Ongoing news coverage of Texas’ winter storm has highlighted the need for reliable and efficient technology to help maintain the stability of the power grid during all types of weather conditions. Our Dual Drive Technology (Dual Drive) was featured in the Wall Street Journal because of its unique ability to respond to changes in demand by seamlessly transitioning between natural gas and electricity, thereby staying online in the heat of summer and in freezing conditions of winter.
Enter Dual Drive Technologies
Dual Drive Technologies (Dual Drive), an independent company within the Energy Transfer family, offers an efficient hybrid natural gas compression system that reduces emissions through its patented ability to seamlessly transfer compression drivers between an electric motor and a natural gas engine, and vice-versa. This exclusive technology significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions without placing an undue burden on the electrical grid. The use of Dual Drive compression is a win-win for both the environment and the electrical grid.
How it Works
The Dual Drive compression systems is powered by both natural gas and electricity, allowing a smooth and instantaneous transition between the two. This allows the compressor to participate in Demand Response programs, as well as be available to utilities in the event of a degradation of the grid due to extremely high peaks or extreme weather events.
Results
Dual Drive technology is often used in ozone non-attainment areas to improve air quality by providing an ultralow-emission alternative for natural gas compression. In 2020, this one-of-a-kind technology allowed us to operate using electric power on our units over 80 percent of the time, reducing emissions by 630 thousand tons of carbon dioxide annually. That’s equivalent to removing 136 cars off the road. To further put that into perspective, the average American contributes 20 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The powerful combination of a natural gas engine and an electric motor make this patented design the most efficient in the marketplace.
Awards
Energy Transfer’s Dual Drive Technologies is honored to be the recipient of the 2021 Environmental Excellence Award from GPSA for innovative environmental solutions. Dual Drive was selected for its unique design which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increased function efficiency associated residue compression units in Energy Transfer’s gas processing plants from the Eagleford to the Delaware Basins of Texas, and everywhere in between.
At Energy Transfer, we recognize the importance of decreasing emissions and protecting our natural resources. We take pride in being good stewards of the environment by reducing our footprint, a practice we have incorporated into our daily operations for more than 10 years. Our Dual Drive is bridging the gap between utility grid stability and improved air quality through reduced emissions, while at the same time being an energy management tool to manage energy costs.
To learn more about Dual Drive Technologies, visit: www.dualdrivetechnologies.com
