For this Company Spotlight, we interviewed Qnergy’s Chief Executive Officer, Ory Zik. Qnergy helps energy companies systematically and cost-effectively eliminate methane emissions at off- and on-grid production well pads. For more information on Qnergy, please visit www.qnergy.com.

Value Proposition: Qnergy’s PowerGen system provides its customers with the following unique features & benefits:

Proprietary Linear Engine: Despite the Stirling engine being invented in 1816, Qnergy’s PowerGen system is the only commercial Stirling engine-powered generator due to its proprietary linear design that is welded and hermetically sealed without rotating parts, friction, or lubrication. Further Qnergy’s proprietary firmware and electronic controls allow accurate engine control in highly variable operating conditions, especially for distributed methane sources such as remote gas operations, landfills and farms.
Operates on Raw Methane: Qnergy’s PowerGen systems do not require any gas processing and can directly operate on raw, unrefined methane from natural gas production and landfills.
Complete Methane Destruction: Gas feedstock composition is monitored and analyzed in real-time to control the burner, enabling Qnergy’s PowerGen system to combust nearly 100% of the methane. This results in significantly lower nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emissions (2-3% of comparable internal combustion engines) and a safer site.
High Reliability & Resilience: Qnergy’s installed base of PowerGen systems includes numerous units that have been operating 24/7 for over 5 years with minimal maintenance (no planned maintenance events expected within a unit’s first 10 years of operation). Further, numerous units are located in harsh environments and have withstood extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, sandstorms, and earthquakes.
Multiple Use Cases: The PowerGen systems supply utility-grade electricity to the site, and when combined with the compressed air pneumatics (CAP) solutions, the air package completely eliminates methane emissions. Further, the useful heat generated from Qnergy’s PowerGen systems can be utilized in waste heat recovery applications, such as glycol heat tracing.
Real-Time Reporting & Alerts: All systems may be connected to the Qnergy Dashboard which enables remote service/support and greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Further, Qnergy has deployed machine learning algorithms to help its customers identify operational anomalies in real-time and automatically alert the appropriate personnel.

Closing Thoughts: With conventional solutions focused on large, centralized projects that only represent 25% of the methane emissions abatement market, the need for distributed solutions like Qnergy’s is critical to reducing methane emissions (a third of all GHG emissions. Qnergy has already deployed its systems across over 1,500 installations that have accumulated over 20 million operating hours, and we look forward to following the company as they continue to grow in all three of the main methane-emitting industries (energy, waste, and agriculture).

Company Spotlights

August 2023