Emerging Opportunity Fund.

The GoVAC® MAX system is currently still in development and is going to be ready for projects in fall of 2023 to a select group of customers.

About Business Oregon

Business Oregon is a government agency in Salem, OR. The agency is responsible for fostering economic growth and promoting business development. Their mission is to create and sustain an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation. Business Oregon offers a range of programs and services to support businesses of all sizes. It provides financial assistance, grants, and loans to facilitate expansion and investment in various industries across Oregon. The agency also offers expertise in workforce training, infrastructure development, and community development. By collaborating with private enterprises and local communities, Business Oregon plays a vital role in enhancing Oregon’s economy and ensuring a vibrant business ecosystem for the state’s residents.

The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) in collaboration with the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers (AWEC) will be holding the 20^th Annual Energy Conference in Sunriver, OR, from June 6^th to 8^th, 2023.

Onboard Dynamics, gold sponsors of the event, will be presenting the latest developments of the GoVAC® FLEX system.  The presentation will take place on June 7^th at 5:45 PM

Alan Hansen, the Director of Operations at Onboard Dynamics. He will be giving the presentation about how the core technology can draw down a pipeline to near 0 psig using the natural gas in the pipeline as its source of power. The recovered gas can then be transferred into an adjoining pipeline or compressed up to 3600 psig and transferred into a tube trailer for transport and reinjection elsewhere or into a storage tank to be used as CNG fuel for vehicles. Since the GoVAC® system is powered by a small portion of the natural gas being recovered, no external power is required making it easy to use in remote areas. Its compact size and hazardous area compliancy makes it flexible for transporting and positioning at job sites, which is perfect for residential and challenging locations.

Onboard Dynamics Exhibiting at the Annual Energy Conference

In addition to the presentation, Onboard Dynamics will have the GoVAC® FLEX system on display throughout the conference. Attendees will be able to stop by the Onboard Dynamics table located in the foyer of the Great Hall to ask questions and pick up materials describing the detailed specifications.

This tool is revolutionary for preventing methane releases during pipeline blowdowns. The GoVAC® FLEX system is fully automated and equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real-time data collection capabilities.

About the 2023 Annual Energy Conference

This year marks the 20^th annual energy conference this conference allows for companies in Idaho Washington, Oregon, and others in the PNW to come together and discuss ways to move forward in sustainable pipeline practices and methods to achieve net zero goals.

About NWGA

The Northwest Gas Association advocates for the role of the region’s gas infrastructure in safely delivering a clean dependable and affordable energy future. The company serves the people and businesses of the Pacific Northwest with the energy they need. The NWGA serves as the regional voice of the PNW gas industry. It speaks a voice that makes the case for sustainable pipelines and deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

About the AWEC

AWEC’s origins date back to 1981. AWEC is a non-profit organization that is made up of companies in the western US who work together. There are over 40 members and five associate members that develop and influence energy policies in the West through AWEC. The organization serves to ensure member businesses are up to date on critical energy issues affecting their operations and making sure they are represented through advocation before policymakers and regulatory agencies. The AWEC represents companies at all levels of government. AWEC centers on the fundamental belief that a healthy, growing business environment promotes a rich and vibrant economy.  

Onboard Dynamics revealed the new, high-capacity GoVAC® MAX pipeline evacuation system during the 2023 AGA Operations Conference & Biennial Exhibition & Spring Committee Meetings in Grapevine, Texas.

The GoVAC® MAX system is a self-contained natural gas capture and recovery solution that eliminates the need for flaring or venting during pipeline blowdowns. The GoVAC® MAX system is built on Onboard Dynamics’ patented compression technology, so it runs on the natural gas in the pipeline. This reduces the emission profile to a minimum and removes the need of additional equipment for natural gas recovery.

The specific innovation that was the focal point during the conference, and that will be found in all of our products, is the digitization and third-party validation of the environmental attributes associated with a natural gas pipeline evacuation project. The automated system is fully equipped with state-of-the-art telemetry and instrumentation including temperature and pressure sensors, electronic valves, and flow meters that measure how much natural gas is being captured and recovered. The control system communicates up to the cloud which enables remote system monitoring and near real-time data collection capabilities. All the GoVAC® line of products provide environmental reports that contain validated and third-party certified asset-grade data ensuring traceability, transparency, and compliance at scale.

This ability is a huge benefit to not only the pipeline operator, but to any associated auditing agency. Accurate and secure data reporting will become ever more important as companies seek to fulfill current and future regulations and environmental initiatives.

Rick Kay Presentation at the 2023 AGA Conference & Biennial Exhibition

In addition to the GoVAC® MAX system announcement, Rick Kay,COO of Onboard Dynamics, gave a presentation about technologies that are safe, efficient, and reliable for capturing and transferring methane that avoid venting and flaring during the 2023 AGA Conference & Biennial Exhibition.

Titled: ­“Practical Technologies for Methane Recovery During Purging and Emissions Reduction”, the presentation was given on May 3, 2023, from 3:20 PM-4:00 PM CST.

Rick’s presentation presented information about the key ingredients for a successful pipeline evacuation project and routine pigging operation to prevent methane releases during pipeline blowdowns. The presentation highlighted technology features and safety requirements that are most important in determining project success. The important topics presented were basic project procedures, equipment specifications, gas capture time, system set up time, and consideration of equipment physical size and how these factors all impact gas capture time and cost. 

The conference was very successful and the new GoVAC® MAX system was well-received as an important solution as pipeline operators show a growing interest in adapting new technology solutions and operating practices to reduce methane releases during pipeline operations and maintenance.