Onboard Dynamics

Advancing Cleaner Energy For Our Environment

Onboard Dynamics Blog

Innovative, self-contained system with sophisticated emissions reporting helps pipeline operators safely reduce methane emissions while attaining environmental goals

by

“Innovative, self-contained system with sophisticated emissions reporting helps pipeline operators...” TheLINK Q4, 22 January, 2022, p. 28.

Pipeline operators are increasingly taking a “big picture” view of their sustainability efforts. These companies recognize that it is important to minimize their environmental footprint during natural gas pipeline operations. The need for nimble, self-contained pipeline evacuation solutions and sophisticated methane emissions reporting is motivated by regulation and corporate responsibility.

The GoVAC™ FLEX System (“GoVAC”) by Onboard Dynamics meets the demand for minimizing methane releases into the atmosphere as the pressure of regulation and environmental stewardship grows.  It is a self-contained system fueled by natural gas designed to transfer natural gas to either an adjacent pipeline or to a tube trailer.

The amount of natural gas captured and recovered resulting in methane emission reductions can vary per project, but operators can get an idea of the GoVAC’s capabilities as seen in the following example:

GoVAC FLEX Site layout example
Example of job site layout

Project Summary:

Over a mile and a half of 12” pipe evacuated. The system ran for 20 hours and never needed refueling.

Example Total Net Methane Captured

Customer Benefits:

Example of job site in an urban setting

No external power needed – The GoVAC uses a small portion of the natural gas from the pipeline for power, thus eliminating additional outside fuel sources such as diesel or electricity.

Emissions reporting – Each system comes with a sophisticated telemetry backend that automatically captures data from the gauges and sensors. It is fully automated through a PLC controller and communicates to a user interface that manages all aspects of the system. All data is stored in the cloud and is designed to provide environmental and operational reports.

Portability/mobility – The GoVAC is easy to maneuver on job sites. It is small enough to be pulled by a half-ton truck that is common in many fleets.

Flexible applications – The system captures the natural gas from a pipeline and can either transfer it into an adjoining pipeline or compress the gas up to 3,600 psig to put into a tube trailer or storage tank. The system can also be used for natural gas vehicle refueling.

Remote monitoring –The system health is always being monitored which minimizes downtime by detecting issues and providing insight for preventative maintenance.

Safety – Eliminates emissions and hazards of venting and flaring of natural gas pipelines.

Regulatory compliance – NFPA, EPA, SCAQMD.

Environmental Impact Benefits:

The GoVAC Flex is a revolutionary tool for minimizing methane releases during pipeline blowdowns.

Significantly lower carbon footprint
The GoVAC runs on a small portion of the natural gas it evacuates from the pipeline. It doesn’t rely on an outside fuel source, such as diesel or electricity. This gives the system a much cleaner total carbon footprint than any other solution available on the market.

Less interruption in populated areas
Noise levels are less than < 85 dBA at 10 feet, which is equivalent to normal street traffic.

“I like that the unit [“GoVAC FLEX”] is powered by the gas coming out of the pipeline, so we don’t have to bring other equipment out to the job site.”

Onboard dynamics customer

For more information about the GoVAC FLEX Pipeline Evacuation System, please visit https://onboarddynamics.com, or contact us at: 541-550-3632

Natural gas: villain or savior?

by

Those of us working in the natural gas ecosystem have recently seen numerous articles calling for the elimination of natural gas production, transport, and use in our country because it is not “clean enough”. This is partly due to methane releases from leaks and the maintenance projects that repair such leaks. At the same time, there is a growing awareness by many others that to achieve our national goal of being “carbon neutral” by 2050, we must have a robust, leak-free gas distribution system to:

  • Compliment and supplement renewable energy sources
  • Eliminate coal use
  • Exploit new forms of zero-carbon and carbon-negative gases, such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas

An excellent report documenting this essential role of our gas distribution system was published in late April, 2021 by the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, entitled Investing in the US Natural Gas Pipeline System to Support Net-Zero Targets. The essential role of our natural gas distribution system is summarized by a brief statement from its executive summary:

Studies by energy agencies, universities, and the industry that model future US natural gas consumption consistently show continued use of natural gas for at least the next 30 years, even in scenarios where the country achieves net-zero targets by midcentury. There is no quick replacement for gas in the US energy mix. And for many of the needs natural gas currently meets, the eventual replacement may be zero-carbon gaseous fuels (e.g., hydrogen, biogas). These fuels may play a significant role in supporting reliability and making the energy transition more affordable—but they, too, will require a pipeline network for efficient delivery to markets and end-users.

As we say in our internal discussions, if the plumbing in your house has leaks, you do not stop using water. You fix the leaks. Onboard Dynamics has introduced the GoVAC™ Flex pipeline evacuation system as a novel tool to aid in fixing such natural gas pipeline leaks. New technologies such as ours, combined with improved remote sensing tools, will ensure that natural gas, and the pipelines that deliver it, will be available to help meet our challenging national climate goals.

Onboard Dynamics to Exhibit the GoVAC™ Flex at The 2021 Natural Gas Conference and Expo

by

Booth #400

Charlotte, North Carolina | Oct 17 – 20, 2021

The GoVAC™ Flex will be on full display during the conference to give viewers a hands-on experience of the product. Seeing the unit in real life allows booth visitors to get a feel for the size of the system and how compact it is. Staff will also be available to answer questions about how the unit works and why it is a key part of reducing GHG emissions during natural gas pipeline maintenance. 

About the GoVAC™ Flex

The GoVAC™ Flex is a revolutionary tool for minimizing methane releases during pipeline blowdowns. It is powered by a small portion of the gas being recovered, so no external power is required. Its compact size facilitates transport and positioning at job sites. 

Remote monitoring ensures reliable operation and responsive service. State-of-the-art telemetry provides accurate and detailed environmental reporting. 

Learn more about the GoVAC™ Flex >>

Onboard Dynamics will be participating in the SGA Learning Lab

Titled “Utilizing the GoVAC Flex System to minimize GHG during routine pipeline operations and maintenance”. It will be held in room W207 AB from 9:15 to 11:30 am on October 18th. 

Geared towards natural gas pipeline operators, this learning lab will demonstrate the functionality of the GoVAC and illustrate its value proposition for reducing GHG emissions and achieving ESG goals. Utilizing presentations, videos, research, insight into environmental regulation, and real environmental and performance data from case studies of field demonstration projects at several natural gas utilities, viewers will gain a better understanding as to why the GoVAC Flex System is the pipeline evacuation system that sets itself apart in performance and emissions reductions. 

In this lab, visitors will: 

  • Get an understanding of the timeliness of the GoVAC in enabling pipeline operators to minimize venting and flaring before impending regulation. 
  • See how the environmental reporting capabilities of the GoVAC enable natural gas operators to document their progress towards the ESG goal. 
  • Learn the advantages of a fully integrated pipeline evacuation system that requires no external power source in its operation.

The Natural Gas Conference & Expo is an in-person event that will feature tracks with over 150 informative sessions.

Onboard Dynamics Signs Investment Agreement with BP Energy Partners

by

Investment provides growth capital to accelerate market-leading technology for methane reductions from pipelines while lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

BEND, Ore., Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Onboard Dynamics, Inc. (“Onboard Dynamics” or the “Company”), a leading climate-tech provider of unique, patented, mobile natural gas pipeline evacuation and vehicle refueling compression technology and equipment, today announced the signing of an investment agreement between Onboard Dynamics and BP Energy Partners, LLC (“BPEP”). The equity investment from BPEP provides Onboard Dynamics capital to scale its products and service offerings.

Across its series of patented products, Onboard Dynamics manufactures, sells, leases, and provides turnkey service to utilities, local distribution companies (LDCs) and natural gas pipeline operators for blowdown, evacuation, and routine maintenance. Onboard Dynamics’ products allow customers to conduct best practices during natural gas pipeline operations, recovery of stranded natural gas from various sources, and natural gas vehicle fleet refueling.

Increased demand for reliable and cost-effective solutions to combat methane leaks from pipelines led to the launch of Onboard Dynamics latest product, the GoVAC™ Flex.

The GoVAC™ Flex is a pipeline evacuation system that provides natural gas pipeline operators a tool to minimize and mitigate methane and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during pipeline maintenance, repair, and replacement. Due to its self-contained design, the GoVAC Flex has lower full-cycle emissions than competing evacuation equipment since it is fueled by pipeline natural gas recovered during the evacuation process, eliminating the need for external fuel (e.g., diesel) or electrical power. The GoVAC™ Flex can draw pipeline pressures down to near zero pounds per square inch (psig) and can evacuate natural gas into an adjoining pipeline or compress it into a tube trailer or storage tank for injection or use elsewhere. The system is mobile, flexible in siting, and in addition to pipeline gas, can also utilize, or transport stranded natural gas, responsibly sourced gas (RSG), biomethane or renewable (RNG) for best use.

“This new exciting partnership with BPEP and the synergies with its portfolio companies will allow us to meet the demand of this rapidly growing market”, says Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics, “our new product will help customers receive economic value while achieving their environmental and sustainability goals through reduced diesel consumption and the elimination of venting and flaring practices.”

“We are pleased to partner with Rita and the Onboard Dynamics’ team to aid the natural gas industry in decarbonization and demethanization” states Cole Robertson, Managing Director at BPEP. “The technology allows pipeline operators to reduce methane and GHG emissions during routine operations.”

The transaction is expected to close in October 2021.

About Onboard Dynamics, Inc.: Founded in 2013, Onboard Dynamics is leading the climate-tech transition with its unique, patented, mobile, and modular technology platform to responsibly use natural gas. The innovative products based on this platform enable customers to achieve economic value and environmental benefits by simplifying the capture, compression, and transfer of natural gas. Whether deployed at a remote pipeline job site, in an oil or gas production field, at a dairy renewable methane recovery project, or at a fleet yard hosting clean natural gas vehicles, its products can compress natural gas or renewable natural gas from any source for convenient transfer via pipeline or high-pressure tanks for environmentally effective use. For more information, visit Onboard Dynamics’ media coverage or connect on Twitter (@OnboardDynamics), Facebook, and LinkedIn. More information can be found at https://onboarddynamics.com/.

About BP Energy Partners, LLC:
BP Energy Partners, LLC (BPEP), is a Dallas, Texas-based growth-oriented private equity firm. Since its inception, BPEP has focused on a lower carbon future by establishing and growing sustainable and responsible companies in the natural gas value chain including infrastructure, power, logistics, transportation, environmental services, renewable natural gas, midstream, and distribution. BPEP will also invest in low-carbon energy solutions and renewables. BPEP collaborates with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, project developers, and experienced management teams to provide patient capital, financial and operating expertise, and deep industry relationships. BPEP currently manages over $550 million in committed capital and is actively investing in new opportunities. More information can be found at https://www.bpenergypartners.com/.

SOURCE BP Energy Partners

Onboard Dynamics Presentation at Enercom’s Oil and Gas Conference

by

Rita Hansen, CEO, and Co-founder of Onboard Dynamics gives a presentation about the unique, mobile, modular products that Onboard Dynamics offers. Whether they are deployed at a remote pipeline job site, in the field, or at a fleet yard, the product solutions can accept any low-pressure natural gas or a renewable natural gas source and then compress or move this natural gas for responsible use. And, there is no need for any external power source to operate.

goVAC evacuating a pipeline

The presentation focuses on the recently launched pipeline evacuation unit, the GoVAC™ Flex, and the continued progress the company has made driving down emissions in the cleantech industry.

 

There are challenges facing the natural gas industry and Onboard Dynamics provides solutions that simplify the capture, compression, and movement of natural gas. This enables customers to receive economic value while achieving environmental goals.

This video covers the results of natural gas vessel-to-vessel transfer, results of pipe-to-pipe transfer abilities, and pipe-to-tube trailer transfer abilities of the GoVAC Flex. 

Watch the full presentation here to learn more:  

Download the presentation: 

About the Enercom Oil and Gas Conference

EnerCom’s The Oil & Gas Conference® offers investment professionals the opportunity to listen to the world’s key senior management teams present their growth plans and provides industry professionals a venue to learn about important energy topics affecting the global oil and gas industry. The 2018 edition of EnerCom’s The Oil & Gas Conference® hosted 100+ presenting companies with operations spanning more than 40 countries and six continents. Enterprise Values of the 2019 presenters will range from approximately $9 million to $150 billion

More than 2,000 institutional and hedge fund investors, energy research analysts, retail brokers, trust officers, high net worth investors, investment bankers, and energy industry professionals gather in Denver each year for the unique opportunity to meet and discuss future industry plans, growth opportunities, and economic trends that are impacting the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. EnerCom works with presenting company management teams arranging one-on-one meetings with the attending institutional investors and research analysts during the Conference.

Onboard Dynamics Launches the GoVAC™ Flex to Reduce Fugitive Methane Releases

by

BEND, OR June 15, 2021 – Onboard Dynamics has responded to the critical need to reduce methane releases into the atmosphere with their latest product launch of the GoVAC™ Flex. This simple, mobile, fully integrated solution will provide operators of natural gas pipelines a tool to safely minimize their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during routine pipeline maintenance.

As part of the product validation process with actual pipeline operators, successful pipeline evacuation projects have been held at utility companies in Oregon, California, and Nevada. The GoVAC Flex will be a key contributor to the mission of these companies in finding innovative clean natural gas solutions that are crucial to reducing GHG emissions while providing an affordable and sustainable energy future.

The GoVAC Flex is self-contained and fueled solely by a small amount of the natural gas that is being recovered during the evacuation process. It can draw a pipeline down to near zero psig and transfer the gas into an adjoining line at any pressure or compress the gas up to 3600 psi into a tube trailer for transport to another pipeline or end use location.

“We developed the GoVAC Flex to help our customers reach their critical goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rita Hansen, CEO of Onboard Dynamics. “We’re excited to launch this new product and demonstrate our leadership in the clean energy technology marketplace.”

The GoVAC Flex is small enough to be pulled by a half-ton pickup making it easy to transport to and maneuver around a job site. Despite its small size, it can evacuate a pipeline in less time than other approaches that require multiple pieces of equipment. Because it operates on clean natural gas, a pipeline evacuation operation utilizing the GoVAC Flex emits less GHG emissions than products that use a diesel-powered air compressor.

Founded in 2013, Onboard Dynamics is leading the climate-tech revolution with its unique, patented, mobile, and modular technology platform to responsibly manage and use natural gas. The innovative products based on this platform enable customers to achieve economic value and environmental benefits by simplifying the compression and transfer of natural gas. Whether deployed at a remote pipeline job site, in an oil or gas production field, at a dairy renewable methane recovery project, or at a fleet yard hosting clean natural gas vehicles, its products can compress natural gas or renewable natural gas from any source for convenient transfer via pipeline or high-pressure tanks for environmentally effective use. And there is never a need for an external electrical power source or diesel for operation. For more information, visit ObDI media coverage or connect on Twitter (@OnboardDynamics), Facebook, and LinkedIn.