Case Histories

Design and Analysis of a Natural Gas Micro-Grid in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
An alternative business strategy for gas producers that cannot secure transmission pipeline access would be to sell natural gas locally, direct to selected end-use customers under long-term contracts.  Depending on the location of the gas wells and the end-use customer, such a business strategy would require a traditional gathering system, but the gathering system might feed into a distribution pipeline, or direct to a customer co-located with the natural gas producing area.  Following a similar system in the electric power sector, we will refer to such a local gas production and distribution system as a “micro-grid” for natural gas. (Read More)

Small Water Treatment Company
In the Spring of 2010, the Ben Franklin Technology Partnership CNP engaged with a small water treatment company located in Franklin, PA.  The company had developed a new method for treating the frac water effluent from Marcellus wells that dramatically reduced the amount of dissolved solids in the water.  Presently, most of this waste water is diluted to an acceptable level by discharging it into a larger water flow like a river.  At the moment, the scale of Marcellus activity, which has not yet reached its peak, is approaching the limit of available water flows to dilute the water to safe, acceptable levels.  Without another approach, the waste water will have to be transported to other areas, stored, or treated with expensive methods. (Read More)