ARPA-E hosted a workshop entitled “Sensing and Mitigation Strategies for Systematic Improvements in the Efficiency of Natural Gas Production” from Monday, April 22, 2013 through Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in Fort Collins, CO. 

The workshop sought to envision innovative research paths forward for the development of disruptive technologies that can significantly reduce the methane emissions associated with natural gas production while simultaneously ensuring that natural gas is available as a fuel solution that enhances energy security, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Participants were expected to lend their expertise to help establish a range of technology solutions, research paths, and associated technology performance targets for ARPA-E to consider.

The specific goals of the workshop included:

• Identification of the most promising innovative technological paths for reducing methane emissions from production of natural gas;
• Identification of innovative low cost, high reliability methane detection technologies, systems, and strategies;
• Identification of innovative methane mitigation technologies and strategies;
• Prioritization of new concepts based on cost-effectiveness, ease of integration, and effectiveness;
• Identification of appropriate performance metrics; and
• Developing a cooperative and collaborative environment for team building between relevant technology communities towards system development and deployment

View the full agenda (pdf). Proceedings from the meeting are summarized below:

Day 1 - Methane Detection - Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Welcome & Introduction to ARPA-E

Eric Rohlfing, ARPA-E

ARPA-E Vision for METHANE Program: Motivations, Objectives & Structure

Bryan Willson, ARPA-E

Participant 10 min Presentations

• Phil LaRochelle  – Results from ARPA-E SNIFFER Workshop
• David Allen, Environmental Defense Fund – EDF Study Findings
• Radislav Potrailo, General Electric  - Microsensors
• Marina Kalyuzhnaya, University of Washington – Biological sensing
• John Bruno, Thor Labs - Laser technology/Optical Spectroscopy
• Eric Von Giesson, Defense Threat Reduction Agency - Unmanned aerial vehicles for sensing
• Chip Miller, NASA JPL – Satellite based sensing
• Bill Calahan, Earth Networks – Data fusion and analytics

Breakout 1: Enabling Components

Room A: Low cost, massively deployable single point sensors

Room B: Medium cost, high accuracy sensors; remote sensing

Room C: Commercial structures; Data fusion and analytics

Breakout 1 Report Out

Breakout 2: System Approaches

Three parallel breakouts exploring sensing systems & commercialization models

Breakout 2 Report Out

Day 2 - Methane Detection - Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Welcome & Introduction to ARPA-E

Eric Rohlfing, ARPA-E

ARPA-E Vision for METHANE Program: Motivations, Objectives & Structure

Bryan Willson, ARPA-E

Participant Presentations

• Jack Lewnard, Gas Technology Institute - Small scale power, fuel cells
• Uttam Ghoshal, Sheetak - Small scale power, thermoelectrics
• Zoran Filipi, Clemson University – Small, high reliability engines
• Jim McCoy, Hoerbiger – Modern flares
• Jeremy Semrau, University of Michigan –Low temperature biological oxidation
• Pat McGrath, Booz Allen Hamilton – Low temperature catalytic oxidation
• Owen Zinaman, NREL -  Operating well sites as a grid supplement

Breakout 1: Enabling Components

Room A: Reliable solid state <3kW onsite power; Well-pad microgrids

Room B: Alternative solutions to flaring and venting; Liquids unloading

Room C: Low temperature oxidation

Breakout 1 Report Out

Breakout 2: Natural Gas System of the Future

Three parallel breakouts exploring Natural Gas system redesigns

Breakout 2 Report Out