Energy Transfer is always focused on operating our facilities safely, efficiently and responsibly, which means embracing technology that reduces emissions and broadens our mix of energy sources to power our operations.
Renewable Energy
While we rely mainly on electrical energy powered by natural gas, we also rely on energy that originates from solar and wind sources. Renewable energy now accounts for more than 20 percent of our overall power usage on any given day as a result of our recent power purchase in the Permian Basin in West Texas.
We have approximately 18,000 solar panels located at pipeline metering stations across the country. The combined output from these solar panels generates approximately 4,000 kilowatts of electrical power per day, running the natural gas chromatographs, measurement, controls, and communications equipment.
The combined output is enough to power approximately 127 homes per day (according to the U.S. EIA’s estimation of average household electricity use).
Landfill Power Generation
Energy Transfer owns and operates PEI Power (PEI), a gas-fired electric generating company in Pennsylvania that provides wholesale power to the PJM electrical grid area. PEI’s Archbald Power Station in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania generates 26.7 megawatts of electricity with landfill gas, and based on the PJM System Average has reduced CO2 emissions by 122,000 tons in 2019, or according to the EPA, the equivalent of removing 24,000 vehicles from the road.
PEI is able to generate enough electricity from landfill gas to power approximately 30,000 homes, making it one of the largest landfill gas renewable energy facilities in the United States. PEI partnered in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program, a voluntary public/private partnership encouraging cost effective landfill gas use as a way reduce methane emissions from landfills.
Technology and Emissions Reduction
In our continual pursuit of operational excellence, we always look for new and emerging technologies to improve our systems. We take pride in using the latest and most advanced technology to manage emissions and reduce environmental impacts.
We use FLIR Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) GFX320 cameras at nearly every equipment station we operate. These OGI cameras are the latest and best technology in the industry and are part of our rigorous leak detection and repair (LDAR) program. The OGI cameras improve safety, reduce costs, prevent larger containment issues and maintain equipment integrity. We go above and beyond the federally regulated inspection requirement by monitoring 85-90 additional sites several times a year as an added safety and prevention measure.
To further reduce our footprint, Energy Transfer uses approximately 12,000 low emission pneumatic devices throughout its 90,000 miles of pipeline systems. These devices effectively prevent approximately 71 tons (2.9 million scf) of methane emissions every day.
We also install thermal oxidizers at many of our 52 natural gas processing and sweetening plants. Thermal oxidizers reduce methane and VOC emissions by 98 percent, and in some cases by more than 99 percent. These installations are predominantly voluntary and exceed federal regulatory requirements.
Dual Drive Technologies
Within the Energy Transfer family is Dual Drive Technologies, an independent company that offers the industry a more efficient natural gas compression system and helps to reduce emissions while operating. Dual-drive compressors, which include a patented technology to allow the ability to switch operations between a natural gas engine and an electric motor, are often used in ozone non-attainment areas to reduce emissions of VOC, CO, CO2, and NOx. Dual Drive also helps to manage fuel costs and reduce electric surcharges by switching drivers during peak usages times.
