Kansas Gas Service | Oklahoma Natural Gas | Texas Gas Service
2021 Technology Development Annual Report
Innovation is the catalyst to move us toward a sustainable energy future. By investing in new natural gas technologies, ONE Gas is actively participating in helping shape the world’s goal of a lower carbon future. We’re committed to the journey towards a better tomorrow and we’re proud to collaborate with industry leaders on innovative technologies for the natural gas industry and its customers.
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT – BY THE NUMBERS
Total contributions to technology development over the past 15 years
Total contributions to technology development in 2021
Total number of technology development projects in which we invested in 2021
$1,156,260
84
More than
$11 million
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TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT – BY THE NUMBERS PROJECT BREAKDOWN: STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS
In 2021, we focused on projects that helped to reduce emissions and increase safety.
Emissions Reduction: • Hydrogen • Renewable Natural Gas • Carbon Capture
SAFETY
• Distributed Energy Resources
18%
Safety: • Advanced Leak Detection & Measurement
OTHER
13%
• Materials Testing • Injury Prevention • Pipeline Location Detection
EMISSIONS REDUCTION
69%
Other: • Demonstrations/Product Evaluation • Development of Safety Standards and Code Language • Training Material Creation
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
OUR COMMITMENT TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP
Company: Oklahoma Natural Gas
Over the past 15 years, Oklahoma Natural Gas has partnered with Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and contributed more than $11 million to the research and development of innovative natural gas technology solutions. This gives us the opportunity to stay current on the cutting-edge natural gas technologies that will allow us to deliver safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to all our customers.
In 2021, Oklahoma Natural Gas contributed
$675,000 to the research and development programs at GTI.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
$25K
OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
$675K
UTILIZATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
$250K
$400K
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GTI PARTNERSHIP
TOP PROJECTS:
Distributed Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Production and Cleanup Analyzing and improving the productivity of RNG production and cleanup technologies suitable for small-scale opportunities (100s – 1,000s lbs. waste/ day), which includes anerobic digestion and gasification technologies, economic modeling and performance analyses and methods of digester monitoring and control to improve the productivity of small-scale digesters.
High Hydrogen Burner for Commercial and Industrial Applications Designing, fabricating and testing an advanced fuel-flexible hydrogen/RNG burner in a commercial scale furnace.
Zero Emissions Process for Carbon Recovery Advancing synthetic air combustion process (SAC) by testing at industrial conditions and comparing calculated and experimental results with SAC and typical air-fired combustion. This could improve industrial boiler and furnace efficiency with natural gas while also lowering CO2 emissions and providing means to either capture CO2 or convert CO2 to valuable products.
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
Utilization Technology Development Projects focus on end-use equipment and appliances for the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation market segments. The goals of the projects are to: • Improve safety, reliability and resiliency of natural gas operations and the end user’s equipment • Save energy • Save consumers money • Achieve superior environmental performance • Integrate with renewable energy
UTILIZATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
TOP PROJECTS:
Commercial Food Service Burner Technology Carbon Recovery Including H2 Blending Determining the potential decarbonization of typical commercial food service appliances using improved burner technologies, control systems and blending
2021 Contribution:
$250,000
Funded Projects:
53
with hydrogen.
CleanO2 CARBiN-X Carbon Capture Evaluating the viability of distributed carbon capture (DCC) as a decarbonization pathway for the residential and commercial space.
Projects with a primary focus on reducing emissions
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GTI PARTNERSHIP
TOP PROJECTS:
Pipeline Safety Management System Consortium Developing 10 new e-learning training modules around the 10 essential elements of pipeline safety as defined by the American Petroleum Institute. This project will also implement quarterly pipeline safety management system (PSMS) webinar sessions to increase awareness and knowledge of PSMS program requirements.
Effect of Hydrogen-Blended Natural Gas on the Performance of Natural Gas Meters Regulators Examining the effects of hydrogen-blended natural gas on the performance of domestic natural gas meters in terms of measurement accuracy and intrinsic safety through extensive, long duration testing.
Natural Gas Meter Removal Tool Working to commercialize the natural gas meter removal tool, which was designed and tested in a previous project. This project will enhance the design of the natural gas meter removal tool prototype and bring it to market for the industry.
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
Operations Technology Development Develops, tests and implements new technology solutions related to natural gas operations and infrastructure. The projects improve the safety, reliability, operational efficiency and sustainability of natural gas systems. The goals of the projects are to: • Enhance safety • Enable operational excellence • Minimize environmental impact renewable energy
OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
TOP PROJECTS:
Smart Shutoff Technology for Commercial and Residential Buildings
2021 Contribution:
$400,000
Partnering with the California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide the hardware and software components for a full solution smart safety shut-off system for use in residential and commercial structures. The four main safety system components that will be included for testing and demonstrating are smart methane detectors, smart shutoff valves, the communication network and user interface software.
Advanced Tools for Methane Emission Rate Estimation Developing an advanced tool to estimate emission rate by incorporating spatial methane concentration measurements. This project will help us reduce emissions by having more accurate measurements.
Funded Projects:
27
Projects with a primary focus on reducing emissions
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GTI PARTNERSHIP
TOP PROJECTS:
Demand Recirculation Control Technology Assessment D’MAND KONTROLS is an on-demand recirculation control system that can be installed on a water heating system to determine the potential natural gas savings. When installed, hot water is available on-demand and isn’t required to be recirculated 24 hours a day, which could potentially save energy and money. The field evaluations for this technology concluded in January 2022 and a final report is expected in March 2022. Preliminary data has indicated a reduction in both gas and electric consumption as a result of this technology.
Emerging Technology Program Works to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of energyefficient technologies in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors
To learn more about the Gas Technology Institute, visit: www.gti.energy
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
2021 Contribution:
$25,000
ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NORTH AMERICAN GAS HEAT PUMP COLLABORATIVE
Company: Oklahoma Natural Gas – Energy Efficiency Program Continuing to develop the advanced gas heat pump technology and incentive programs for water and space heating to help accelerate market adoption when made available. Gas heat pumps are more energy-efficient and customers could save significantly on their energy bills while also reducing emissions.
Contribution: $106,260
In 2021, the pandemic and other economic events affected project timelines which resulted in delays due to shutdowns, supply issues and staffing shortages. We anticipate the project timelines will realign and get back on track in 2022.
HYBLEND™
Company: ONE Gas Testing pipeline materials in varying concentrations of hydrogen and pressures to assess their susceptibility to hydrogen effects. The project key deliverables will include a publicly accessible tool that characterizes the costs of blending and its potential to reduce emissions relative to alternative pathways like RNG. It will also assess the risks of blending to a pipeline system given the materials in use, age of the system and blend concentration.
Contribution: $100,000 Projects with a primary focus on reducing emissions
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ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS H2@SCALE – HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Company: ONE Gas Establishing commercial hydrogen production, distribution, storage and consumption and creating the first dedicated renewable hydrogen network to demonstrate infrastructure safety and reliability. The project is moving into the demonstration phase, which will be held at the JJ Pickle Research Campus at The University of Texas and is served by Texas Gas Service. Site construction should conclude in the Summer 2022. Additionally, we’re working with GTI on reviewing the viability of utilizing Texas Gas Service’s natural gas delivery system in Central Texas for increased hydrogen integration. The project will identify hydrogen transportation fueling opportunities and potential fleet operations, particularly for heavy-duty vehicle operations that may utilize on-site hydrogen generation technologies.
Contribution: $250,000
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) LOCOMOTIVE FIELD DEMONSTRATION
Company: ONE Gas Designing, building, testing, and operating a pre-production, CNG hybrid line-haul locomotive to demonstrate the Cummins natural gas near-zero emission engine in rail service for the first time. This project is delayed approximately one year because of the effects of the pandemic. Overall, this project will help from an emissions reduction and fuel efficiency standpoint.
Contribution: $25,000 Projects with a primary focus on reducing emissions
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2021 Technology Development Annual Report
CONCLUSION
“We are all stakeholders in the future of our planet. The advancement of natural gas technologies is an essential component to reaching a cleaner energy future. Investing in technology development projects to further reduce emissions for our enduse customers is vital. By working together, we can ensure reliable and affordable energy is accessible to everyone and make a real difference for our customers and local communities.” Jason Ketchum Vice President, Commercial, Rates and Regulatory Affairs
To learn more about our company’s technology development initiatives, please email techdev@onegas.com 13
Kansas Gas Service | Oklahoma Natural Gas | Texas Gas Service
Revised 06/22