CARRIE KELLY The Pipeline


After an 18-year career as an engineer in Alberta’s oilpatch, Darryl West is now his own boss by turning an invention into a business.


The Power Pod is a new alternative to power generation sold through West’s business, Evergreen Energy Technologies.


Assembled in Calgary, Evergreen’s Power Pod technology addresses a significant oil and gas industry problem, which is lost revenue and high emissions from the gas that vents from pneumatic pumps. Since most wells are not on the electric grid, many companies use natural-gas-driven pneumatic pumps to inject methanol. That type of pump uses the pressure energy of the produced gas to operate the pump and vents the spent gas to the atmosphere. The energy that could have been derived from combustion is wasted.


The emissions of the Power Pod are a fraction of those that come from pneumatic pumps, according to West.


“In addition to being clean and efficient, it is also very quiet,” he says.


That’s why it has been a hit with security companies.


Energy companies are using the Power


Pod to replace pneumatic devices at well sites. The equipment is contained in a climate-controlled enclosure to ensure operability in extreme weather.


The device is often used for chemical injection, SCADA communications power and instrument air compressors.


Evergreen Energy Technologies currently has a patent pending for the Power Pod and received some funding from the Alberta government through its Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund.


The pod received CSA electrical approval last June, allowing West to really move his business into high gear. Now even the Government of Canada is a customer.


While some oil and gas companies opt for solar power to benefit the environment, it’s not realistic in some northern locations, says West. But the Power Pod, which uses a methanol fuel cell, is not necessarily out to replace solar panels on well sites.


“We really don’t look at solar as a competitor. We are looking to add reliability to solar. The Power Pod is an easy add-on,” he says.


Evergreen developed a hybrid system combining direct methanol fuel cells and


The Power Pod, distributed by Evergreen Energy Technologies in Calgary, is being used to replace pneumatic devices at well sites.


Photo courtesy Evergreen Energy Technologies.


solar as a power source. The solar cell provides power when it can and is backed up by the fuel cell during times of low solar flux.


Evergreen also offers a more compact, lighter, portable version of the Power Pod system to provide reliable electric power. It can be placed outdoors or even in the trunk of a parked vehicle for months of automatic recharging. Applications include security surveillance, wildlife camera systems, or mobile office- command post operations.


“Total Compressed Air Solutions”


Servicing all industries in Western Canada. 415 East Lake Road Airdrie, AB


16138-114 Ave NW, Edmonton AB 403-945-1988


780-484-5311 www.nwequipltd.com


Northwest Equipment Ltd was established in 1979 and is now the largest supplier of compressed air equipment and services in Western Canada . The company's depth of experience and knowledge makes it possible to offer compressed air solutions for a wide array of applica- tions, from vacuum to 6000 psig. Experience and knowledge in- cludes: • Industrial Compressed Air • Pipe-line Testing Packages • Blowers and Vacuum Units


• Instrument Air Packages • Air Drying and Filtration • Custom Packaging


• 24/7 Service, Parts and Installations • Nitrogen Generation • Air Audits


For further information send email to:


info@nwequipltd.com 41034171•04/29/11 4 WESTERN CANADIAN PIPELINE | SPRING 2011 • Start-up / Commissioning


SAFETY LEADERSHIP AWARDS


For many who spend their day at the office, staying safe is something that never needs to cross their mind. But for those working on the rigs, it is something they continually need to be conscious about.


The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors presented safety leadership awards in Edmonton April 9.


The awards were presented to service rig contractors that performed above their peer average based on their total recordable incident frequency for 2010.


In Class C, contractors that worked up to 100,000 hours in 2010, Grimes Well Servicing received an award.


In Class B, contractors that worked from 100,001 to 250,000 hours, the award went to Roll’n Oilfield Industries.


In Class A, for contractors that worked more than 250,001 manhours in 2010, the award was presented to Precision Well Servicing. Honourable mention went to Concord Well Servicing.


NEW


EDMONTON LOCATION


Power Pod: invention turned business


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