What recovered energy is:
- Recovered energy is energy that would otherwise go to waste. It is also called waste heat energy or recovered energy generation (REG).
- Recovered energy is used to produce electricity.
Recovered energy in North Dakota:
Heat Recovery Unit Goes Into Operation: Learn more about how REG works in North Dakota. Video courtesy of Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
- North Dakota has the first recovered energy generation (REG) system that uses the Northern Border Pipeline, which is a natural gas pipeline that runs about 1,400 miles through several states and into Canada.
- The pipeline angles across the southwestern part of North Dakota.
- While natural gas is being transported through a pipeline, it needs to be compressed (its molecules packed together) every 40 to 100 miles in order to keep it flowing through the pipeline.
- Compressor stations are located along the pipeline route.
- The natural gas is compressed by using special turbines.
- Hot exhaust is created in this process.
- The exhaust temperature ranges from 850⁰ to 950⁰ F (Water boils at 212⁰ F).
- If this exhaust is not recovered, it goes to waste.
- The exhaust temperature ranges from 850⁰ to 950⁰ F (Water boils at 212⁰ F).
- Hot exhaust is created in this process.
St. Anthony Heat Recovery Project A closer look at Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s St. Anthony REG project. Photo courtesy of Basin Electric Power Cooperative. - Ormat Technologies developed a way to use waste exhaust from Northern Border Pipeline to generate electricity.
- Basin Electric, a North Dakota utilities company, purchases the electricity from three REG sites in North Dakota: Manning, St. Anthony, and Zeeland.
- Each site produces 5.5 megawatts of electricity for a total of 16.5 megawattsOne megawatt of electricity can provide power to approximately 800 homes. (3 x 5.5 = 16.5).
- Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) owns an REG system near Glen Ullin, North Dakota.
- This heat-recovery generation station generates 5.3 megawatts of electricity.
- Basin Electric, a North Dakota utilities company, purchases the electricity from three REG sites in North Dakota: Manning, St. Anthony, and Zeeland.
How recovered energy affects the people of North Dakota:
Compressor Stations in the USA 2008 map of natural gas pipelines and compressor stations for the United States. Map courtesy of U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- Gas pipelines located in North Dakota are a ready source for recovered energy generation (REG).
- REG is low cost, and no fuel is needed.
- No pollution results from producing electricity by REG.
- Recovered energy provides a reliable source of power.
- Power would still be available during blackouts.
- REG is a new technology with promising job opportunities in a growing industry.