Fuel Cell Solutions for Powering Oil and Gas Systems

SFC Energy (Germany), offering mobile and remote power solutions based on fuel cells, and the Oil & Gas system integration specialist Ensol Systems (Canada) have announced their cooperation. Ensol Systems integrates the EFOY Pro fuel cells of SFC into chemical injection, air compression and independent power packages for oil and gas pipelines and facilities isolated from the grid.

Providing reliable off-grid power to instrumentation and electronic devices servicing and monitoring oil and gas pipelines and facilities is a major challenge for the operators. The solutions used up to now - solar modules or generators - both have limitations in these demanding applications, especially in the cold, dark Canadian winters. EFOY Pro fuel cells ensure 100% power availability in a wide temperature range from +45 °C down to -20 °C, in any weather, season or climate. Integrated into an insulated and specially engineered Ensol enclosure, they will produce reliable power to extremely cold temperatures of -40 °C. All EFOY integrated products manufactured by Ensol Systems have passed CSA and ETL Electrical Equipment Inspections and are engineered for use in the harshest environments.

As a fuel EFOY Pro uses methanol, an alcohol also called wood alcohol. This environmentally friendly technology can even be used in protected areas and natural reserves. EFOY Pro fuel cells are a very sustainable source of energy, supporting the oil and gas industry in its efforts towards diminishing CO2 emissions. They eliminate the propane/methane venting and waste required for pneumatic power or thermal electric generators.

“System outages due to power failures are a severe problem in the oil & gas industry, as they may adversely affect production, cause data loss and negatively impact logistics costs. Just the cost associated with sending operators to remote sites to replace batteries or address a generator failure is very significant,” says Brad Scott of Ensol Systems Inc. “The EFOY Pro fuel cell really is an enabling solution for our customers, as it will produce power independent of the temperature, the weather or the season. Fuel logistics and installation are easy, and the EFOY Pro systems can be used anywhere.”

“The partnership with Ensol Systems is a big step for us in entering the demanding oil and gas markets,” says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG. “It demonstrates the growing acceptance of our reliable, environmentally friendly systems in applications, where safety and reliability are of utmost importance.”