The oil and gas industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint while improving operational efficiency and maintaining safety in highly hazardous environments. As electrification becomes a key focus for sustainability efforts, the integration of renewable energy and energy storage is crucial. However, the unique challenges of oil fields, refineries, offshore rigs, pipelines, and terminals—ranging from safety risks to the harsh operating conditions of remote locations—require unique and innovative solutions.
Alsym Green offers a groundbreaking, non-lithium BESS solution that’s ideal for the extreme conditions common to the oil and gas industry. Its non-flammable design ensures safety and its low-cost, wide-duration, high-performance energy storage allows for better integration with existing infrastructure, reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and costs. Whether in upstream, midstream, or downstream operations, Alsym Green supports the oil and gas industry’s push toward greater sustainability and operational efficiency.
Enhanced safety in hazardous locations (HazLoc)
Safety is paramount in the oil and gas industry, where operations often involve flammable materials, volatile chemicals, and hazardous conditions. Refineries, oil fields, offshore platforms, and terminals are high-risk environments that demand robust safety measures. Lithium-ion BESS systems carry significant fire risks due to the potential for thermal runaway, where overheating or damage can lead to fires or explosions. In oil and gas facilities, the consequences of such incidents can be catastrophic. This is especially the case in offshore situations where it may be impossible to easily evacuate or quickly extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire.
Alsym Green eliminates these safety concerns with its non-flammable chemistry, which significantly reduces the risk of fire or explosion. This is particularly important in areas where there are heightened risks of exposure to high temperatures, flammable gases, or mechanical impacts. With Alsym Green, operators can safely deploy energy storage systems in close proximity to critical infrastructure, including pipelines, compressor stations, drilling platforms, and refineries, without the fear of thermal runaway.
Additionally, Alsym Green’s wide operational temperature range ensures that it can operate safely in extreme climates without requiring extensive fire suppression or cooling systems. This not only reduces safety risks but also simplifies compliance with regulatory requirements related to fire safety, making it easier to deploy energy storage solutions in the field. For oil and gas operators, Alsym Green provides a safe, reliable solution that protects both personnel and assets, even in the most challenging environments.
Improved reliability for harsh and remote environments
The oil and gas industry often operates in some of the world’s most remote and harsh environments. From the frigid temperatures of arctic drilling operations to the corrosive atmosphere of offshore platforms, energy storage solutions must be able to perform reliably under extreme conditions. Traditional lithium-ion batteries may struggle to maintain performance in these challenging environments, where temperature extremes, mechanical vibrations, and salt air can lead to degradation and failure.
Alsym Green is designed for durability and reliability in the most demanding environments. Its robust design and inherently non-flammable materials ensure that it can withstand the physical stresses typical of oil and gas operations. Whether deployed in a remote oil field, on an offshore platform, or at a midstream terminal, Alsym Green provides consistent and reliable energy storage, even in environments characterized by temperature swings, humidity, or saltwater exposure.
In remote locations, where grid access is limited or non-existent, Alsym Green provides a reliable source of power for critical systems such as pumps, compressors, sensors, and monitoring equipment. Its wide-duration energy storage (ranging from 2 to 110 hours of discharge) ensures that operations can continue uninterrupted, even during grid outages or when renewable energy generation is intermittent. Alsym Green’s ability to perform reliably in the most extreme environments helps oil and gas operators reduce downtime, enhance operational efficiency, and improve overall energy security.
Reduced fuel consumption and operational costs
Cost efficiency is a critical concern in the capital-intensive oil and gas industry. Energy storage solutions must not only deliver operational benefits but also offer long-term cost savings. Alsym Green stands out as a cost-effective solution due to its use of abundant, non-toxic materials that reduce both capital expenditure and operational costs. The system’s long service life and low maintenance requirements further enhance its cost efficiency, making it a financially viable option for oil and gas companies looking to optimize their energy infrastructure.
Alsym Green seamlessly integrates with existing energy systems, including diesel generators and renewable energy sources like solar and wind. In remote oil fields or offshore platforms, where diesel generators are the primary power source, Alsym Green can reduce fuel consumption by storing excess energy and discharging it when needed, lowering fuel costs and cutting emissions. Additionally, the ability to capture and store energy from secondary processes (such as a flare gas power generator) offers a sustainable way to reduce waste and improve overall energy efficiency in upstream operations.
The system’s flexible discharge range and fast recharge time (as little as 4 hours) make it well-suited for various midstream and downstream applications, such as powering compressor stations, refineries, and pipeline infrastructure. Alsym Green’s low levelized cost of storage (LCOS) and ability to provide consistent energy make it a valuable tool for oil and gas operators looking to enhance sustainability while controlling costs.
Use cases
- Reduced Fuel Consumption: In remote oil and gas operations, diesel generators are often the primary power source, but they come with high fuel costs and emissions. Alsym Green enables operators to reduce reliance on diesel by storing energy when demand is low and discharging it during peak consumption periods. This reduces fuel consumption, cuts operational costs, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, helping oil and gas companies meet their sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
- Storing Energy from Gas Flaring: Gas flaring is a common practice in upstream oil and gas operations, but it wastes valuable energy and contributes to environmental pollution. Many producers have begun installing power generators that can use this gas to create electricity. Alsym Green provides a solution for storing that energy, reducing emissions and improving overall energy efficiency. This approach not only supports sustainability efforts but also helps operators monetize previously wasted resources.
- Stabilizing Remote Microgrids: Remote oil and gas operations, such as offshore rigs, isolated oil fields, and pipeline hubs, often rely on microgrids to power their critical systems. These microgrids may be powered by a combination of diesel generators, renewable energy sources, and battery storage. Alsym Green plays a crucial role in stabilizing these microgrids by storing excess energy during periods of low demand and discharging it when energy demand spikes or when renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, are unavailable. By ensuring a reliable and continuous power supply, Alsym Green reduces the need for constant generator use, lowering fuel consumption and emissions. Its ability to operate effectively in extreme conditions ensures that remote micro-grids remain stable and resilient, even in the harsh environments where oil and gas operations typically take place.
- Electrification of Midstream and Downstream Processes: Midstream and downstream processes, such as pipeline transportation, refining, and petrochemical production, are energy-intensive and rely heavily on consistent power. Alsym Green can support the electrification of these processes by providing reliable, long-duration energy storage. This ensures that critical systems, such as pumps, compressors, and refining equipment, continue to operate efficiently, even during grid outages or renewable energy fluctuations. Alsym Green’s seamless integration with existing infrastructure also allows for hybridization with diesel generators and renewable energy sources, optimizing energy use and reducing costs.
- Reduced Environmental and Regulatory Risks: The oil and gas industry faces stringent environmental regulations, particularly around emissions and energy efficiency. By adopting Alsym Green, operators can reduce their carbon footprint by minimizing fuel consumption, capturing flared gas energy, and integrating renewable energy into their operations. The system’s non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials further support compliance with environmental regulations, reducing the risk of fines or operational delays due to non-compliance. Alsym Green also helps operators meet sustainability targets, which are increasingly important to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
- Rate Arbitrage: In regions where oil and gas facilities are connected to the grid, Alsym Green can enable rate arbitrage by storing energy during periods of low demand and low electricity rates and discharging it during peak demand times when rates are higher. This allows operators to optimize energy costs and maximize savings, especially in markets with fluctuating electricity prices. By capitalizing on rate arbitrage, oil and gas companies can reduce operational expenses while ensuring continuous power availability for critical processes.